The WORTH Partnership Project is an initiative funded by the European Commission under the COSME programme (Competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)). It brings together designers, SMEs, manufacturers, and technology providers to co-create innovative, design-oriented business models in lifestyle sectors. The project focuses on fashion and textiles, footwear, leather and fur, furniture, interior design, jewellery, and accessories.

In its second edition, WORTH II (2021-2025), the project supported 202 transnational partnerships involving participants from EU-27, the United Kingdom, and other COSME countries. Participating companies receive a package of support including financial support of €10,000 to €20,000, coaching on business strategy and technology development, legal advice on intellectual property rights, exhibition participation, and networking and professional connections.

Beyond financial and technical support, the project has produced striking examples of creativity in action. These include MARTÍS X Zeefier, which designed modular garments that can be reconfigured into more than 30 outfits, ReBoots, a footwear project transforming mis-produced car tires into sustainable shoe soles, and TIBET, a smart textile prototype that generates energy through triboelectricity to power wearable devices.  

Such initiatives highlight how WORTH partnerships turn design thinking into practical, sustainable innovations with real market potential. For more information and to explore further examples, visit the WORTH Partnership Project page.