Manufacturers’ Mentoring Programme 3.0

On the 27^th of October, 2022, the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency launches its Manufacturers’ Mentoring Programme for the third time, aimed at strengthening the Hungarian manufacturing base and facilitating international expansion. The businesses that meet the criteria can submit their applications by midnight, 27 November, which will be evaluated by a professional jury in the following 30 days. The chosen manufacturers will participate in a programme that is expected to last four months, during which, they can widen their knowledge through workshops and personal organisational development and innovation consultations.

The Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency (HFDA) organised its first mentoring programme for domestic manufacturers in October 2020, with the Hungarian Export Promotion Agency (HEPA) as its main professional partner. The launch of the programme was preceded by research conducted with surveys and interviews on the situation of domestic manufacturers, based on which, the HFDA assessed the potential of the Hungarian creative industry. Manufacturing development and up-to-date technical knowledge help manufacturers grow, which plays a role in reinforcing the international fashion and design industry position of Hungary and Budapest. During the programme held with the participation of professionals, manufacturers gain forward-looking knowledge on company management, technology, sales and sustainability.

The programme's goal is to help manufacturers prevail more in international markets, mastering communication, manufacturing development, and sales techniques and practices of international trends. Participating manufacturers of the mentoring programme can study the newest economic possibilities, they get an insight into the importance of connecting the professional value chain, increasing the added value, and possibilities for cooperation between manufacturer and designer with professional and business mentors.

In its operation, the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency monitors market needs and professional changes continuously and optimises its programmes accordingly. Therefore, the Manufacturers' mentoring programme is open to manufacturers working in the creative manufacturing industry as well as textile and clothing industry enterprises. The applications are open for manufacturers operating in the following categories: men's, women's and children's clothing, handbags, footwear, leather and other clothing; household ceramics, concrete plaster and cement products, office furniture, other office furniture, kitchen furniture, stone working, and electrical lighting equipment. The application is done by submitting the documents included in the call for applications of the mentoring programme, including the presentation of the manufacturer, their portfolio, and previous reference works.  The documents must be sent to the HFDA, to  gyartomentorjelentkezes@hfda.hu in Hungarian, in a pdf, by the 27^th of November, midnight, at the latest. Further prerequisites for application are a registered base, establishment, or branch in Hungary and manufacturer registration on the HFDA Spot professional platform. In the 30 days following the end of applications, a jury of the HFDA’s representative, industry professionals, and experts of the Hungarian Export Promotion Agency (HEPA) will evaluate the entries. The applicants will get a confirmation about the receipt of the submitted work in every case within five workdays.

The Manufacturers Mentoring Programme is expected to last four months, during which, manufacturers will participate in online and offline workshops, one-to-one organisation development meetings, and innovation consultations; the programme will conclude with a closing evaluation. 

You can find a detailed description of the programme and the current call for applications HERE.