Climate minister Rob Jetten is suspending the subsidy with which entrepreneurs in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can request advice about sustainability. The subsidy does not have the desired effect and entrepreneurs complain about unscrupulous advisers.
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) has received signals from advisers who “use misleading sales techniques, pressure SMEs to use their services, falsely pretend that those services are free and provide advice with little added value”. said Jetten. Advisors would even pretend to be employees of the RVO and entrepreneurs who are told that energy advice is mandatory.
In the best case scenario, the subsidy will open again in the autumn. This summer, Jetten will look at how the subsidy scheme can be adjusted. There will probably be stricter requirements for advisors and support. However, the scheme must remain accessible for entrepreneurs, the minister emphasizes. It is still possible to apply for a subsidy for advice obtained before 14 July, according to Jetten.
With the Subsidie Verduurzaming MKB (SVM) SMEs can receive a subsidy that covers 80 percent of the costs for “advice and support in taking sustainability measures”. An entrepreneur can receive a maximum of 2500 euros in subsidy.
When opened on 1 October last year, the subsidy pot amounted to more than 28 million euros. Of this, 20 million euros remains. A number of applications are still pending.
