KNIB: Tackling Textiles Grant: Skills and Innovation (Year Three)

Overview

The Tackling Textiles Skills and Innovation Grant offers funding of between £1,000 and £3,000 to support innovative projects that focus on textile repair, reuse, and waste prevention. By promoting green skills and supporting local businesses in adopting sustainable practices, the grant aims to extend the life of textile products, minimise waste and embed reuse and repair across the fashion and wider textiles industry.

What are they looking to fund?

The Tackling Textile Skills and Innovation Grant will support and fund projects that can meet at least two of the following criteria:

A. It supports the development of new skills around reuse, repair and reimagine of clothing and textiles within the wider community.

B. It encourages individuals and communities to reduce the amount of clothing and textile waste generated.

C. It provides jobs, skills, or training opportunities for individuals and/or communities which support the reduction of textile waste.

D. It explores new approaches to tackling textile waste which could include IT, Fabric Choice and Design, Learning/e-learning, Sustainable Garment Design or Research (this list is not exhaustive).

Who Can Apply?

They would welcome applications from the following types of organisations:

• Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (under 250 employees)
• Social Enterprises
• Charities
• Not-for-Profit Organisations
• Community & Voluntary groups

Please note: The grant is not currently open to applications from councils, schools and higher education institutions, sports clubs, churches, youth groups, unconstituted groups, or large enterprises with more than 250 employees.

Eligible Project Types

The Tackling Textiles Skills and Innovation Grant supports projects that focus on waste prevention, reuse, repair and reimagine.

Waste Prevention: Financial help to develop innovative design strategies that minimise waste right from the outset.

Reuse and Repair: Focus on extending the life of products by offering or developing existing repair services or encouraging consumers to reuse items.

Reimagine: Develop forward-thinking initiatives that address the entire lifecycle of products—from production to post-consumer disposal. Whether it's through take-back schemes, upcycling initiatives, or other innovative solutions, these efforts can help organisations lead the way in creating a more sustainable textile industry.

They also encourage collaborative initiatives that bring together retailers, communities, and other organisations to innovate and drive forward sustainable solutions.

Value of grants available

Between £1000 and £3000