Changemaker programme

The Changemaker Programme is at the heart of the Global Change Award. It’s a yearlong journey designed to help each winner develop their idea, grow personally, and understand how their innovation can help rewire the system.

Being selected as a GCA winner is just the beginning. The Changemaker Programme is a tailored journey designed to strengthen your idea, build momentum, and support your growth as a leader. You’ll connect with peers from around the world, explore new perspectives, and deepen your understanding of how your work fits into a bigger picture – one that reimagines the textile industry to benefit both people and planet.

Co-created with our strategic partners Accenture and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, the programme is designed to evolve with you and your team across the year – meeting you where you are and helping you move forward. We don’t just support innovations – we back the brilliant minds behind them.

What the programme offers

The programme is built around three equally important tracks which includes both core content and tailored modules to meet individual needs.

Idea development – from idea to proof of concept

We support our changemakers as they test, refine, prototype and package their ideas. We offer frameworks, hands-on prototyping support and a broader perspective on what “development” can mean beyond business-as-usual. For example:

Guidance on innovation readiness
Communicating your idea with clarity
Support on intellectual property rights

Personal growth – building confidence and momentum

Our goal is to boost and equip our changemakers with tools for resilience, leadership and collaborations skills, and a firm belief in their own ability to drive change. For example:

Vision-setting and personal leadership
Team building skills
Learning sessions from GCA Alumni

Systems understanding – seeing the bigger picture

We offer support on learning how to navigate complexity, identify leverage points, and exploring potential impact on both people and planet. For example:

Introduction to systems thinking and mapping
Textile industry deep dives
Designing for holistic people and planet solutions

A journey in three parts: The Changemaker Weeks

The programme includes three immersive weeks in different locations that can vary from year to year. Each week brings together winners, the GCA team, partners, and contributors – building trust, sharing learnings and building meaningful connections.

Week 1 – London, May 2025
Getting to know each other, personal growth, systems change
You’ll meet your fellow winners and partners, explore the foundation of the programme, start understanding the textile industry, your innovation readiness and shape your personal roadmap for the year.

Week 2 – Stockholm, October 2025
Industry immersion, nourishing ideas, expanding your network
This week focuses on industry knowledge, connections and collaboration. You’ll participate in GCA’s industry summit and be celebrated and recognised at our award ceremony – and meet our vibrant alumni community.

Week 3 – Vietnam, January 2026
Graduation, real-world exposure, setting the path ahead
In a global textile industry hub, you will deep dive into the real-world context through visits to production plants and factories. This week will focus on your individual needs and make sure you set a solid plan for what’s ahead.

After the programme: your journey continues

Graduation doesn’t mean goodbye. Once you complete the Changemaker Programme, you join a growing global alumni network of innovators who continue to share, support and scale change together.

We stay in touch with our alumni and continue to provide opportunities to: