Eligible companies can receive expert support for implementing a circular business model or technology up to 3000 euro! Participation is free of charge.

Who is eligible to apply?

The "Vouchers for Transition to a Circular Economy" initiative is open to all companies registered in Bulgaria and operating in the textile and fashion sectors. 

The initiative is suitable for companies that have not yet implemented circular technologies or business models but are eager to undergo circular transformation, as well as for companies in the early stages of implementing circular technologies or transitioning to a circular business model, aiming to develop a successful sustainable business.

What are the benefits of participating in the initiative?

-        Direct expert support -  free consultations tailored to your business context, helping you overcome specific challenges;

-        Inclusion in a community and networking with industry peers, potential partners, and investors from various European countries.

-        Presentation of your company at project events to European project partners and international experts in business management, human resource development and training, and different instruments for business financing;

-        Opportunities for promotion and recognition, reinforcing your company's image as committed to circular economy principles;

-        Possibility to participate in exchange visits and networking events organized by project partners in Slovenia and Austria in 2025.

What type of expert support can the vouchers be used for?

Vouchers can be used for the following types of services, with the list being non-exhaustive. Depending on the company’s needs, additional services may be provided:

-        Sustainable management consulting

-        Consulting on the implementation of circular models

-        Business plan and strategy development consulting

-        Expert support for business idea development

-        Marketing consulting

-        Consulting on suitable funding sources

-       Sustainability and circular economy management and reporting systems

-       Consulting to improve product eco-friendliness standards

-       Consulting to improve energy efficiency

-       ESG consulting

-       Consulting and expert support in waste management.

Don’t hesitate—fill out the application form now! 

Application form: https://forms.gle/69dXQnXmXE9GcZKk7

The number of companies that will receive financial assistance and expert support is limited. 

Each company can use only one voucher! The voucher is non-redeemable and can only be used within the framework of the initiative.

Application deadline: 10 January 2025.

Notification of results: 13 January 2025.

Our experts are ready to assist you. 

Contact us at:  office@rapiv.org

Additional information to assist potential applicants:

What does "circular economy" mean?

A circular economy focuses on reducing waste generation and maintaining the economic value of products, materials, and resources for as long as possible. Waste reduction can take various forms, from minimizing the use of natural resources and energy to redesigning products for better recycling or fostering cooperation between businesses where waste from one industry serves as an input for another.

Successful examples of circular business models in Bulgaria's textile and fashion industry:

-   Fabele a brand of FABELE Ltd., focuses on sustainable or "slow fashion".  The company's main mission is to create eco-friendly, high-quality, and ethically produced clothing, contributing to a better and healthier lifestyle. The collections are produced in minimal quantities with the least possible amount of unused materials. Fabric scraps are recycled to create accessories and other products. The company's products are made from natural materials, and their design is optimized for easier recycling. The principles of sustainability are also applied to packaging and delivery, using biodegradable materials.

-    REVIVE apparel REVIVE apparel is a sustainable fashion brand, born from the desire for an eco-friendly lifestyle and a passion for fashion shared by two young women - Gabriela and Gabriela. The brand offers upcycled clothing and accessories created from reused fabrics sourced from second-hand clothes. Reusing textiles minimizes the amount of waste sent to landfills and reduces the need for producing new materials, thereby saving valuable resources. The brand's main goal is to inspire more people to live with environmental consciousness through fashion. REVIVE apparel's first collection is made from repurposed denim. The designs are limited edition, and the production method ensures each item is unique, providing a sustainable alternative without compromising on style. REVIVE apparel - where fashion meets sustainability.

-    Recycling of used mattresses and generation of a secondary product– REmatrak Ltd. is a company engaged in the collection and mechanical recycling of used mattresses. It focuses on preparing mattresses suitable for secondary use and generating secondary products. The company establishes contracts for the collection of old mattresses, conducts informational campaigns, and organizes personal meetings with interested stakeholders.

Successful examples of circular technologies in Bulgaria's textile and fashion industry:

 -  Neoprene Recycling for Circular Economy - WavErest Ltd. is a small company specializing in the production of neoprene apparel for water sports and fashion products under its own brand "Runawave", as well as OEM products for over 30 international brands. Over the past six years, the company has been developing and testing a mechanical recycling process that offers a true circular solution not only for the waste generated from its own production but also for all neoprene wetsuits and other neoprene products at the end of their life cycle. With the support of Norway Grants, WavErest Ltd. managed to turn this concept into reality by creating an innovative facility. This installation is the first of its kind and enables hundreds of tons of neoprene wetsuits and neoprene waste to be diverted from landfills and transformed into new, useful products.

-    Goose Down and Feather Recycling Technology - Down Creators is a company that has developed a patented technology for recycling down and feathers. The technology is designed to create an insulating material in the form of wadding, composed of natural fibers from down and feathers, which is used in the textile industry. The implementation of this invention allows for the more complete utilization of waste products from bird feathers, while the resulting material has high insulation properties, comparable to those of natural down.

-    Clothing Recycling Technology  - Eurotex Ltd. operates under the TexCycle brand, with a large-scale facility for recovering worn fibers. The sorting process ensures consistent output in terms of color, length, and composition. The facility can process up to 20 tons of textiles daily, recycling them into new spinning fibers or nonwoven textiles for insulation and felt production.