CREATIVE HUB+: Operation of a Creative Hub to promote circular economy and resource efficiency in the TCLF sectors

Acronym: CREATIVE HUB+
Start Date: 29/06/2026
End Date: 28/06/2028
Call: 1ST CALL_CALL FOR COMMON PROJECT PROPOSALS - STAGE B
Type: Ordinary
Website: https://www.greece-bulgaria.eu/project/creative-hub/

Priority

PRIORITY 1 - A more Resilient and Greener Greece-Bulgaria Cross Border Territory

Policy Objective

02 - A greener, low carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy & resilient Europe by promoting clean & fair energy transition, green & blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation & adaptation risk prevention & management, and sustainable urban mobility

Specific Objective

RSO2.4. Promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention, resilience taking into account ecosystem-based approaches

Intervention Field

058. Adaptation to climate change measures, prevention & management of climate related risks: floods & landslides (including awareness raising, civil protection & disaster management systems, infrastructures & ecosystem based approaches)

Project Description

Summary

The Textile, Clothing, Leather, and Fashion (TCLF) industries are key drivers of economic growth and cross-border trade in the Greece–Bulgaria region. The Creative Hub+ project builds on this by strengthening the existing Creative Hub in Greece and expanding it with a new antenna in Bulgaria, forming a joint cross-border support and information hub focused on sustainability and innovation.
Creative Hub+ supports SMEs, designers, start-ups, students, textile professionals, and policymakers by promoting sustainable resource management, circular practices, and new technologies. It offers guidance on EU policies, eco-design, and compliance, fosters cross-border collaboration and business opportunities, and raises awareness through public campaigns on climate change and sustainable fashion.

Expected Results

The anticipated results of the project are:

– The operation of the Hub in Greece and the establishment-operation of its extension in Bulgaria, providing information and consulting services to fashion SMEs, designers, start-ups, students in the fashion sector (clothing, knitting, embroidery, textiles), executives and policy makers on the topics of circular economy in the fashion industry.
– The development of information guides and materials, supporting consulting activities and workshops in both countries.
– The establishment of direct communication and cooperation channels among stakeholders in the cross-border area and in third countries.
– Strengthened cross-border communication, cooperation, and networking, enabling the creation of competitive business networks and new partnerships in the TCLF industry.
– Increased awareness of circular economy principles and resource efficiency in the TCLF sectors.
– The development of a methodological handbook, self-assessment tool, and pilot workshops on waste management, supporting companies in improving their practices and market positioning.

The main beneficiaries from the project implementation are executives and policy makers, stakeholders in TCLF sectors (textile, clothing, leather and fashion) and more specifically SMEs, fashion designers, start-ups, students in the fashion sector (clothing, knitting, embroidery, textiles).

Expected Outcomes

The outputs of the project include the following:

– Communication and dissemination activities, such as printed and digital information material, social media campaigns, press publications, and public events (3 open events and 1 final conference).
– Organisation of info-days (2 in Greece, 2 in Bulgaria) and forecasting presentations (3 in each country).
– Development of an e-learning platform with multilingual training modules.
– Establishment & operation of the Creative Hub+ antenna in Sandanski & operation of the Creative Hub+ structure in Thessaloniki
– Preparation of information guides, a methodological handbook, and a self-assessment tool on waste management.
– Delivery of workshops and seminars (in both countries), including pilot workshops on waste management in Greece.
– Provision of consulting services on EU policies, eco-design, and sustainable fashion practices.
– Implementation of networking activities, study visits, staff exchanges, and expert round-table discussions.
– Participation in international events and organisation of a joint fashion design competition.

Budget

Total:
1.006.094€ERDF:
804.875€National Funds:
2.012.018€Private Funds:
0€

Partnership

	Type	Country	Location of Activities
GNOSI ANAPTYXIS KAI KAINOTOMIAS NON PROFIT CIVIL LAW COMPANY	NGO / Non-Profit Organization	Greece	EL522 - Thessaloniki
THESSALONIKI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY	Governed by public law	Greece	EL522 - Thessaloniki
ASSOCIATION OF KNITWEAR-GREEK FASHION MARKETPLACE	NGO / Non-Profit Organization	Greece	EL522 - Thessaloniki
ASSOCIATION TEXTILE AND CLOTHES BRANCH ORGANIZATION	NGO / Non-Profit Organization	Bulgaria	outside eligible area
ASSOCIATION "SAVREMIE"	NGO / Non-Profit Organization	Bulgaria	BG413 - Blagoevgrad