Lombardy invests 12.3 million in fashion: opportunities for Ticino cross-border workers

Context

TL;DR

• Lombardy allocates €12.3M for Next Fashion call.
• 73 fashion businesses supported, focusing on innovation and sustainability.
• Ticino companies can join if collaborating with Lombardy businesses.
• Funding covers up to 60% of eligible expenses for micro and small businesses.

Key facts

• Investimento totale: €22.8 milioni
• Fondo regionale: €12.3 milioni
• Aziende finanziate: 73
• Provincia con più beneficiari: Milano (28 aziende)
• Durata progetto: 24 mesi, estendibile a 30
• Finanziamento max: 1 milione di euro per partnership
• Requisiti: Innovazione, sostenibilità, collaborazione tra 3-5 aziende
• Scadenza domanda: Non ancora specificata

Lombardy Region has allocated €12.3 million for the Next Fashion call for proposals, funded under the 2021–2027 Regional Fesr Programme. The initiative, promoted by the Departments of Tourism, Territorial Marketing and Fashion, and University and Research, supports 73 businesses in the fashion sector, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises and collaboration among entities of varying sizes.

The funded projects must promote innovation, sustainability and the enhancement of high-quality craftsmanship, integrating digital technologies throughout the entire production chain. The call for proposals encouraged partnerships of 3 to 5 members, fostering technology transfer and the pooling of expertise. The total eligible investment amounts to €22.8 million, with regional funding covering up to 60% for micro and small businesses, 50% for medium-sized enterprises and 40% for large companies.

The geographical distribution of beneficiaries shows a strong concentration in the province of Milan (28 businesses), followed by Bergamo (12) and Brescia (7). However, the call does not exclude participation from Ticino-based companies, provided they collaborate with Lombard businesses and meet the required sustainability and innovation criteria.

A call for proposals shaping the future of Lombardy’s fashion industry

The Next Fashion call aligns with a context where environmental, economic and social responsibility is becoming a key driver of competitiveness in the sector. The funded projects will address themes such as material selection, sustainable design, the sharing of digital archives and activities related to recycling and upcycling. The goal is to maintain the competitiveness of Lombard businesses through innovation, without losing sight of the artisanal heritage that defines the sector.

«With the Next Fashion call, Lombardy Region reaffirms its leading role in supporting a sector that represents one of the highest expressions of our know-how. Investing in innovation means not only strengthening business competitiveness but also safeguarding and enhancing that excellence in craftsmanship that makes ‘made in Lombardy’ recognised worldwide.» — Debora Massari, Lombardy Regional Councillor for Tourism, Territorial Marketing and Fashion

Operational details

For cross-border workers from Ticino, this call for proposals represents a concrete opportunity to engage with a rapidly evolving sector, marked by a growing focus on sustainability and innovation. Ticinese companies operating in the fashion industry — particularly those already collaborating with Lombardy — could apply as partners in funded partnerships, benefiting from a non-repayable grant covering up to 60% of eligible expenses.

A key aspect is the project duration: funded activities must be completed within 24 months, with the possibility of an extension of up to 6 months. This means that participating Ticinese companies will need to meet strict deadlines, especially in areas such as process digitalization and environmental sustainability.

Comparison with the current situation: what changes for cross-border workers?

Before this call for proposals, collaboration opportunities between Ticino and Lombardy in the fashion sector were limited to isolated initiatives or smaller-scale projects. With "Next Fashion," however, Regione Lombardia introduces a structured mechanism that explicitly encourages cross-border collaboration, provided that participating companies meet sustainability and innovation requirements.

In particular, cross-border workers employed by Lombard companies could be involved in projects that include:

• The adoption of digital technologies for managing production processes;
• The transition to sustainable materials, with a focus on traceability;
• Participation in knowledge networks between businesses and research centers.

