Trophy rules
ARTICLE 1: CONTEXT
Circular fashion
In recent years, numerous initiatives have been launched by companies and associations to promote clothing consumption that is more respectful of the environment and people.
The circular economy is at the heart of these new practices. It is giving rise to a new organization of the fashion industry, focused on new value chains, social, societal, and environmental responsibility, and innovation in raw materials and transformation processes.
While the Circle Economy report indicates that only 0.3% of the textile industry is circular, the Circular Fashion Federation estimates that the rollout of the circular economy could create 80,000 jobs and more than $35 billion in revenue worldwide.
The potential for transformation in our industry is immense. It is within this context and with this objective in mind that the Circular Fashion Awards were created, with the following aims:
- reveal and support those who dare to experiment circular models
- promote and give a voice to solutions to economic stakeholders and citizens alike
- structure the sector around circularity issues
Some initiatives to kickstart circularity in the textile industry:
PRODUCE BETTER THANKS TO ECO-DESIGN
# Consider the product and/or service throughout its entire life cycle in order to limit its impact during the production phase (zero waste, reduced energy consumption, etc.), use (repairability, durability), maintenance (washing, etc.), and end of life (recyclability), for both new products and products already on the market.
# Promote the incorporation of used, recycled, or new materials that are less polluting, ensuring that the number of different materials used and other disruptive elements is reduced to facilitate recycling.
# Promote the development of short supply chains by using local materials and expertise
# Develop less polluting finishing methods (fewer steps, vegetable dyes, etc.)
# Limit overstocking / manufacture on demand
# Limit the release of microplastics
# Integrate a business model that challenges consumer purchasing behavior by promoting moderate consumption of the products and/or services offered.
CONSUME BETTER AND EXTEND THE LIFE SPAN
# Encourage more moderate consumption
# Encourage second-hand practices, reuse, repair, repurposing, redesign/remaking
# Prioritize short supply chains in distribution and sustainable distribution practices
# Develop new services that limit the amount of clothing purchased: rental, functional economy, collaborative and sharing economy (bartering, donations, etc.).
# Involve consumers in production processes (co-production, etc.) and provide them with better information on traceability, impacts, maintenance, etc. of their products.
BETTER MANAGEMENT OF PRODUCT END-OF-LIFE
# Develop efficient systems for collection (e.g., deposit-refund schemes), preparation for recycling, and recycling of products in closed loops (within the same production process) or open loops (new outlets).
# Communication and awareness-raising about sorting waste
# Recycle materials considered waste (including those from sectors other than textiles: agri-food, ocean plastics, etc.)
The Circular Fashion Awards
Since 2020, the European Metropolis of Lille, capital of circular fashion, has been organizing the European Circular Fashion Awards with its partners ADEME and the Hauts-de-France Region. These editions have been a resounding success and have demonstrated that many companies are innovating thanks to the circular economy.
Some figures from the latest edition:
- 220 applications received
- around fifty partner organizations
- 15,000 votes during the public voting phase
- 140 Press relays
- 80,000 impressions on social media
The European Circular Fashion Awards are part of this drive to accelerate the transition of the textile industry towards more sustainable and responsible practices.
ARTICLE 2: THE ORGANIZER
The organizer of the Call for Applications is the European Metropolis of Lille (MEL), working closely with its partners ADEME and the Hauts-de-France Region.
ARTICLE 3: PURPOSE OF THE CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
The call for applications concerns projects with products and/or services that innovate in the application of circular economy principles in the Linen, Textiles and Footwear, Professional Textiles, Textile Accessories & Luggage sectors (only those that incorporate textiles). Its aim is to reward innovation and business models in circular fashion/sustainable fashion.
The outcome of this call for applications will be the organization of a European Circular Fashion Awards ceremony.
ARTICLE 4: TARGETS OF THE CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
- Businesses: micro-enterprises, SMEs, large companies, entrepreneurs, self-employed individuals, etc. that can prove they already have a legal structure in place.
- Incubated projects that can provide proof of incubation
- Economic associations subject to VAT
Regardless of the legal form of the project leader, projects must aim to bring a product and/or service to market in B2B or B2C.
Fundamental research projects and associations not subject to VAT are not eligible for this call for applications.
