EUROCHAMBRES – The Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry represents

over 20 million enterprises in Europe – 98% of which are SMEs – through members in 43 countries

and a European network of 1700 regional and local Chambers.

January 2017

National Support Schemes for Energy Audits and Energy Management Systems as required by Art. 8/2 of the Energy Efficiency Directive (2012/27/EU)

10 EU Member States in comparison

Implementation Survey

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Public Support for Energy Audits and Energy Management Systems in Europe

Executive Summary

According to Art. 8/2 of the Energy Efficiency Directive, EU Member States are obliged to develop programmes to promote voluntary energy checks and energy management systems to SMEs, including through financial incentives. In addition, national governments must raise awareness among SMEs on how energy management systems could help their businesses. More than two and a half years after the deadline for transposition of the directive, EUROCHAMBRES has analysed the availability of SME support programmes for conducting energy audits, for establishing energy management systems and for implementing recommendations from energy audits in ten EU Member States. The report shows a mixed picture. 50% of the assessed countries still lack comprehensive financial support measures for energy audits and only 40% provide grants for the implementation of energy management systems. A more positive picture emerges with regard to the availability of support programmes for the implementation of audit recommendations and awareness raising campaigns which were identified in eight out of the ten Member States. In some cases, however, existing support schemes have severe shortcomings, making them unattractive fo SMEs. These include too low co-financing rates and too high minimum thresholds for investments. In other cases, grants are limited to certain energy-intensive sectors, excluding a large part of the economy.

Key recommendations

The European Commission should pressure and support Member States in fulfilling their obligations to swiftly set up support schemes, providing appropriate incentives to undergo energy audits or establish energy management systems.

Member States must ‘think small first’ and provide more SME-customised cross-sector support

programmes, including for smaller investments and featuring higher co-funding rates. Public authorities should collaborate more effectively with trusted and experienced facilitators, such as

Chambers of Commerce and Industry, to ensure the promotion of energy audits and energy management systems to SMEs.

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Public Support for Energy Audits and Energy Management Systems in Europe

Table of contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................... 2

INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................... 4

OVERVIEW OF NATIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAMMES ................................................................................ 5

ASSESSMENT OF NATIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAMMES ................................................................................... 5

AUSTRIA .............................................................................................................................................................. 5 BELGIUM (FLANDERS) ......................................................................................................................................... 7 CROATIA.............................................................................................................................................................. 8 ESTONIA ............................................................................................................................................................. 9 FRANCE ............................................................................................................................................................. 10 HUNGARY ......................................................................................................................................................... 12 ITALY ................................................................................................................................................................. 13 LATIVA............................................................................................................................................................... 14 ROMANIA .......................................................................................................................................................... 15 SPAIN ................................................................................................................................................................ 16

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Public Support for Energy Audits and Energy Management Systems in Europe

Introduction

The Energy Efficiency Directive (2012/27/EU) is not only a key instrument to achieve the EU target to become 20% more energy efficient by 2020. It is also a legal tool to modernise the European economy and provides an opportunity for EU businesses to become more efficient and hence, more competitive From an energy consumer and business perspective, article 8 of the Directive is of particular interest, as it lays out the obligations and conditions for energy audits.1 Gaining a picture of a business’ energy consumption, its processes, infrastructure and transport is an important first step to control and consequently cut production costs. Apart from the energy audit obligations for large companies, Article 8 of the Energy Efficiency Directive also obliges Member States to develop programmes to encourage SMEs to undergo audits. In order to incentivise SMEs, financial support may be considered. Moreover, national governments, with the support of the European Commission, are required to promote best practices on energy management systems to SMEs, also through their respective representative intermediary organisations.

Energy Efficiency Directive, Art.8/2 “Member States shall develop programmes to encourage SMEs to undergo energy audits and the subsequent implementation of the recommendations from these audits. On the basis of transparent and non-discriminatory criteria and without prejudice to Union State aid law, Member States may set up support schemes for SMEs, including if they have concluded voluntary agreements, to cover costs of an energy audit and of the implementation of highly cost-effective recommendations from the energy audits, if the proposed measures are implemented.” Member States shall bring to the attention of SMEs, including through their respective representative intermediary organisations, concrete examples of how energy management systems could help their businesses. The Commission shall assist Member States by supporting the exchange of best practices in this domain.

