This is GCA
The Global Change Award (GCA) is an innovation challenge initiated by H&M Foundation. Our mission is to accelerate early-stage innovation to support the textile industry in halving its greenhouse gas emissions every decade, reaching net-zero by 2050.
The H&M Foundation launched the Global Change Award – called The Nobel Prize of Fashion – as the first innovation challenge of its kind in 2015. Since then, 66 innovations have received support and a combined grant of €12 million.
Every year, we back ten brilliant changemakers with a €200,000 grant and support them in turning their bold ideas into impactful innovations through a one-year Changemaker Programme. We equip our winners with textile industry knowledge, tools, connections, and a holistic mindset – to promote solutions that benefit both people and the planet.
Big ideas start small – we’re here to back them
Every innovation has a journey – and the earliest steps are often the hardest to take. That’s when funding is scarce, networks are limited, and the road ahead can feel uncertain. GCA backs changemakers at this critical point, offering the support, resources and encouragement they need to move forward. And once an idea is validated, others – from accelerators to brands and investors – play a key role in scaling it up.
The innovations we’re looking for
We support early-stage innovation across four areas in the textile industry. These areas are based on our mapping into greenhouse gas emissions across the textile value chain – combined with insights from systems thinking, which shows how complex and interconnected the industry’s challenges really are.
Sustainable materials and processes
Lower-impact production processes and resource-efficient materials, from dyeing and finishing to alternatives to fossil-based fibres.
Responsible production
Solutions that help manufacturers decarbonise while building resilient, climate-safe production. This includes clean energy, waste reduction and approaches that support workers resilience through a just transition.
Mindful consumption
In this category we hunt for ideas that keep textiles in use for longer while creating fairer and more effective waste and recycling systems.
Wildcards
In the Wild card category we want to stay open to unexpected solutions with the potential to accelerate change.
Rewiring the system for innovation to thrive
The textile industry is a deeply interconnected system and no single innovation will fix it. We equip changemakers with the tools and mindset to see the bigger picture, challenge the root causes of the industry’s problems and to think beyond their own solution and explore how it fits into – and can influence – the broader system. We also work to actively influence the system itself by:
- Fostering a global network of changemakers, experts and industry players
- Promoting narrative change to inspire and influence the wider sector
- Working across silos to bring together brands, suppliers, researchers and policymakers
- Keeping people and planet at the centre of every solution
The GCA cycle 2025/2026
Nominations period
Nominators put forward changemakers from their networks, and changemakers can also submit their proposals directly via The Mills Fabrica’s application page.
Sept 1 — Nov 6, 2026
1
2
Nominee applications open
Nominees brought forward by GCA nominators complete their applications.
Sep 1 – November 13, 2026
screening period
Screening is conducted in collaboration with a broad network of industry experts, partners, and expert panel.
December 2026 – April 2027
3
4
changemaker programme
The yearlong GCA Changemaker Programme commences.
May 2027
winner announcement
Public reveal of the Global Change Award 2026 winners.
June 2027
5
6
SUMMIT & award ceremony
The annual GCA Summit is taking place and the winners are crowned and celebrated at an award ceremony in the City Hall, Stockholm, Sweden.
October 2027
