After the successful implementation of the 1st Call, the 2nd Call for Energy Eficiency Action Grants has been published, with a maximum grant amount of up to €10,000 per business. The application deadline is February 28, 2025, at 17:00 CET.
The EENergy Project aims to improve the energy eficiency of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) by at least 5%. The project is funded by the European Union’s Single Market Programme (SMP) and is implemented with the support of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN). The total project budget amounts to €9 million. However, part of these funds has not been utilized during the 1st call. For this reason, the 2nd Call has been published to ensure the remaining funds are used through new applications and actions.
Objective and Eligibility of the Call
The 2nd call is open to all SMEs wishing to implement energy eficiency actions. With the support of the EEN Sustainability Advisors:
- 900 SMEs will develop action plans for energy improvement.
- 229 SMEs will be selected for funding, of which at least 67 will operate in Energy Intensive Industries (EII).
The funding, of up to €10,000 per SME, will cover activities aiming to reduce energy consumption by at least 5%.
Eligible Activities
- Investments: Covers the implementation, acquisition, purchase, and/or installation of new software, hardware, equipment, or other technologies.
- Advisory Services: Includes advisory and consultancy services related to identifying and implementing energy eficiency improvements, as well as energy audits.
- Skills & Training: Covers access to training sessions, seminars, and programs for educating and upgrading employees on energy eficiency matters.
The activities can be combined, but the grant does not exceed €10,000 per SME.
The required documents for the 2nd Call (application, guide, etc.) are available on the EENergy project website (https://www.eenergy-project.eu/).
The application must provide information about the business itself, as well as the activities aimed at improving energy eficiency by at least 5% and the expected funding for the implementation of these activities (Action Plan). After the call deadline, all applications will be checked for eligibility, and the selection process will be carried out through a lottery. Once contracts are signed with the selected beneficiaries, the implementation of the action plans will begin.
All SMEs, whether selected for funding or not, will receive:
- Support from the EEN Sustainability Advisors.
- Anonymous performance comparison reports with other SMEs of similar size and sector.
Eligibility Criteria
- It is a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) as defined by the Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC:
(a) Employs fewer than 250 persons; and
(b) Has:
(i) either an annual turnover not exceeding EUR 50 million or
(ii) an annual balance sheet total not exceeding EUR 43 million.
To verify the above limits, the company must first determine whether it is: an autonomous, partner or linked enterprise. To confirm which category you fall into, you can refer to the User Guide issued by the European Commission in all official languages. In particular please seepage 15–Step 4: “How do I calculate these data”. You are also advised to complete and present a “Declaration” regarding SME qualification. The relevant form is attached below.
- It was incorporated before the 1stof January 2023 (Registration Nu. Dpt. of Registrar of Companies and Official Receiver)
- Registered in the VAT Registry
- It is not «undertaking in dificulty» i.e. is not in financial dificulty, bankruptcy, liquidation proceedings, legal proceedings or other similar situation in accordance with Commission Regulation 651/2014/EC (Art. 2, Par. 18).
Focus on Energy Intensive Industries
Energy Intensive Industries are a central target of the project due to their high energy footprint. Sectors such as agriculture, metals, ceramics, cement, chemicals, food, and pharmaceuticals are particularly encouraged to participate.
For your information, the most popular sectors in which projects were submitted during the 1st Call included:
- Installation of alternative energy sources (e.g., solar panels, heat pumps).
- Prevention of energy losses (e.g., insulation, window replacement).
- Upgrading systems (e.g., LED lighting, modern servers).
Submission of Applications
Interested SMEs can contact the Enterprise Europe Network Cyprus, via email at eency@ccci.org.cy. The EEN Cyprus sustainability advisor will assist them in designing a tailored energy efficiency action plan and submitting their application.
For any further information or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us at the following phone numbers: 22 88 97 49 / 52 / 66 / 69, or via email at eency@ccci.org.cy.
DECLARATION – INFORMATION ON THE SME QUALIFICATION
Stalo Demosthenous Senior Oficer CCCI | Directorate of European Affairs | Coordinator of Enterprise Europe Network Cyprus Tel. 22889752, stalo@ccci.org.cy