The following report analysis how 10 European Member States (AT, BE, HR, EE, FR, HU, IT, LV, RO, ES) have fulfilled their legal obligations according to Art. 8/2 of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED). It updates a previous EUROCHAMBRES study on the transposition of Art. 8 of the EED, published in June 2015. The 10 countries have been chosen, due to their involvement in the Intelligent Energy Europe co-financed project ‘STEEEP’ (Support and Training for an Excellent Energy Efficiency Performance), operated by EUROCHAMBRES since February 2014.

1 According to the energy audit provisions of the Directive, business that are not SMEs, are obliged to undergo

comprehensive energy audits by 5 December 2015 and at least every 4 years from the date of the previous audit. Enterprises that regularly carry out energy audits in the context of a certified energy or environmental management system are, however, exempted from the obligation.

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Public Support for Energy Audits and Energy Management Systems in Europe

Overview of National Support Programmes

Country

Energy Audits Energy Management Subsequent Implement-

ation of audit results

Awareness Raising

SME-specific support

Co-funding

rates Financial Practical Financial Practical

Austria Mixed3

Belgium (Fl) ≤40%

Croatia ≤40%

Estonia ≤50%

France ≤70%

Hungary -

Italy ≤50%

Latvia ≤30%

Romania -

Spain -

strong support/action Limited support/action Red: No support/action

Assessment of National Support Programmes

Austria

Transposition act: Federal Law on Energy Efficiency (Bundesenergieeffizienzgesetz)

Financial support

Practical support

Support for implementation of recommendations

Awareness Raising

Energy audits A B

C E

EMS A 2

B

2 Depending on the region

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Public Support for Energy Audits and Energy Management Systems in Europe

Support Programmes A) The Austrian provinces provide programmes (partly co-funded by the federal government) that support

energy consultancy for SMEs. While the exact content and funding rates vary by province, generally they include one or more modules that correspond to an SME energy audit (e.g. basic energy check + an additional consultancy module to elaborate some measures). Some provinces also explicitly support coaching for the implementation of energy management systems. The Austrian Chamber Network is involved in several of these regional programmes that financially and practically support energy consultancy for SMEs.

B) The government initiative “klima:aktiv Betriebe” provides related support, e.g. an e-learning tool for

energy management, brochures, workshops, publication of good practice examples, etc. On top of this, the Austrian Chamber network provides information material, info workshops as well as training on topics related to energy efficiency, energy audits, and energy management.

C) Public funding programmes for measures to save energy in businesses are, available on the federal and, to a varying extent, regional level. While these funds are not exclusively earmarked for financing recommendations resulting from energy audits or energy management systems, they can be used for this purpose, as long as the measures fulfil the general funding criteria.

D) In addition, the national energy efficiency legislation (Bundesenergieeffizienzgesetz) provides for the

possibility to “trade” energy efficiency measures between energy consumers and suppliers. Energy companies that supply end-users in Austria with energy (all sources) are obliged to achieve savings at final consumers of 0.6% of the sales of the previous year. Measures in all sectors are eligible and 40% of savings have to be achieved in households. Alternatively, suppliers can either opt for compensation payments of EUR 0.20/kWh instead of reporting measures or “buy” energy efficiency measures from businesses and households.

Awareness raising

E) The Austrian Chamber network is strongly involved in the dissemination of information on energy

efficiency and about relevant subsidies. The Federal Economic Chamber (WKO) as well as its subsidiary, the Energy Institute for Business (EIW) published several brochures including on energy efficiency, energy management and energy audits. It is also important to note that, since 2004, the Austrian Chamber Network has been offering the EUREM Energy Manager training. This is a comprehensive qualification, which enables participants to conduct energy audits as well as implement energy management schemes. In addition, several regional chambers offer shorter courses for energy auditors. To give just one example, EIW together with co-operation partners offers the GREENFOODS training, which was developed in the framework of an EU project, and provides information relevant for performing an energy audit and planning measures in food and drinks production.

More information: WKÖ, Energy Agency, klima:aktiv Betriebe, EIW

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Public Support for Energy Audits and Energy Management Systems in Europe

Belgium (Flanders)3

Transposition act: VLAREM train 2013 (Article 93)

Financial support

Practical support

Support for implementation of recommendations

Awareness Raising

Energy audits A A

A, C B,D

EMS A

A

Support Programmes

A) Through the SME portfolio, SMEs can benefit from co-financing for consulting and/or training. Within the

scope of the subsidy, an SME is free to choose whatever type of advice or training it can best benefit from, including for energy and environmental purposes. Small businesses can benefit from a yearly maximum support of 10,000€ (co-funding rate of 40%). Medium-sized companies can apply for a maximum of 15,000€ (co-funding rate of 30%). The conduction of an energy audit and the establishment of an energy or environmental management system are eligible funding activities.

