Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) launched its LS&Co. Collaboratory, an annual fellowship program for socially and environmentally conscious entrepreneurs who see design and sustainability as inextricably linked, and are working to create a more sustainable apparel industry.
Each year, the LS&Co. Collaboratory focuses on a specific social or environmental issue facing the industry—whether that’s textile waste, water shortages or workers’ rights. On the heels of LS&Co.’s public release of its Water<Less techniques, the initial fellowship program will target entrepreneurs who are interested in developing new technologies and methodologies to understand and reduce their water footprint.
“As an industry, we need to make sustainability a top priority and this means coming together to tackle the big social and environmental issues of our time,” said Chip Bergh, president and CEO, LS&Co. “The LS&Co. Collaboratory embeds the principles we’ve followed over the last 163 years to help foster the next generation of designers and entrepreneurs so that together we can build an apparel industry that restores the environment and protects our most vital resources.”
Entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs from around the world will be invited to attend an immersive workshop at LS&Co.’s Eureka Innovation Lab in San Francisco. As fellows, they will work alongside established leaders in design, innovation and sustainability to accelerate their water sustainability ideas. In addition to the workshop, fellows may receive up to $50,000 in funding to implement their solutions.
Collaboratory curriculum was developed in partnership with the Aspen Institute, an educational and policy studies organization that aims to foster leadership based on enduring values and provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues. The program design was developed in partnership with GOOD Corps, GOOD Worldwide Inc.’s strategy and design team that partners with organizations to develop and implement initiatives and powerful calls to action to create social impact.
The program is open to leaders of for profit and not-for-profit organizations. Applications are now open and the 2016 fellows will be announced later this summer.
