EU and Ministry of Textiles Launch Initiatives to Strengthen India’s Textile Sector

The European Union (EU) and the Ministry of Textiles have jointly launched seven projects to enhance India’s textile and handicraft sector. Announced at Bharat Tex, these initiatives aim to promote sustainability, economic empowerment, and resource efficiency across nine states in India.

EU’s Funding and Sustainable Growth

The projects, backed by an EU grant of EUR 9.5 million (₹85.5 crores), aim to drive inclusive growth and sustainability. Over the next three to five years, they will directly benefit 35,000 individuals, including 15,000 MSMEs, 5,000 artisans, and 15,000 farmer-producers. Additionally, around 200,000 women are expected to gain economic empowerment through these initiatives.

These projects align with the Ministry of Textiles’ “Sustainable Bharat Mission for Textiles” and contribute to the EU-India Resource Efficiency Circular Economy initiative. The funding comes under the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy, with collaboration from Germany’s Federal Ministry (BMUV) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Government of India.

Cultural Preservation and Market Expansion

The initiatives will be implemented in Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Haryana. They will focus on enhancing production, branding, and market access for natural dyes, bamboo crafts, handlooms, shawls, and traditional textiles. Key organisations such as Humana People to People India, Deutsche Welthungerhilfe EV, Stiftelsen Varldsnaturfonden WWF, and others will lead the implementation.

With over 45 million individuals employed in the textile sector—60% of whom are women—the projects aim to address environmental challenges such as emissions, energy consumption, and low recycling rates. The launch of the “Textiles’ Toolkit,” in collaboration with GIZ, further supports India’s efforts towards a circular economy.

Conclusion

By integrating tradition with innovation, these projects seek to create a sustainable and competitive textile industry in India. The EU’s commitment to supporting environmentally sustainable practices strengthens its partnership with India in fostering long-term economic and social development.

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