B) ‘Self-scan for SMEs’ is a government scheme that provides free ‘energy scans’ for SMEs. These are carried

out by the SMEs themselves. Access to follow-on support is provided through pre-selected engineering companies. The energy scans are managed by the Entrepreneurship Agency.

C) Additional financial support for certain environmental measures can also be requested via the

Entrepreneurship Agency, in the form of an ‘Environmental Allowance Plus’ subsidy or as a ‘Strategic Sustainability Measures’ grant. For enery efficiency measures, further support is available via the programmes Energiepremies DNB and REG premies. Moreover, businesses can benefit form tax breaks for investments in energy efficiency and RES.

Awareness raising

D) The Flemish government granted financial support for developing an energy efficiency benchmark tool for

SMEs. Based on the energy consumption data of over 10,000 SMEs, it was developed and launched in mid-2016. An evaluation of response and impact of this tool is planned for 2017.

3 In Belgium, the promotion of the efficient use of energy is a regional competence. Therefore, support measures for

energy audits have to be assessed on the regional level. Wallonia and Brussels Capital are not part of this study.

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Public Support for Energy Audits and Energy Management Systems in Europe

Moreover, the government has announced to established voluntary Energy Policy Agreements for SMEs (“mini-EPAs”), which will be similar to the voluntary agreement for large companies, already in place since 2014. For the realisation of implementation measures identified in the included energy scans, the government intends to cooperate with trusted intermediaries like Voka, the Flanders' Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

More information: Action Plan Energy Efficinecy in SMEs, SME Portfolio

Croatia

Transposition act: Law on Energy Efficiency (Zakon o energetskoj učinkovitosti)

Financial support

Practical support

Support for implementation of recommendations

Awareness Raising

Energy audits A4 A

A B,E, D

EMS A1

A

Support Programmes A) In 2005, the Croatian government established the Fund for Environmental Protection and Energy

Efficiency (EPEEF) which provides financial and educational support to SMEs. This basically includes co-funding for energy audits and the implementation of energy management systems. However, unlike in previous years, in 2016 no funding was available in this area.

B) Another supporting framework for energy efficiency is provided by the Industrial Energy Efficiency

Networks (IEEN). These voluntary agreements comprise a series of activities targeted at industrial plants. The basic objective is to increase the awareness and knowledge of the management and employees of industrial companies in order to fully utilise the potential of achievable energy savings measures. Energy consumption management structures should be established at company level and at industrial group level, monitoring and analyses of energy consumption should be introduced and targets set. By employing this method, a comprehensive database on energy consumption in industry will be created and indicators will be developed, to be used for benchmarking against companies in the same sector in both, Croatia and the EU. However, in 2016 the activities around the Network slowed down, as the planned creation of a pool of experts for energy efficiency was delayed.

4 Not available in 2016

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Public Support for Energy Audits and Energy Management Systems in Europe

IEEN does not subsidise energy efficiency measures directly. The Network may only use existing resources coming mostly from the EPEEF and indirectly from some EU based programmes over the ministries.

Awareness raising

C) Apart from the activities in the context of the IEEN, the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (CCE) facilitates

contacts between the Centre for Monitoring Business Activities in the Energy Sector (CEI), the EPEEF and the business community (e.g. by organising workshops) in order to inform companies about the availability of support programmes. Furthermore, CCE promotes co-financing opportunities for energy audits under the EPEEF but experienced rather low interest from SMEs, due to the low co-financing rate.

D) Moreover, in cooperation with the CEE, the CEI and the EPEEF, the government established a web portal

for SMEs where specific questions are answered individually.

More information: EPEEF, IEEN, HGK

Estonia

Transposition act: Energy Sector Organisation Act (Energiamajanduse korralduse seadus)

Financial support

Practical support

Support for implementation of recommendations

Awareness Raising

Energy audits A5

B C

EMS A6

Support Programmes

A) In 2016, the Estonian government established a programme to promote energy and resource efficiency in businesses (Ettevõtete ressursitõhusus), funded by the EU Cohesion fund. Both, SMEs and large companies can benefit from up to 50% co-funding for conducting energy and resource audits. However, only companies from mining and manufacturing sectors are eligible for grants. The first call for proposals has a budget of EUR 300,000 and the maximum grant amount per project is EUR 7,500.

