Shaping tomorrow: a journey through the Global Change Award 2025

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At the heart of every great story is a person with an idea – someone who dares to challenge the norm, follow their passion and imagine a better way forward. These are the changemakers. And they’re exactly who the Global Change Award exists to support. In this blog post, Annie Lindmark, Programme Director for Innovation, shares the bold steps we’re taking to reimagine what innovation looks like – and who gets to drive it.

Global Change Award winners during Changemaker week in New York 2024.

Since 2015, we’ve had the privilege of meeting 46 brilliant teams from around the world – each one proving bold ideas that really can spark real change. This year, we’ve taken the Global Change Award to a whole new level.

In October 2024 we launched a new strategy for the Global Change Award, with a clear mission; to support early-stage innovations that can help decarbonise the textile industry – in line with halving greenhouse gas emissions every decade, reaching net-zero by 2050. And we’re doing it in a way that promotes the wellbeing of both people and planet. This wasn’t just a shift in strategic direction – it was a declaration of intent. We know that to truly change the system, we need to reimagine how we discover, support and scale innovation. So, that’s what we’re doing!

Reimagining the future of fashion and textile

With a sharper focus on a wide range of changemakers including researchers, systems thinkers, non-profits, policy advocates, storytellers, as well as those who identify themselves as innovators and entrepreneurs. All working on early-stage innovation targeting the most critical emission areas across the textile value chain, we see Global Change Award as being a catalyst for the future we want to see.

Annie Lindmark, Global Director for Global Change Award.

Imagine a fashion future where the fabric of our clothes is pulled from the air, where waste is transformed into colorful threads, and where every garment is crafted without draining natural resources.

Picture an industry entirely powered by renewable energy, producing only what’s needed, when it’s needed—with no waste.

What if every garment was designed to last, to be treasured and passed on, to become part of new garments, and our expression of style was not just about the products; rather about how we live with them?

Now, think of all the breakthroughs and new ways of doing things that we have not even thought about yet, that will transform the industry in ways we cannot imagine today? 


These are just some of many things we see that our coming and future winners’ innovations will do – reimagining how textile and fashion is made, worn and passed on!

A bold new approach to finding ideas

To surface game-changing ideas from changemakers who often go unnoticed by traditional systems, we decided to transition to a nomination-based approach, inviting trusted organisations, called nominators. Our nominators include, but are not limited to, organisations such as universities, research institutes, governmental organisations, non-profits, brands, suppliers and GCA alumni.

The response was nothing short of inspiring. We received 476 nominated changemakers from 69 countries. These weren’t just technical solutions—they were visions of a better future. From bio-powered textiles that generate electricity to high-efficient heating systems for dyeing and drying, the innovations offered a glimpse into what’s possible when creativity meets purpose.

Now, just weeks away from announcing our 10 winners, we stand with our top 20 finalists, each of them representing groundbreaking ideas with passionate changemakers behind them. Our winners will soon embark on a Changemaker Programme, gaining access to funding, mentorship, and global networks. Curated by H&M Foundation together with our strategic partners, the Changemaker Programme is a year-long support programme designed to elevate the changemakers’ ideas while also focusing on personal growth and the adoption of a systems thinking mindset. The aim is to equip them with new sets of skills and connections, an understanding of their own ability to drive change as well as the textile industry at large, and, not the least, a holistic mindset – promoting solutions that will benefit both people and the planet.

Changemaker week in Hong Kong 2023.

Our call to action

As we look ahead, one truth becomes increasingly clear: the world needs more bold changemakers with innovative ideas to help us reimagine what the future could look like. And we need more people – organisations, investors, policymakers – who are ready to back them.

But for that to happen we need to dare to put our bets on ideas that are yet unproven, disruptive, hopeful and full of promise. Because the innovations that seem risky now may be the ones that define entire industries tomorrow.

Supporting early-stage innovation isn’t just about funding. It’s a strategic choice. One that requires courage, collaboration and patience.

So, here’s our call: fund and support fearlessly, think holistically and create the conditions for lasting impact. The Global Change Award is our contribution to the future we want to see – and the journey is just getting started.

Press contact

Jasmina Sofić

Media Relations Responsible

In brief

In this blog post Annie Lindmark, Programme Director for Innovation at H&M Foundation, shares the bold steps we’re taking to reimagine what innovation looks like – and who gets to drive it.

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