On 28 May 2026, Digital Innovation Zone participated in the final o-creation workshop dedicated to circular textiles organized by n, bringing forward the SustainX programme as a relevant support framework for SMEs and ecosystem stakeholders interested in sustainability, digitalisation, circular economy, and interregional cooperation.
The event gathered 41 participants from Romania, representing a diverse range of organisations, including SMEs, universities, associations, chambers of commerce, and NGOs. This multidisciplinary participation reflected the growing interest of the Romanian textile and fashion ecosystem in identifying practical solutions for circularity, sustainable innovation, and collaborative project development.
During the workshop, Cristina Vărvăruc, representing Digital Innovation Zone, delivered a dedicated presentation on the SustainX programme, highlighting its role in supporting SMEs in developing sustainable and financeable project ideas. The intervention was included in the section focused on the digitalisation of the textile sector, a key topic for companies aiming to improve competitiveness, resource efficiency, traceability, and access to future funding opportunities. Digital Innovation Zone was introduced as the European Digital Innovation Hub supporting the North-East Region of Romania, with services dedicated to digital transformation, innovation, and capacity building for SMEs and public institutions. Within this context, the SustainX was presented as a programme designed to strengthen the capacities of SMEs and help them move from initial ideas towards structured project concepts with clear sustainability, innovation, and funding potential.
A key part of the presentation focused on how SustainX supports companies in identifying relevant project directions, connecting with potential partners, building consortia, and preparing for interregional funding opportunities, including the I3 instrument. The programme was presented as a practical framework that encourages cooperation between SMEs, research organisations, associations, innovation intermediaries, and other relevant stakeholders. Particular attention was given to the SustainX value chains identified across the partner regions, especially the value chain dedicated to sustainable fashion and bio-based materials. This value chain is directly relevant to the textile and fashion sector, as it addresses the development of sustainable fashion products, the use of bio-based or recovered materials, and the integration of circular economy principles into production and consumption models.
During the presentation were highlighted several possible directions for future project development, including ecological fashion production, the use of plant-based and recovered materials, sustainable 3D printing for fashion items, certified compostable packaging, and green logistics. These directions were presented as starting points for further collaboration and project development among interested companies and ecosystem actors.
The participation of Digital Innovation Zone in the TEX-DAN workshop contributed to the broader discussion on circular economy, green finance, textile innovation, technology transfer, and digitalisation. By presenting SustainX in this context, Digital Innovation Zone reinforced the importance of connecting sector-specific challenges with concrete support mechanisms that can help SMEs transform sustainability objectives into practical innovation projects.
SustainX programme continues to support the development of a more competitive, sustainable, and connected innovation ecosystem. The programme offers a relevant pathway for partner regions SMEs and stakeholder organisations to strengthen their capacities, explore interregional cooperation, and contribute to the development of sustainable and circular value chains in the textile and fashion sector.