B) Starting in January 2017, the same programme will provide grants for projects in businesses that have already implemented energy and resource efficiency audits. In this context, the objectives are to incentivise investments into best available energy efficient technologies and to support resource

5 Only certain sectors are eligible. 6 High minimum investments

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management systems and IT applications. The co-funding rate is again 50%, however, eligible project budgets must exceed a minimum of EUR 100,000 and stay below a maximum EUR 2 million. Grant applicants can be companies from the mining sector or 5 manufacturing subsectors.7

Awareness raising

C) The Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) was involved in working-groups for the

national support programme to promote energy and resource efficiency in businesses, developed by the Ministry of Environment. In this context, the ECCI, the Estonian Ministries of Environment and Economy as well as the Environmental Investment Centre also cooperate on awareness raising. In April 2016, ECCI organised an awareness raising event on energy and resource efficiency in the context of the European STEEEP programme and published an article in the ECCI members Newsletter.

More information: Programme for Energy and Resource Efficiency in Businesses

France

Transposition act: Article L. 233-1 du code de l’énergie, Décret 2013-1121, Décret 2014-1393 and Arrêté du Audit énergétique24 Novembre 2014

Financial support

Practical support

Support for implementation of recommendations

Awareness Raising

Energy audits A A

B E,F

EMS C,D

C,D

Support Programmes A) The French Energy and Environment Agency (ADEME) provides financial support to businesses undergoing

energy audits on a voluntary basis (e.g. SMEs). For small companies, the support covers up to 50% (or even 70% if co-financed by the region) of the total costs. The maximum eligible budget of the action must not exceed EUR 50,000.

B) Additional funding is also available for implementing the recommended energy efficiency actions. The

subsidy covers up to 70% of the cost for small companies, and the maximum eligible budget of the action cannot exceed EUR 100,000. To benefit from the support, the consultant/auditor must comply with certain specifications, defined by ADEME.

7 Food production, wood, paper and other non-metallic mineral products

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Public Support for Energy Audits and Energy Management Systems in Europe

C) Until 2016, the implementation of ISO 50001 certified energy management systems was supported by the system of white certificates (certificats d’économies d’énergie). A first support scheme doubled the value of white certificates for energy saving actions done by an ISO 50001 certified company. Within the white certificate scheme, there is another programme called Pro-SMEn. However, in 2016 only 100 companies in France were able to benefit from this programme. However, it might extend its scope in the coming years. The financial support provided corresponds to 20% of the energy bill of the participating companies and a maximum of 40.000€. Pro-SMEn is supported by the French Ministry of Energy and by ADEME.

D) The French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI France) manages an environmental management

system label called EnVol, supported by ADEME. It will be adapted in 2017, putting a stronger focus on energy management. The label should provide an appropriate first step both towards ISO 140001 and ISO 50001 certification.

Awareness raising

E) In 2012 and 2013, the French government organized a campaign called “Grand débat national sur la

transition énergétique”, which included awareness raising actions among businesses. Furthermore, in March 2015, ADEME organized a big conference on energy within industry (Colloque National). The next edition will take place in September 2017. Additionally, many awareness-raising events took place in the run-up and during COP21, that were labelled “COP 21” by the government.8

F) Apart from government activities, many awareness-raising actions among SMEs have been organised by

the French network for Chambers of Commerce and Industry (with the support of ADEME). In this context, the Chambers approached more than 15,000 SMEs in the year 2015. For example, CCI France has organized 10 stages of a “Tour de France de la transition énergétique en entreprise pour le climat” from November 2015 -November 2016 and will continue to do so in 2017.

