European SMEs invited to circular textile delegation to Colombia
European SMEs with circular solutions for the textile and fashion industry are invited to join a cleantech delegation to Medellín, Colombia, 27–30 July 2026.
The delegation connects European innovators with Colombian textile companies seeking circular and sustainable solutions and new collaboration opportunities. The visit will take place during Colombiamoda, the leading fashion industry event in Latin America.
The initiative is organised by the International Cleantech Network as part of the Coltexcircular project, funded by the EU AL-INVEST Verde programme.
What is the opportunity?
The delegation aims to connect European innovators with Colombian textile and fashion SMEs working to transition to more circular production systems.
Participants will have the opportunity to:
Meet Colombian textile companies seeking circular solutions
Present technologies, services, or business models
Explore collaboration and market opportunities in Latin America
Participate in business matchmaking and networking activities
Visit textile manufacturing facilities
Join workshops on circular textile solutions
Who should apply?
ICN is looking for European companies, startups, SMEs, and scale-ups offering innovative solutions for the textile and fashion value chain.
Relevant solutions may include:
Circular materials and fibres
Textile recycling technologies
Eco-design and sustainable product development
Resource and energy efficiency solutions
Digital solutions for circular value chains
Circular business models such as reuse or take-back systems
Waste management and industrial symbiosis solutions
Applicants must:
Be a European company
Offer solutions relevant to the textile or fashion sector
Demonstrate experience or potential in circular economy solutions
Be interested in collaboration or market opportunities in Latin America
Be available to participate in the full delegation programme, 27–30 July 2026
Delegation programme (tentative)
The delegation will take place in Medellín, Colombia, and the programme will include:
Participation in Colombiamoda
Business matchmaking with Colombian SMEs
Industry roundtables and networking sessions
Site visits to textile manufacturing facilities
Workshops and knowledge exchange on circular textile solutions
Financial support
Selected companies will receive partial financial support to facilitate participation in the delegation.
The project will cover:
Round-trip flights between Europe and Colombia for one representative per company. Flights will be arranged and purchased by the project consortium.
Up to €985 per company to support participation costs, including:
– Accommodation
– Local transport
– Meals and daily expenses.
Each selected company is responsible for organising and booking its own accommodation, local transportation, and other daily expenses using the financial support provided.
If a participant withdraws after flights have been purchased, the participant or their organisation will be required to reimburse 100% of the travel costs already incurred.
The support is provided under project rules requiring 20% co-financing from the participating company.Selection
Up to four European companies will be selected to participate in the delegation.
Applications will be evaluated based on:
• Innovation and technology relevance
• Market relevance for textile SMEs
• Sustainability impact
• Collaboration potential
• Scalability
As places are limited, companies are encouraged to apply early.
How to apply
Apply via the online form:
Applicants must download and sign the delegation Terms of Reference document and attach it when submitting their application.
Application deadline: 15 April 2026
Selected companies will be notified by the end of April 2026.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the delegation or the application process, you are very welcome to contact us:
Ana Margarida Sousa Torres, Project Manager, amt@cleancluster.dk
Maria Dominguez, Senior Project Manager, mad@cleancluster.dk
