The STAGE Financial Grants Programme has launched the second call for grants to support the EU’s strategic climate and environmental objectives.

As in the previous call, STAGE has made €50,000 in funding and practical advice available for companies to develop investment concepts in innovation and zero waste economy.

The grants will be distributed in different funding phases and will be used by the companies for:

  • Draw up an investment project plan (modernisation and technological innovation, automation, digitalisation, implementation of renewable energy or circular economy models, etc.).

  • Pay for additional services necessary for the development of the investment plan (feasibility study, technology audit, data collection and analysis of carbon footprint assessment, prototyping, pilot testing and demonstration, adaptation of business processes, support for the use of test facilities, other specialised consultancy and coaching services related to the preparation of the investment plan).

STAGE is a unique support mechanism, co-funded by the European Commission, which helps companies to prepare sustainability reports and prepare for investment.

The current call will remain open until 7 February 2024. Applicants from across the EU and from Horizon Europe partner countries are eligible to apply.

This grant will enable beneficiaries to act on their needs related to the development of investment plans in support of their sustainable future.

Applying for funding is simple. First, companies have to register on the STAGE platform and then complete the first step, the Initial Assessment, a user-friendly tool that analyses an organisation’s performance on different ESG aspects as well as its level of innovation. Afterwards, companies have to go to the Application section of the platform and follow the instructions to participate.

For the selected beneficiaries, the offer includes specific advice, which brings the project idea closer to private or public investors.

Sustainability Advisors play a crucial role in this process, providing expert guidance to companies to develop their investment plans and these experts can also benefit from the current open call.

Important: Funding must be spent on services provided only by Sustainability Advisors, who are part of the STAGE ecosystem and are registered on the platform.

For more information, please visit the STAGE financial support programme section: https://stagepartners.eu/financial-grants

Source: STAGE PROGRAMME