Strategic ecology support (STRES)

As an entrepreneur, do you have a unique idea that could be used as a technology to make your business processes more sustainable and climate-friendly? Is this idea so specific that it cannot be standardised? Is the technology not listed on the limited list of eligible technologies, making it ineligible for the Ecology Premium+?

In that case, the Flemish government, through VLAIO, aims to support SMEs and large enterprises in realising ecological investment plans via Strategic Ecological Support (or STRES for short). This support applies to significant investments: project costs (ecological investments) must amount to at least €1.5 million to be eligible.

What is Strategic Ecological Support (STRES)?

This support measure targets large-scale projects with a distinctly innovative character that achieve significant and demonstrable environmental benefits. These ecological investments also provide strategic advantages for the company and for Flanders.

The ecological investments must fall within one of the following eight themes:

• Transition to a circular economy: high-value recycling of waste, raw material efficiency, circular water use, etc.;
• Energy efficiency measures in business processes;
• Renewable energy and electrification;
• Carbon capture and utilisation (CCU);
• District heating networks;
• Shore power installations;
• Environmental protection;
• Environmental studies.

Who is eligible for Strategic Ecological Support?

This support is intended for both SMEs and large enterprises that have a unique, innovative investment plan aimed at making the production process more ecological (with significant, measurable environmental benefits).

The project must meet several eligibility conditions:

• The technology being invested in is not listed on the limited technology list (LTL) of the Ecology Premium+;
• The investments are not legally required;
• The investments have not yet commenced;
• The project must be of sufficient scale;
• The environmental return must be substantiated with clear evidence;
• Project costs must amount to a minimum of €1.5 million (a major change from the previous threshold of €3 million).

Don’t have a fully developed plan yet? STRES now also offers support for preliminary environmental studies.

What support is available under STRES?

The support is determined by:

• the size of the applicant company;
• the eco-class of the investments;
• the type of investment, which must fall within one of the eight themes.

The support rate ranges from 20% to 70%, depending on the size of the company and the technology involved.

Total support is capped at €500,000 per company over a three-year period. A company may submit multiple projects, but the total support ceiling cannot be exceeded.

When to submit a STRES project and duration

Strategic Ecological Support can be applied for on a rolling basis. VLAIO aims to respond within four months of application (depending on the size of the request and volume of submissions).

The project must commence no later than twelve months after approval and must be completed within three years.

How can Konnekto support your STRES application?

Konnekto is your trusted partner to initially assess the project idea without obligation.

If the project plan meets the criteria, we will work closely with you to write the full project submission and application, prepare a sound budget, and assist with the online submission and subsequent evaluation process.

Even after project approval, we remain at your side to guide your company through reporting and timely claim submissions for funding tranches, as well as to proactively identify other subsidy opportunities.