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Call for application for TEX-DAN Made in Danube lable RAPIV invites Bulgarian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, social enterprises, start-ups, and entrepreneurs from the textile and fashion sector to apply for the TEX-DAN Made in Danube label.
The certification scheme was developed within the TEX-DAN project and aims to recognise companies from the Danube Region that are already implementing circular, sustainable, and resource-efficient solutions in their activities. The label recognises enterprises that contribute to more sustainable textile and fashion value chains, reduced transport intensity, responsible production, and greater transparency across the sector.
The certification is intended for companies that are not merely planning sustainable measures but have already introduced specific practices – for example, the use of recycled or low-emission materials, repair and reuse, circular services, local production, cooperation with regional suppliers, or measures to reduce waste.
What is the TEX-DAN Made in Danube label?
TEX-DAN Made in Danube is a certification label recognising companies in the textile and fashion value chain that demonstrate sustainability achievements and contribute to the circular economy in the Danube Region.
Successfully certified companies will be entitled to use the label in their communication and marketing materials for a period of three years. After this period, companies may reapply to renew their certification.
The label may be used in connection with products, services, corporate communication materials, digital platforms, and promotional activities related to the company’s recognised sustainability achievements.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, social enterprises, start-ups, and private entrepreneurs that are registered and operate in a country participating in the Interreg Danube Region Programme and are active in the textile or fashion value chain.
Applicants may operate in different segments of the sector, including fibre and material production, textile manufacturing and processing, leather and accessories, clothing design and production, repair, reuse and recycling, circular logistics services, as well as innovative services and business models related to the textile sector.
Public authorities, large enterprises, and organisations exclusively engaged in research activities are not eligible to apply for certification.
What are the benefits for certified companies?
Companies that successfully complete the assessment will be entitled to use the TEX-DAN Made in Danube label in their communication and marketing materials.
They will also gain visibility through TEX-DAN communication channels and have the opportunity to showcase their good practices within the Danube textile ecosystem. Certified companies will also be able to benefit from networking opportunities and targeted matchmaking through the TEX-DAN partnership and cluster network.
Successful applicants will also be considered for the additional TEX-DAN Grand Prize distinction. A promotional video or podcast showcasing the company’s circular achievement is also planned. It will be promoted through TEX-DAN communication channels and made available to the company for its own use free of charge.
What will be assessed?
Applications will be assessed across four main areas.
The first area is regionalisation and reduced transport intensity. The assessment will consider how the company contributes to strengthening regional value chains and reducing the environmental impact associated with long transport distances. Relevant examples include local or regional sourcing, production or services located closer to customers or partners, cooperation with suppliers from the Danube Region, reducing unnecessary logistics, and solutions that create greater value at regional level.
The second area is circular products and services. The assessment will focus on solutions already implemented that extend product lifecycles, reduce waste, and improve resource efficiency. These may include circular design, the use of recycled or low-emission materials, repair, refurbishment or reuse, product take-back schemes, recycling, remanufacturing, as well as services such as rental, sharing, or leasing of textile products.
The third area is responsible and fair production. The assessment will take into account practices related to compliance with labour and environmental legislation, safe working conditions, employee training and development, stable and fair relationships with suppliers, as well as support for the local economy and employment.
The fourth area is transparency and cooperation within the textile ecosystem. The assessment will consider the company’s contribution to transparency, partnerships, and knowledge exchange across the sector. Examples include clearly communicating the sustainability characteristics of products or services, participating in clusters, networks or joint initiatives, sharing good practices, engaging customers and partners on sustainability issues, and improving traceability across the supply chain.
How does the assessment process work?
Applications will be assessed by an Expert Board based on the practices and results already implemented and demonstrated by the applicants.
Applications will be evaluated using a scoring system with a maximum of 15 points. The greatest weight is given to regionalisation and reduced transport intensity, and to circular products and services, with each of these areas worth up to 5 points. Responsible production and social sustainability can receive up to 3 points, while transparency and engagement within the ecosystem can receive up to 2 points.
To qualify for certification, applicants must receive at least 1 point in each of the four assessment areas and achieve the minimum overall score determined by the Expert Board. The assessment framework sets a threshold of at least 9 out of 15 points.
The assessment is qualitative and focuses on the relevance, credibility, and tangible contribution of measures already implemented rather than on complex technical calculations.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted through the online form:
In the application form, companies should provide brief information about the company and a contact person, their main activity within the textile or fashion value chain, measures implemented to support regionalisation and reduce transport distances, circular products, services or processes already introduced, responsible production practices, transparency and cooperation within the ecosystem, as well as the results and impact achieved.
Supporting documents such as certificates, photographs, product descriptions, links, or short reports may be provided but are not mandatory. Extensive technical documentation is not required.
Important dates
The call for applications opens on 6 May 2026.
The deadline for submitting applications is 27 May 2026.
Applications will be assessed in June, with the assessment scheduled for 12 June 2026.
The results will be announced on 30 June 2026.
Why apply?
Obtaining the TEX-DAN Made in Danube label provides Bulgarian companies with an opportunity to showcase their sustainability achievements to a wider regional and European audience.
The certification can help enterprises strengthen trust in their products and services, demonstrate their commitment to the circular economy, position themselves as responsible and innovative actors in the textile sector, gain additional visibility, and build new partnerships across the Danube Region.
Further information
For further information, applicants can contact the national TEX-DAN project partner or visit the project’s official website:
RAPIV encourages Bulgarian companies from the textile and fashion sector that are already implementing sustainable and circular solutions to take advantage of this opportunity and apply for the TEX-DAN Made in Danube label.
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REGIONAL AGENCY FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATIONS – VARNA (RAPIV) |
Varna, Bulgaria tel.: +359 882 809 178 +359 52 802 163 office@rapiv.org |
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