More information: ADEME support programmes, Grand débat national sur la transition énergétique, Colloque National, Tour de France de la transition énergétique en entreprise pour le climat, Pro-SMEn, EnVol

Hungary

Transposition act: Law on Energy Efficiency (2015/LVII) and Government Decree on the Implementation of Energy Efficiency (122/2015)

Financial Support

Practical support

Support for implementation of recommendations

Awareness Raising

Energy audits

A B

EMS

8 More information: www.cop21.gouv.fr/projets-labellises, www.plateformesolutionsclimat.org

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Public Support for Energy Audits and Energy Management Systems in Europe

Support Programmes

A) The Economic Development and Innovation Operational Programme (Gazdaságfejlesztésiés Innovációs

Operatív Programme, GINOP), funded by the EU structural funds and the Hungarian government, is the most important national fund for supporting and modernising SMEs. Energy is one of the main priorities of the programme. In the period 2014-2020, the programme provides support for energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources in buildings in the form of combined grants (HUF 59.45 billion ≈ EUR 192 million) and loans (HUF 35.08 billion ≈ EUR 103.4 million). Subsidies amount to between HUF 3 (EUR 9,660) and 50 million (EUR 161,000) The grant-loan ratio differs depending on the size of the company. Costs for energy audits and energy management systems are not eligible. Moreover, GINOP provides HUF 30 billion (EUR 96.7 million) of additional loans for SMEs that intend to invest in energy efficiency or renewable energy sources (excluding wind energy).

Awareness raising

B) In 2011, the “Virtual Power Plant Energy Efficiency Programme” (Virtuális Erőmű Program), co-financed by

the EU Cohesion Fund, was established. The objective of the programme is set off a 200MW virtual power plant's electricity production with proven energy savings by 2020. The activities include awareness raising among SMEs by promoting best practice examples and a self-assessment questionnaire, promotion of energy management and energy efficiency investments, labels for energy conscious companies and an award for the bet-performing SMEs.

More information: Virtual Power Plant Energy Efficiency Programme, GINOP

Italy

Transposition act: Legislative Decree 102/2014 art. 8 §9-10 and art. 13 §1 a

Financial support

Practical support

Support for subsq. implementation of recommendations

Awareness Raising

Energy audits A,B

C D

EMS A,B

Support Programmes D) The Italian Ministry of Economic Development (MISE) and the Ministry of Environment, allocated EUR 15

million for co-financing regional programmes aimed at supporting SMEs in the conduct of energy audits or

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the adoption of management systems compliant with ISO 50001, until 2020. Another EUR 15 million will be provided by the Regions, to add up to a total of EUR 30 million. These funds will be available for co-financing energy audits and the introduction of energy management systems (in accordance with ISO 50001) in SMEs by up to 50 % and a maximum amount of € 5,000 (for audits) and € 10,000 (for management systems) excluding VAT. The distribution of grants to beneficiaries is subject to the effective implementation of identified energy efficiency measures or to the attainment of the ISO 50001 certification.

E) Moreover, some regions provide their own support programmes for financing the uptake of Energy and

Environmental Management Systems and to implement the recommendations of energy audits.

F) Italy offers a number of initiatives that support SMEs in implementing the recommendations arising from an energy audit. These include e.g. White Certificates and “Conto Termico”.

Awareness raising

G) ENEA, the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development,

will provide information and organise an awareness raising campaign targeted among others at SMEs. The main objective is to encourage companies to perform energy audits and to take advantage of other existing subsidies for the installation of efficient technologies. The three-year campaign was launched by ENEA in November 2016, the first year is dedicated to the general public. The second and third year of the campaign will be dedicated to certain target groups. The Italian Chamber Network is not involved in these activities.

More information: MISE, ENEA

Latvia

Transposition act: Law on Energy Efficiency (Energoefektivitātes likums)

Financial support

Practical support

Support for implementation of recommendations

Awareness Raising

Energy audits A

A

EMS A

Support Programmes

A) The Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Latvia has developed a public support programme under the title “Promoting the efficient use of energy resources, reducing energy consumption and transforming to RES in the manufacturing sector”. The programme is part of the multi-fund operational programme “Growth and Employment” that was launched through the Cohesion fund. The financial support is allocated

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Public Support for Energy Audits and Energy Management Systems in Europe

to companies (SMEs and large) in the form of grants. The total available funding for companies under this support programme is EUR 32,5 m.

The programme supports a number of activities, including energy audits, implementations of the recommendations arising from an energy audit and implementation of Energy Management Systems9.

