News item | 13-07-2022 | 09:05
The cabinet has decided to temporarily close the Subsidy Scheme for the Sustainability of SMEs (SVM). The SVM was established in 2021 to support SMEs with the costs of energy advice. At the time, the scheme was deliberately made as simple and accessible as possible so that SME entrepreneurs can focus on doing business and not be unnecessarily burdened with paperwork. In the past two months, however, more and more signals have been received by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) about improper use of the scheme by some energy advisers. The large numbers of applications they are currently submitting have made the cabinet decide to temporarily suspend the scheme so that the scheme can be given a new coat with stricter quality requirements. This will further prevent improper consumption and improve the scheme to better support SMEs in taking energy-saving measures.
The Subsidy Scheme for the Sustainability of SMEs (SVM) is a subsidy scheme that gives SMEs that do not fall under the Energy Savings Obligation the opportunity to receive a subsidy of 80% of the costs for advice and support in taking sustainability measures for a total of a maximum of € 2,500. The subsidy scheme is implemented by RVO.
Improper use
The government believes it is important to continue to support SMEs in the climate and energy transition. At the same time, the government has also noted that the scheme in its current form is not having the desired effect because certain energy advisers are currently making improper use of the scheme’s low threshold, which means that SMEs are not properly helped with sustainability. For example, in the past two months, reports have been received at RVO from energy consultants who falsely pretend that their services are free, pretend to be RVO employees and/or provide misleading information, for example by stating that it is mandatory to provide energy advice. to confiscate.
Adjust regulation
The cabinet has therefore decided to temporarily close the scheme with immediate effect. It will no longer be possible to submit new grant applications from 14 July. It remains possible to submit subsidy applications for costs for eligible activities that have been performed for advice and support for sustainability measures taken by SMEs before 14 July 2022. In view of the great social value of energy saving, also in the light of the situation on the energy markets, the cabinet is investigating how the scheme can be reopened as soon as possible and preferably this autumn. The aim is to still keep the scheme simple for SMEs, but in any case to impose stricter requirements on the advisors and the quality of the advice and support.