ARTICLE 5: GEOGRAPHICAL SCOPE
Applicants must be able to prove that their registered office is located in one of the following three countries:
- In mainland France (including Corsica and overseas departments and territories)
- Belgium
- Netherlands
ARTICLE 6: PRIZE CATEGORIES
The categories of awards defined for small businesses (turnover less than €2 million):
|
Catégories Petites Entreprises |
Large Companies Category
Circular Transformation Award for Large Companies |
|
| Emerging Brand Award | Emerging Circular Solution Award | |
| Price Brand Established | Established Circular Solution Award | |
| 2026 European Public Choice Award | ||
For small businesses, four awards will be presented:
- Emerging Circular Brand (project less than 18 months old) : A player that has been in business for less than 18 months, carries a fashion brand, and mainly offers products or services that incorporate circular economy principles into their design, production, or distribution model.
The brand may be in the launch phase, with or without actual marketing at the time of application.
- Established Circular Brand (project lasting more than 18 months) : A player with more than 18 months of experience that has already brought products to market incorporating circular economy principles and is beginning to structure its business model.
- Emerging Circular Solution (project lasting less than 18 months) : A player, less than 18 months old, developing services, technologies, models, innovations, or infrastructure for fashion brands, contributing to the circular transformation of the fashion and textile industry.
- Established Circular Solution (project lasting more than 18 months) : A player, operating for more than 18 months, developing services, technologies, models, innovations, or infrastructure for fashion brands, contributing to the circular transformation of the fashion and textile industry.
NB: Hybrid projects (product + service, innovative models) will be classified according to their main activity. The organizers reserve the right to reclassify an application to the most relevant category.
A single category for large companies (turnover exceeding €2 million): the Circular Transformation Award for Large Companies , which includes projects in development that are aimed at short-term commercialization, as well as products and services already on the market.
In addition to the trophies, a public favorite award will be given to the project with the most votes. Regional favorite awards may be given by the Trophy partners or by members of the Jury.
These favorites will be selected from among the finalists (all categories combined).
In total, six trophies will be awarded.
ARTICLE 7: PROCESS FOR THE CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
1. Submission of application files
Applications must be submitted online via the platform www.modecirculaire.com. Any application that is incomplete and/or not submitted online will be rejected.
Need help submitting your application? Frequently asked questions are available online at www.modecirculaire.com.
Can't find your answer in the FAQ? Send us an email at candidature@modecirculaire.com.
2. Selection of eligible projects
Following the call for applications, an initial stage will verify whether or not the proposal is admissible.
Elements of admissibility of an application:
- The candidate is present in France, Belgium, or the Netherlands.
- The candidate is a project leader who can provide proof of the legal creation of a company (SAS, LLC, self-employed entrepreneur, creator, etc.), an association subject to VAT, or other proof of incubation. (Associations that are not subject to VAT are not eligible to apply.)
- The candidate followed the application procedure, namely: online submission on the platform.
- The application was submitted online before Monday, May 11 at 5:00 p.m.
- The project falls under one or more of the themes related to Circular Fashion (see Article 1) and aims to market a product and/or service in B2B or B2C.
All eligible and ineligible projects will be validated by the technical committee.
3. Selection of finalists
All eligible projects will be presented to a jury. This jury will be composed of the technical committee and qualified experts. It will select the finalists.
It will meet on June 30, 2026.
Projects will be evaluated based on the evaluation criteria mentioned in Article 9.
Depending on the number of entries and their quality, the jury may select up to 15 finalists.
An email will be sent to unsuccessful applicants as well as successful applicants.
4. Public Vote
A public voting phase, combined with a communication campaign and an exhibition of the finalists, will take place from October to November.
To this end, a digital platform will be created so that the general public can choose between the finalists. Voting will take place between October and November.
Prior to this, finalists must be available during the summer to produce communication tools, including videos, documents, exhibitions, etc.
An exhibition will be created to showcase the finalist projects. The dates will be communicated to the finalists.
The public vote will account for one-third of the final decision for all awards. The People's Choice Award will only take into account votes from the public.
5. Final Jury and Awards Ceremony
A second jury will be formed, which will be different from the first. Jury No. 2 will decide on the finalist projects and select the winners by category.
In order to guarantee confidentiality, the Jury will meet on the day of the awards ceremony. Each member of the Jury will have a file containing a summary of the projects and a sheet for each project (sent in advance, at least 10 days before). Each finalist will be interviewed by the jury (3-minute pitch). The final decision will be based on the jury's score (2/3) and the public vote (1/3). The Grand Prix du Public will be based solely on the public vote.
The evening will be followed by a cocktail reception and networking event with Northern European and national players in the circular fashion industry.
The finalists of the Call for Applications undertake to be present—or represented—at the awards ceremony.
ARTICLE 8: SCHEDULE
Monday, March 9 : Launch of the Call for Applications
Monday, May 11 at 5:00 p.m. : Closing date for applications
June 30 : Jury 1
October 1 to November 29 : Public vote
Thursday, December 3 : Jury 2 and Awards Ceremony *
*Candidates agree to be available to produce communication materials and to attend Jury 2 and the awards ceremony.