Further activities supported by programme include: - conversion or renovation work for increased energy efficiency in buildings; - Increasing energy efficiency in existing technological production equipment; - replacing old technological manufacturing equipment; - restoration, reconstruction or creation of building engineering systems; - Implementation of renewable energy sources;

Awareness raising

There have not been any awareness raising campaigns on energy audits or energy management systems in Latvia, neither directly by the government nor through representative intermediaries. More information: Public support programme for energy efficiency and RES, Programme “Growth and Employment”

Romania

Transposition act: Law on energy efficiency (lege privind eficienţa energetică, no. 121/2014) and Decision on certification of energy managers (2794/17.12.2014) issued by ANRE (Romanian National Regulatory Authority for Energy)

Financial support

Practical support

Support for implementation of recommendations

Awareness Raising

Energy audits

A

EMS

A

Support Programmes

A) In the framework of the National Energy Efficiency Action Plans, the Energy Efficiency Department has been established to contribute to its implementation. It coordinates energy efficiency policies and programmes,

9 Large companies are not eligible for support on energy audits and EMS due to their obligations arising from Law on Energy

Efficiency.

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covering the administration, monitoring, management and evaluation of the measures. It provides technical support to businesses to undertake energy audits and improvements in their energy efficiency and assists them in the search for financial support for energy efficiency projects. However, it does not provide direct financial support to businesses for these measures.

Awareness Raising

No awareness raising actions on energy audits and energy management systems among SMEs could have been identified. More information: ARNE

Spain Transposition act: Royal Decree on energy audits and promotion of the energy efficiency (RD 56/2016)

Financial support

Practical support

Support for implementation of recommendations

Awareness Raising

Energy audits

A10,B C

EMS A1

Support Programmes

A) In order to facilitate the implementation of energy saving and energy efficiency measures proposed by energy audits, Spain introduced the “Programme for Support to SMEs and Large Companies in the Industrial Sector” (Programa de Ayudas PYME y gran empresa del sector industrial). The programme is managed by the Institute for Diversification and Saving of Energy (IDAE). The financial support can cover up to 30% of the investment or up to EUR 4 million per submission. The investments eligible in this programme must either target “technological improvements of industrial equipment and processes” (minimum investment of €75.000) or the “implementation of energy management systems” (minimum investment of €30.000). The minimum investment rates are often perceived too high for SMEs. Consequently, very few small businesses benefited for the support. Moreover, this fund does not provide direct funding for energy audits.

B) There are several support programmes that offer further funding opportunities for energy efficiency

measures, even though not directly for energy audits or management systems.

10 Very high minimum investments required

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a. JESSICA-FIDAE is a fund worth about EUR 123 million which aims to finance sustainable urban development projects that improve energy efficiency and/or renewable energy use. The fund is co-financed by FEDER and IDAE, and operated by EIB.

b. PAREER-CRECE (Programme to Support the Energy Refurbishments of existing Buildings) provides

EU 200 million for measures that incentivise and promote energy saving, improvements of the energy efficiency, seizing of renewable energies and reduction of CO2 emissions in existing buildings. It also aims to reach the objectives established in the Directive 2012/27/EU.

c. Programa Biomcasa II is a program to facilitate the promotion and funding of projects related to

biomass energy in buildings. d. Programa Geotcasa finances geothermal installations in buildings of qualified companies. e. Programa Solcasa provides financing for solar thermal installations in buildings. f. Programa GIT finances large thermal Installations from renewable sources in the building sector.

Awareness raising

C) The Chamber of Commerce of Spain (CCE) has participated in one project related to energy efficiency

support. It was a collaboration with IDAE consisting of the promotion of the JESSICA-FIDAE fund. CCE organized workshops in some local Chambers of Commerce about JESSICA-FIDAE in which experts from IDAE and from the financial institutions involved in the programme explained the goals of the fund, the eligibility requirements that SMEs had to satisfy and further important details. The aim of CCE’s collaboration was to contact the businesses interested in this type of funding through the local Chambers of Commerce database and using the facilities of CCIs.

More information: Programa de Ayudas PYME y gran empresa del sector industrial; IDAE

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Further information: Mr. Michael STEURER, Tel +32 2 282 08 77, steurer@eurochambres.eu Press contact: Ms. Guendalina COMINOTTI, Tel +32 2 282 08 66, cominotti@eurochambres.eu

EUROCHAMBRES – The Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry represents over 20 million enterprises in Europe – 98% of which are SMEs – through members in 43 countries

and a European network of 1700 regional and local Chambers.

ASSOCIATION OF EUROPEAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Chamber House, Avenue des Arts, 19 A/D • B - 1000 Brussels • Belgium

• Tel +32 2 282 08 50 • Fax +32 2 230 00 38 • eurochambres@eurochambres.eu • www.eurochambres.eu