Technical Assistance for Textile and Clothing SMEs – VERDEinMED Proof of Concept Report
In the VERDEinMED project (co-funded by the EU Interreg Euro-MED programme), specialised Technical Assistance Services (TAS) were provided to beneficiary Textile and Clothing (T&C) SMEs in the participating Mediterranean countries. The corresponding report, prepared within the framework of the project, presents the methodology and final synthesis of the services provided.
TAS consisted of a structured sequence of steps that ultimately engaged a wide range of stakeholders, including manufacturers and end‑of‑life operators of the Textile and Clothing (T&C) sector, thus promoting a comprehensive approach to sustainability. Beneficiaries were mainly small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs), including start-ups and social enterprises. TAS providers were mainly research and technology organisations and consultancy companies, carefully selected and supervised by transnational mentors drawn from the Project Partners (PPs) and Associated Partners (APs). The TAS activities were delivered in ongoing mentoring schemas (or as ongoing mentoring) through a mix of webinars, face‑to‑face meetings, individual counselling sessions, group workshops and remote support, ensuring effective engagement and meaningful progress toward market readiness. TAS was divided into three phases that ensured a structured approach:
- Target Analysis and selection of companies to receive TAS. This phase aimed to identify and thoroughly understand the enterprises that could benefit from the Technical Assistance Service (TAS), ensuring that the support delivered would be both relevant and impactful. For each pilot country, the specific needs and potential of target organizations were identified and analysed. This process was informed by the background analysis conducted under Activity 1.2, namely the Regional Reports on the State of the Art of Textile Waste Management and Recycling, which also provided guidance for defining the scope of the support service. To gain deeper insights, questionnaires, focus groups, and targeted interviews were used.
- TAS designing. The second phase focused on identifying the Technical Assistance Services (TAS) to be delivered and selecting the relevant experts. Local mentors were selected based on their expertise in relevant technical areas and their strong understanding of the local context, industry practices, and regulatory frameworks. Their knowledge of regional conditions was considered essential for tailoring the TAS to the specific needs of enterprises operating within each pilot territory. In addition, transnational mentors were selected from the Project Partners (PPs) and Associated Partners (APs) to provide broader expertise and cross-border perspectives, enabling the project to address challenges extending beyond national contexts. Their expertise complemented that of the local mentors, forming a comprehensive support framework for the participating enterprises. Quality assurance mechanisms were introduced to monitor and enhance the effectiveness of the TAS.
- TAS Implementation. Tailored technical support was delivered based on the specific needs of each enterprise, covering the following areas:
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- Support services for product sustainable innovation (ecodesign, second-life products, material innovation)
- Support services for process sustainable innovation (circular innovation, material recovery, recycling, waste minimization)
- Product/process sustainability certifications (LCA, EcoLabel, EPD)
- New international legal and regulatory standards & labelling (GOTS, OEKO-TEX, Fair Trade)
- Climate Change Services (carbon accounting, net-zero strategies, climate risk assessment)
- Circular Economy Services (closed-loop systems, waste reduction, EPR systems, take-back schemes)
- Certifications and Policies Services (sustainability policies, compliance, certification training)
- Manufacturing Systems Optimization (lean manufacturing, energy-efficient machinery, monitoring systems)
- Energy Management Services (energy audits, renewable energy integration, analytics-based optimization)
- Environmental Legislation Compliance (legal audits, business compliance, trade regulations)
- Sustainable Business Models Development (corporate sustainability strategies, stakeholder engagement, green innovation)
Each phase built on the insights and foundations laid in the previous phase, promoting a seamless and comprehensive approach. This iterative process ensures that the support provided is not only relevant and targeted but also continually adapted to the evolving needs of businesses. As a result, the TAS framework provides a robust and adaptable system that drives tangible progress toward a circular economy in the T/C sector.
Finally, the report presents case-specific TAS impacts and feedback on lessons learned from its implementation.
This document represents Deliverable 2.2.1_Summary report of Proof of Concept (POC) – Technical Assistance Service (TAS), part of Activity 2.2 – Proof of Concept (POC) Needs Assessment, within Work Package WP 2 – Orientation of demand towards conscious consumption in the VERDEinMED project.
