EENergy call for proposals now open: non-repayable grants of up to 10,000 euros for SME energy efficiency improvements

The first call for the EENergy grant is officially open until 15 April, aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) intending to design and implement energy efficiency activities.

Specifically, the call allows SMEs across Europe to apply for a maximum grant of 10,000 euros with 100% funding for investments aimed at energy efficiency (for example, through the purchase, replacement, and installation of more efficient equipment or for green energy generation), as well as sustainability advisory servicesfrom the Enterprise Europe Network.

The EENergy project, under which this call has been published, is carried out in collaboration with the Enterprise Europe Network and, in addition to the investment grant, also entitles recipients to sustainability advisory services.

Over two years and through two calls, the programme will support at least 1,800 SMEs in developing action plans to improve their energy efficiency and will also include an EENergy grant of up to 10,000 euros for at least 900 SMEs.

The EENergy grant is a one-off support mechanism that will be awarded to individual SMEs following the preparation and implementation of a concrete action plan aimed at an improvement of at least 5% in energy efficiency.

To participate in the call and be eligible for the grant, SMEs must work with Enterprise Europe Network sustainability advisors, who will support interested SMEs in designing a personalised efficiency plan and in submitting their application. The latter must provide precise information about the company, as well as the type of energy efficiency improvements planned and the funding expected to implement the action plan. From all eligible applications, SMEs will be selected at random to receive a grant of up to 10,000 euros.

All eligible applicants participating in the open call, regardless of whether they receive the grant, will continue to benefit from the advisory services and assistance of Enterprise Europe Network sustainability advisors during the implementation of their action plan and will also receive anonymous benchmarking reports on their energy efficiency performance compared to all other applicants (with reference to size, sector, and location).

For further information on the call and to assess the pre-feasibility of a proposal, please contact een1@confindustria.lombardia.it