The seismic retrofitting of existing structures is a critical aspect of ensuring the safety and resilience of buildings in earthquake- regions, with particular attention when historical buildings are considered, given their cultural and architectural relevance. Fabric Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM) systems have gained significant attention due to their performance in enhancing the seismic capacity of structures, with the possibility to be applied on concrete and masonry structures without compromising their aesthetic integrity. The development of sustainable and high-performance materials in structural retrofitting has led to growing interest in Fabric-Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM) systems incorporating alkali-activated matrices. These systems, which replace traditional Portland cement with alternative binders based on industrial by-products, offer a lower environmental impact while maintaining mechanical effectiveness. In this study an experimental investigation into the axial behavior of small-size clay brick masonry columns confined with FRCM systems employing both traditional cement based mortar and highly concentrated alkali-activated mortar is carried out. The performance of these systems was assessed in terms of ultimate load capacity, axial strain, failure mechanisms, and ductility. It is noteworthy that the present experimental study is part of the STRIPES research project, funded by the PRIN- PNRR 2022 call, which aims at developing sustainable mortars for structural repair/retrofitting interventions.