The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched the Space for a Sustainable Textile Industry initiative to leverage space-based technologies in enhancing transparency, sustainability, and resilience across the textile sector. This initiative focuses on addressing environmental challenges in cotton cultivation, improving supply chain traceability, and supporting conservation efforts.

ESA is offering co-funding of up to €200,000 per awarded feasibility study, covering up to 80% of eligible costs. The initiative aims to integrate space-based solutions into the textile value chain to tackle key challenges such as water quality impacts, sustainable cotton assessment, supply chain monitoring, ecosystem impact analysis, and restoration or conservation efforts. Successful projects will explore how Earth observation, satellite communication, and positioning technologies can drive sustainability in textile production and trade.

This opportunity is open to companies developing space-enabled services and products for the textile sector. Applicants must be based in ESA Member States and register via the ESA-STAR system. If applying as a consortium, each partner must be individually registered. Interested organisations must download the official tender documents, obtain a Letter of Authorisation from their National Delegation, and submit proposals through ESA-STAR Tendering.

The application deadline is 14 April 2025, for full details and to apply, visit the ESA Business Applications Portal.