The deliverable focuses on mapping and gap analysis of value chains for sustainable and circular textiles. While linear value chains are fairly straightforward, the move towards circularity opens up a wide range of new options for building value chains, for example by considering reuse, upcycling or all recycling options. This adds complexity and creates new types of obstacles.

The self-assessment tool is developed to help profile SMEs and evaluate the recycling potential of their products and processes. The self-assessment tool supports businesses by giving feedback and suggestions for the next steps to be undertaken and- the support needed to grow and match with other SMEs, as part of the ecosystem. This tool must help the SMEs to detect their own capacities and shortcomings, identify coaching or training needs, provide links to complementary partnerships, benchmarks, and improve their strategies and approaches to eco-design, waste management and recycling.

The RGT Hubs' prime functions and ongoing actions reveals a focus on creating circular textile value chains, attracting and de-risking investments, offering SMEs access to infrastructure, and fostering a community of cross-fertilization for SMEs. The recommendation is for all hubs to continue and learn from successful actions, especially focusing on functionalities not yet implemented. Special attention is advised for actions related to attracting individual (SME) investments and enhancing competences in management and operations.

"This deliverable is a plan on how to make an investment strategy for the five RegioGreenTex Regional Hubs ecosystems that also can serve as a blueprint for other regions.

This deliverable report describes the work performed in RegioGreenTex, which aims to create a shared understanding among the consortium members about the recycling model applied to textiles, more in general related to fibres/materials, and the overall textile sector.

The RegioGreenTex tool serves as the digital place to capture the needs and challenges from the different SMEs and match them to relevant SME partners, coaches, experts, courses and more across regions. This digital tool, and all content created within the different Work Packages in the project and shared via the Tool, are made available, for free and exclusively, to all the consortium members for the full duration of the project.

This report aims to highlight the complementary activities of RegioGreenTex to design the “SME Advisory Services Strategy”. The various pilots incorporated within the RegioGreenTex initiative have been selected for their elevated degree of circularity, innovativeness, and sustainability, as well as for the significant influence they could generate, not only on the company's business strategy, but also for their scalability in the local, national and international ecosystems.

The primary purpose of this paper is to provide more detailed information on the workplan of the Regional hub ecosystems to RegioGreenTex partners and the representatives of the EU I3 Programme. Additionally, it aims to inform potential stakeholders within the different hub ecosystems about strategy, roadmap and related initiatives. Moreover, this paper serves as an initial invitation to stakeholders such as companies, researchers, NGOs and policymakers to join and contribute to the development of these ecosystems. As such it also intends to directly support the investment plans of the SMEs within RegioGreenTex.