ARTICLE 9: EVALUATION CRITERIA
The following are indicative evaluation criteria:
1) Reduction of environmental impacts
The project's ability to reduce the environmental footprint of the fashion industry (or even create positive impacts)
2) Level of circularity of the project
Concrete integration of circular economy principles: eco-design, sustainability, extended lifespan, repairability, reuse, recyclability, new economic models, combating planned obsolescence, etc.
3) Innovation
Innovative nature of the project (technology, materials, business model, logistics, processes, organization, modes of cooperation, etc.)
4) Economic viability and creation of positive social and territorial impacts
Solid business model with short- and medium-term profitability. Contribution to local employment, knowledge transfer, a more responsible value chain, and stakeholder involvement.
ARTICLE 10: PRICES
For all finalists:
- A short video of the project
- Promotion of the initiative during the finalists' exhibition
- Promotion of the project in the finalists' portfolio
- Photos from the awards ceremony
- Coverage and promotion across all our media channels: events, social media, press conferences, exhibitions, awards ceremonies, etc.
- Networking with responsible fashion stakeholders during the awards ceremony.
For the winners:
|
Small Business Categories (CA< 2 millions d’euros) |
Large Companies Category (Revenue > €2 million):
Circular Transformation Award for Large Companies
Support from an expert agency |
|
|
Emerging Brand Award: Financial award + support |
Emerging Circular Solution Award Financial award + support |
|
|
Price Brand Established Circular: Financial award + support |
Established Circular Solution Award Financial award + support |
|
| 2026 European Public Choice Award | ||
Support will focus on the following areas: fundraising assistance, launching a crowdfunding campaign, incubation, business model support, assistance in measuring environmental impact, etc. Support will be allocated by the final jury based on the progress of the winning projects.
ARTICLE 11: TRANSPORTATION
Transportation costs to attend appointments for filming, the final jury, and the awards ceremony are the responsibility of the candidates. The presence of finalists is mandatory at both events.
ARTICLE 12: IMAGE RIGHTS
Participation in the contest entails the transfer of the following rights by the candidates to MEL, its service providers, and its partners for communication purposes related to the contest:
– With regard to images provided by participants (photographs of representatives, or any image illustrating their productions, achievements, operations, businesses, establishments, and any other subject likely to promote their participation): the transfer covers all rights conferred by intellectual property law, as well as image rights. Participants also certify that they hold all applicable rights in this regard, including copyright.
– Furthermore, the finalists will be filmed and photographed by the MEL or its service providers prior to the awards ceremony and during the event. The organizers remain the sole judges of whether or not to proceed with these recordings, as well as their use. Consequently, by participating in the contest, Participants give their consent to the recording of their image on this occasion and to the use of these recordings by the Organizers. They declare that they transfer their image rights necessary for this use as of the date of their registration. To this end, participants declare that they are not bound by any other exclusive contract relating to their image or name.
ARTICLE 13: DATA PROTECTION
The personal data collected by MEL and its service providers, in their capacity as data controllers, during registration is necessary for the following purposes: registration and participation in the competition, awarding of prizes, and communication of information relating to the awards. Failure to provide the required data will simply result in the candidate not being able to compete for the awards. In accordance with the amended French Data Protection Act of January 6, 1978, each participant has the right to access, rectify, or even delete personal information concerning them by writing to the contest address specified below:
European Metropolis of Lille
2 United Nations Boulevard
CS 70 043
59 040 Lille Cedex
ARTICLE 14: ACCEPTANCE OF THE RULES
Participation in the contest implies full and unconditional acceptance of these rules in their entirety, which are contractually binding. Any violation of these rules may result in the elimination of the contestant.
Any disputes relating to the interpretation or application of these rules, or any other issues not covered by them, will be settled by the organizers in the spirit that prevailed when the operation was conceived. These decisions will be final.
ARTICLE 15: MODIFICATION OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
The MEL reserves the right, for any reason whatsoever, to modify, extend, shorten, suspend, or cancel the contest, without incurring any liability as a result. No compensation may be claimed by participants. Any difficulty arising from the application or interpretation of these rules or not covered by them shall be decided in the final instance by the MEL. Consequently, no modification may give rise to any claim or compensation whatsoever. The MEL may cancel all or part of the call for applications if it appears that fraud has occurred in any form. In this case, the MEL reserves the right not to award the prize(s) to the fraudsters and/or to prosecute the perpetrators of such fraud before the competent courts.