«The call for proposals offers non-repayable grants tailored to company size, up to 60% for micro and small enterprises, 50% for medium-sized ones, and 40% for large companies, with a maximum of 1 million euros per partnership». — Alessandro Fermi, Regional Councillor for University and Research

How to evaluate participation: pros and cons

The advantages for a Ticinese company deciding to participate include:

• Access to significant funding without the need for loans;
• The opportunity to strengthen its position in the Lombard market, already renowned for the quality of Italian craftsmanship;
• The chance to acquire expertise in areas such as digitalization and sustainability, increasingly demanded by consumers.

The risks, however, include:

• The complexity of the application process, which requires careful planning;
• The need to comply with often stringent environmental and technological standards;
• Competition with Lombard companies already established in the sector.

For companies operating in Ticino, participating in this call could represent a growth strategy, especially if they are already active in the Italian market or interested in expanding their presence. However, it is essential to carefully assess the requirements, timelines, and compatibility of the projects with their own production capabilities.

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Key points

Participating in the 'Next Fashion' call for proposals requires a step-by-step process that begins with verifying eligibility requirements and concludes with submitting the application. Here’s how to proceed, taking into account specific considerations for Ticino-based companies.

1. Verifying eligibility requirements

First, it’s essential to confirm that your Ticino-based company meets the general criteria of the call for proposals, which include:

• Being an SME or part of a partnership consisting of 3 to 5 companies;
• Operating in the fashion, textile, or accessories sector, with a particular focus on projects that integrate sustainability, innovation, and digitalization;
• Being able to present a business plan demonstrating the project’s feasibility and adherence to the timeline (24 months + a 6-month extension).

For Ticino-based companies, it’s crucial to also verify compliance with Swiss law, particularly regarding state aid and subsidies. Although the call for proposals is managed by Regione Lombardia, participation by Ticino-based companies is conditional on compliance with cantonal and federal Swiss regulations on public incentives.

2. Establishing the partnership

The call for proposals encourages collaboration between companies of different sizes and geographical origins. For a Ticino-based company, selecting Lombardy-based partners is key. It’s possible to seek out companies already active in the fashion sector that have submitted similar projects or are interested in innovation.

Useful tools:

• The Ticino Chamber of Commerce offers networking services and support in finding partners;
• SUPSI and USI can provide consulting on projects that integrate digital technologies or environmental sustainability;
• Industry associations such as Atic Ticino or Moda Ticino can help identify Lombardy-based companies already involved in similar calls for proposals.

3. Preparing the documentation

The application must include:

• A detailed project proposal (maximum 30 pages), focusing on innovation, sustainability, and employment impact;
• A financial budget specifying eligible expenses (e.g., machinery purchases, training, consulting);
• A declaration of compliance with environmental and social regulations;
• A letter of intent from all partners in the partnership.

⚠️ Important: Expenses must be incurred after submitting the application and within 24 months of receiving the grant. Careful planning of timelines and resources is therefore essential.

4. Submitting the application

Applications can be submitted online via the regional platform Bandir Lombardia, by the deadline specified in the call for proposals (not yet detailed in the source). It’s advisable to periodically check the website for any updates on the timeline.

5. Evaluation and monitoring

Once submitted, the project will be evaluated by a regional committee. Evaluation criteria include:

• Originality and innovation of the project;
• Environmental and social sustainability;
• Impact on the production chain;
• Ability to generate employment (including indirect employment).

For Ticino-based companies, it’s advisable to constantly monitor the status of the application via the regional platform and prepare for any requests for additional documentation.

Deadlines and timelines

• Projects must be completed within 24 months of receiving the grant;
• A possible 6-month extension is available upon justification;
• Application submission deadline: not yet specified (check Bandir Lombardia).

💡 Practical tip: If your company operates in the fashion sector and could benefit from funding for innovation, contact Ticino-based industry associations immediately to assess participation in this call for proposals. Collaborating with Lombardy-based partners could open up new business opportunities and strengthen your company’s competitiveness.

Source: varesenews.it