Flanders actively offers ecological investment support
Thinking of going green with your investments in Flanders? Consider applying online for a grant or other ecological investment support from Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO).
Ecology Premium-Plus (EP-Plus)
The Ecology Premium Plus (EP-Plus) is only granted to investments in technologies that feature on a limitative technology list or LTL. This list contains about 30 technologies within 3 categories:
- environmental technologies;
- energy technologies;
- renewable energy and combined heat and power.
Ecological investments that are eligible for aid through green certificates and cogeneration certificates are not eligible for an EP-Plus grant.
| Type of investment | Eco class | Eco No. | SMEs - subsidy percentages | LEs - subsidy percentages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental technologies |
A B |
9 6 |
50% 30% |
40% 15% |
| Energy saving investments |
A B |
9 6 |
40% 30% |
30% 15% |
| Renewable energy and cogeneration |
A B |
9 6 |
55% 30% |
45% 15% |
Note: to determine the amount of the ecology premium, VLAIO looks at the performance of the technology in which your company invests. The amount varies according to the size of the enterprise and the technological category. Expressed through an “ecology number”, a technology’s performance indicates how much it contributes to the Kyoto and Flanders’ environmental goals. Based on this number, technologies are assigned to an eco-class and linked to a specific subsidy percentage.
Strategic Ecology Support (STRES)
The Strategic Ecology Support (STRES) is an additional funding tool for companies using technologies which – due to their exceptional and unique character – do not feature on the LTL list and are being deployed in ‘strategic’ environmental projects.
With this ecology bonus, Flanders’ government aims to encourage companies to organize production processes in a more ecofriendly and energy-efficient way by funding part of the additional costs involved in such an investment. The ecology bonus amounts to 20%, 30% or 40% of the additional costs, depending on the scope of the enterprise and technology. Note, however, that the support for each individual company is limited to a maximum of EUR 1 million every 3 years.
| Eco-class | Eco score | SME support | LE support |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 9-6 | 40% | 30% |
| B | 4-3 | 30% | 20% |
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There’s more where that came from! Check out Flanders’ targeted grants and support measures: |