Deadline: October 06, 2025
The Green Textile Innovation Challenge aims to promote the creative industry in the textile field through exhibition and fashion show.
The project “Strengthening the Sustainability of Mali’s Textile Sector through Partnerships with the Private Sector”, funded by the Japan Supplementary Budget (JSB-TICAD), aims to sustainably transform the cotton-textile value chain in Mali, particularly in Bamako and Ségou, through four action areas: Strengthening the added value of Malian cotton to meet the demands of the global textile market. Promoting environmental sustainability throughout the cotton-textile value chain. Strengthening employment and skills development through innovative training and resource-efficient practices for women and young artisans.
Mali has a rich and diverse textile heritage shaped by artisans and designers skilled in spinning, weaving, dyeing, and embroidery. Malian cotton stands as the emblematic raw material, supporting livelihoods and cultural identity while garnering international attention. As one of Africa’s top three cotton producers, Mali generates significant output, but much of it leaves the country as raw fiber, limiting its access to high value-added markets. Local artisans, particularly women and youth in cities like Bamako and Ségou, play a key role in the cultural and creative landscape, though they continue to face challenges such as limited access to quality raw materials, unfair competition from imported imitations, technical constraints, and difficulties in accessing larger markets.
The competition highlights the importance of both traditional textiles and Bazin, an imported material enhanced locally through dyeing and embroidery. Its aesthetic richness combined with local craftsmanship showcases the innovation and resilience of Malian creators. This initiative, through exhibitions and fashion shows, provides a platform for greater visibility and long-term opportunities for designers, ensuring the preservation of cultural heritage while promoting economic sustainability.
The Innovation Challenge offers significant financial rewards, with three winners receiving prizes of 2,000,000 FCFA, 1,500,000 FCFA, and 1,000,000 FCFA. In addition to the main prizes, each of the ten finalists will be awarded 2,500,000 FCFA to support the design and development phase of their creations. Applications are free of charge and must be submitted no later than October 6th.
For more information, visit UNDP.
