- The deadline for applications is Monday 20 February 2023.
- The European Union within the NextGenerationEU framework funds the scholarship programme.
The Break Fellowship is a scholarship programme, worth over €7,000, funded by the European Union within the NextGenerationEU framework. The aim is to build an international network of 1,000 women entrepreneurs, develop key skills, boost their business and immerse themselves in a 28-day working retreat in Spain. In addition, the Break Fellowship is compatible with the beneficiary’s work schedule.
The experience begins with a 10-week hybrid acceleration programme that aims to achieve 3 specific objectives. The first is acceleration, which consists of taking the business to the next level through the latest design and management methodologies, high-level partnerships and expert mentoring. A tailor-made journey for sustainable businesses through workshops and mentoring sessions. The second objective is collaboration, creating an international community for life, consisting of 1000 women entrepreneurs of more than 50 nationalities from all over the European Union. Finally, the third objective is local development: during the stay in Spain, some open innovation activities will be carried out to solve local challenges. The aim is to grow the different businesses while they collaborate with each other, learn and build relationships with local entrepreneurs and people.
Requirements
The deadline for applying for these scholarships is Monday 20 February 2023. To be eligible for this scholarship programme you must meet the following requirements:
– Be a resident of the European Union. You can apply regardless of nationality as long as you are resident in the EU, excluding Spain. In 2022, there were participants of 52 different nationalities.
– No more than 5 years in business. It is a call for start-ups and freelancers.
– High level of English. The Break Fellowship is taught entirely in English, so a high level of English is required.
If you want to register, or find out more about this scholarship programme click here.
About COSME
COSME is the Competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises programme of the European Commission’s Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME).
Through this programme, assistance is provided to SMEs to help them develop their business models, access finance, and internationalise. It also supports public administrations in improving the business environment and facilitating economic growth in the European Union. During the 2014-2020 funding period, this programme earmarked €2.3 billion to support SMEs.
About IED
Istituto Europeo di Design is an academic institution operating in the field of education, training, and research in the disciplines of design, fashion, visual communication, and management. IED has branches in Spain (Madrid and Barcelona), Italy (Milan, Rome and 5 other cities) and Brazil (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro). It operates in several EU and
COSME countries through partnerships and agreements with institutions, business support organisations, teachers, experts, and mentors. IED is based on a wide network of connections in the F&T (Fashion and Textile) sector.
About Finnova
Finnova is a foundation working for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship at EU level. Based in Brussels, it operates through collaborations and partnerships in all EU countries. Finnova’s expertise in leading European project communication and dissemination activities is combined with a strong proven track record in start-ups and business support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and selection and award ceremonial events.
About Texfor
Texfor is the textile association of reference in Spain with 400 members. Founded in November 2010 and based in Catalonia, it brings together companies from the entire textile value chain, from yarns to fabrics through accessories, finishing processes, printing, and dyeing for the garment industry, home textiles and technical / industrial applications. Texfor has expertise and experience, having worked in important expert committees at EU level: university and vocational training, financial capacity building, transversal collaboration, promotion of R&D&I, specialised services, and leadership in sustainability with a focus on the circular economy.
About Circulab
Circulab is a laboratory and business design studio specialising in the development of methodologies, tools, and transformation programmes to help companies develop circular and sustainable business models. Circulab has designed a set of tools to implement the circular economy model in companies. It operates in more than 23 countries, 9 of them in the European Union, supporting projects through more than 60 independent business consultants, applying the circular methodology and tools.
About The Circular Project with HumanNation TCP (The Circular Project) supports and promotes circular and sustainable fashion in different areas, offering the fashion industry a communication strategy based on a crosscutting and systemic approach to the circular economy. TCP combines social, ethical, environmental, and economic aspects, and has a strong presence and connections in the world of sustainable fashion. TCP has promoted the Circular Sustainable Fashion Week in Madrid, a unique event of its kind, and acts as the headquarters of the Spanish Association for Sustainability, Innovation and Circularity in the Fashion Industry. TCP is also an ambassador for Sannas (Triple Bottom Line Business Association) and has collaborated with a wide range of Spanish, European and Latin American institutions, and companies. The Circular Project is working with Human Nation to co-design and develop CirCoAX. HumanNation is a consulting firm specialising in the development of innovation ecosystems and transformative and disruptive companies for the “new economy”. It is based on the fourth economic sector, systems thinking and co-creation. It sensitises organisations and ecosystems to respect planetary boundaries and the social fabric, creating resilient local economies with a global perspective.
