The maximum financing that an enterprise can receive is 50 000 EUR, which is divided into two stages:

- 1st stage – 5 000 EUR lump sum for the development of an investment project plan for sustainability transformation. The grant is to be released when the investment plan is submitted but not later than 3 months after signing financial grant contract. 

- 2nd stage – 0.4 % (maximum 45 000 EUR) of the private investment received for investment project plan implementation. The amount shall only be provided if an agreement for attracting private investment is concluded within the period of 6 months from signing the financial grant contract.

All companies can join and benefit from the existing tools and open training courses available within the STAGE Sustainability Transition Programme (PHASE 1 AND PHASE 2). However, only SMEs from EU member states and Horizon Europe associated countries can apply for and receive financial support (PHASE 3).

The STAGE Financial Grant Programme is open to all SMEs operating in all 14 European Industrial Ecosystems defined by the EC (please see above).

In addition, The Programme will not finance any activity, production, use, distribution, business or trade involving:

1.      Forced labour or child labour;

2.      Activities or materials deemed illegal under host country laws or regulations or international conventions and agreements, or subject to international phase-outs or bans, such as:

a)     Ozone-depleting substances, PCB's (Polychlorinated Biphenyls) and other specific, hazardous pharmaceuticals, pesticides/herbicides or chemicals;

b)     Wildlife or products regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); or

c)      Unsustainable fishing methods (e.g. blast fishing and drift net fishing in the marine environment using nets in excess of 2.5 km in length).

3.      Cross-border trade in waste and waste products, unless compliant with the Basel Convention and the underlying regulations.

4.      Destruction of High Conservation Value areas

5.      Radioactive materials and unbounded asbestos fibers

6.      Pornography and/or prostitution

7.      Racist and/or anti-democratic media

8.      If any of the following products form a substantial part of a project’s primary financed business activities:

a)      Alcoholic Beverages (except beer and wine);

b)     Tobacco;

c)      Weapons and munitions; or

d)     Gambling, casinos and equivalent enterprises.

9.      Coal prospection, exploration, mining or processing

10.   Oil exploration or production

11.   Standalone fossil gas exploration and/or production

12.   Transport and related infrastructure primarily used for coal for power generation

13.   Crude Oil Pipelines

14.   Oil Refineries

15.   Construction of new or refurbishment of any existing coal-fired power plant (including dual)

16.   Construction of new or refurbishment of any existing HFO-only or diesel-only power plant producing energy for the public grid and leading to an increase of absolute CO2 emissions

17.   Any business with planned expansion of captive coal used for power and/or heat generation.

For more information on eligibility rules, please check the Guidelines.

No, the financial support can be spent on services provided only by Sustainability Advisors who are part of the STAGE eco-system. When applying for the grant, the SME shall provide a letter of confirmation by а STAGE Sustainability Advisor for the intent to provide the relevant services.

Any Sustainability Advisor not yet part of the STAGE eco-system but meeting the minimal criteria, can register with us. More information can be found here.

Yes, you can work with a different advisor(s) and with as many advisors as you need for the different phases of the STAGE Programme who can help you reach your sustainability goals.

The investment plan idea has to aim for an investment of €5 million or more. It shall foresee technological excellence-related action, for example: advanced industrial technologies being adopted and/or innovative solutions; an increase of digital readiness level; implementation of management standards; value stream management; new sustainable business models being implemented; sustainable energy and energy efficiency solutions, etc.

The investment plan idea shall foresee positive economic impact, for example: revenue growth, profit growth, jobs created, waste reduction, carbon footprint reduction, increased energy efficiency, increased energy cost savings, etc.

Only 100 SMEs shall receive financial support. Eligibility and selection criteria shall apply. If you meet the eligibility criteria but you are not awarded a grant, following the selection procedure, you will be able to apply again within the next upcoming open call.