Boosting Competitiveness and Innovation Capacity of SMEs through creative partnerships and the use of new technologies

This call for proposals under the Single Market Programme (SMP COSME) for the WORTH Partnership Project, aims at boosting the competitiveness and innovation capacity of SMEs through creative partnerships and the use of new technologies. The call focuses on two sectors: fashion and home decoration. 

Objectives and Themes

The call aims at enhancing the competitiveness, sustainability, and innovation of European design-intensive creative and lifestyle industries.
Relevant themes are: Circular economy, high-value solutions, advanced digitized manufacturing, smart materials, social innovation, and heritage preservation.

Topics: 

• Fashion (textiles, clothing, footwear, leather goods, jewellery, fashion accessories).
• Home decoration (furniture, home accessories, interior design, architecture)

Activities

Relevant activities are: matchmaking, business support, mentoring, networking, and communication.

Funding

Direct financial support to partnerships, ranging from EUR 15,000 to EUR 25,000 per partnership. 

Total Budget: EUR 4,500,000, EUR 2,250,000 per topic.

Expected Impact

Support at least 75 partnerships, provide mentoring and incubation programs, enable cross-sectoral cooperation, and promote creative entrepreneurship.

Eligibility and Requirements

Eligible Participants are legal entities from EU Member States and associated countries.
The Consortium should be composed of minimum three and maximum eight independent entities from at least three different eligible countries.
Partnerships must be transnational, involving at least two different eligible countries, and include at least one SME and one designer or creative professional.

Timeline

• Deadline for submission: 3 April 2025 – 17:00:00 CET (Brussels)
• Evaluation: April-June 2025
• Information on evaluation results: July 2025
• GA signature: September-October 2025