British Council and the University of the Arts London Invite Proposals for Sustainable Fashion, Textiles, and Tech

The British Council, the UK's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, has announced an open call for Indian designers, design entrepreneurs, and SMEs to participate in the New Landscapes India: R&D Grant Scheme, in partnership with the University of the Arts London.

The New Landscapes Catalyst Grant Scheme, led by the Fashion, Textiles, and Technology Institute at the University of the Arts London, in collaboration with the British Council, acknowledges the need for India's fashion, textiles, and technology industries to reassess their impact on society and the environment. Since its inception in 2021, this international programme has been promoting innovation and research in sustainable fashion, textiles, and technology.

The British Council's Architecture Design Fashion team plays a crucial role in creating opportunities for India's design sector, focusing on addressing global challenges and exploring the social and cultural impact of various design disciplines.

Alison Barrett MBE, Director India, British Council, said, “We are thrilled to introduce New Landscapes India, which underscores our commitment to promoting sustainable practices and international collaboration in addressing the environmental challenges that the industry faces. We are dedicated to facilitating cross-border research and development projects and promoting knowledge exchange in the design sector. Our partnership with UAL is an exciting opportunity to encourage Indian designers, entrepreneurs, and SMEs to engage in collaborative innovation in sustainable fashion and technology.”

India, as a global leader in fashion and textiles, is renowned for its rich heritage and innovative practices. However, the industry also faces environmental challenges, particularly in dyeing and finishing processes, leading to concerns about pollution and resource consumption. The New Landscapes India: R&D Grant Scheme is a three-year initiative that aims to encourage collaboration in sustainable fashion, textiles, and technology between stakeholders in India and the UK. It will provide seven grants of up to £7,000 each for collaborative projects between Indian SMEs, designers, researchers, entrepreneurs, institutions, collectives, or non-profits and their UK counterparts, with support from the British Council.

Professor Jane Harris, Director of the University of the Arts London Fashion, Textiles and Technology Institute (UAL FTTI) said. “This next phase of collaboration between the British Council India and the UAL FTTI will continue to address the wider apparel and textile industry’s relationship with climate change. FTTI will facilitate a supported risk-taking R&D culture, enabling an exchange of knowledge and methods of designing and producing in a more sustainable and socially engaged way. FTTI’s work to date with small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) across fashion, textiles and technology sectors, is seeing a new type of future with SMES as the driving force behind sustainable innovation that critically is better for people and planet. We are really delighted to have the opportunity to further evolve this initiative with the British Council in support of UK and Indian sustainable fashion and textile innovators.”

Participants in the programme will receive comprehensive support from the University of the Arts London's Fashion, Textiles, and Technology Institute (UAL FTTI), including mentorship from seasoned academics and FTTI staff, as well as exclusive opportunities for showcasing their work. Successful completion of projects in the first year will provide grantees with an opportunity to secure further funding in the second year.

Key eligibility information:

• The call is open to all Indian designers, design entrepreneurs, and SMEs.

• Applications must involve a partnership between at least one Indian applicant and at least one UK applicant.

• Indian applicants must represent an enterprise, collective, non-profit, or institution with a minimum of three years of experience.

• Applicants must demonstrate strong collaboration, knowledge exchange, and mutual benefit for their partners in their application.

• Successful applicants must demonstrate the ability to carry out project activities between April 2024 and September 2024, with a requirement to host a public event presenting their findings in late 2024.

For further information, interested parties are invited to join the Open Call Information Webinar on 30 November 2023.