H&M Foundation launches second cycle of Global Change Award 2016

London - The H&M Foundation has announced the launch of the second cycle of its annual competition the Global Change Award. The challenge, which was first initiated in 2015 by the non-profit organisation run by the Swedish fast-fashion retailer, spilt a 1 million euro grant (800,000 pounds) between five disruptive innovations which aimed to help the fashion industry shift from a linear model to a circular one.

"After seeing so many fantastic innovations from around the world with the potential to transform the fashion industry, we have been very eager to open up the next round of the Global Change Award," said Karl-Johan Persson, board member of the H&M Foundation and CEO of H&M in statement. "I am also honored to welcome some new members to the expert panel like Dame Ellen MacArthur, who besides making solo sailor history in 2005, has immense knowledge about the transition to a circular economy."

H&M Foundations kicks off the Global Change Award 2016

The debut Global Change Award, which was designed by H&M to promote sustainable production and consumption within the fashion industry, received over 2,700 applications from 112 countries across the world. The winning ideas from the previous cycle, which were decided through an online vote, included apparel made from citrus-by products, microbes which digest waste polyester and an online marketplace for leftover textiles.

However, for its second cycle, which opens September 1st, H&M has expanded the scope for ideas for the competition to encompass three categories. The first is Circular business models, which includes ideas on how to reuse, repair, share and digitalize or extend the life of products. The second is Circular materials, which covers ideas for new fibres, recycling techniques and material substitutes. Lastly, there is Circular processes, which includes new methods for chemical usage, water and dyeing techniques as well as 3D printing.

"By bringing together innovators to develop positive solutions, the Global Change Award is a great example of the approach needed to create change, and help shift the fashion industry towards a restorative and regenerative circular economy," said Dame Ellen MacArthur, Founder of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. "I am excited to join the expert panel to help find the next five innovations that can be truly game-changing."

Other members of the expert panel who will help identify the best innovations for the Global Change Award 2016 include model Amber Valletta; professor in Sustainable Textile and Fashion Design at the University of Arts London, Rebecca Earley; editor in chief for Vogue Italia, Franca Sozzani; founder of exponential leadership, David Roberts; and President of Cradle to Cradle Products innovation institute, Lewis Perkins.

In addition to winning part of the grant, the winners of the Global Change Award 2016 will also be given a year's access to the Innovation Accelerator organized by the H&M Foundation with Accenture and the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. The programme was designed to ensure the winning innovations are able to become a reality and stand on their own as soon as possible and to maximize their impact on the fashion industry as a whole.

Images: H&M