The aim of the GreenStart assignment is to improve environmental performance through greater resource efficiency helping companies achieve competitive advantage and greater market share through enhanced credentials and cost savings. Projects may vary in scope from implementing a structured environmental management and reporting system to understanding the carbon or environmental footprint of products or services.
Grant support is towards the cost of hiring an Environmental consultant/trainer to undertake a short in-company assignment which will introduce environmental best practice systems and structures, achieve cost reduction targets and lay a foundation for future environmental improvement projects’
As part of the application applicants must provide the following
- Latest audited accounts (no more than 2 years old/Sole Traders should contact their LEO in respect of this requirement) and management accounts (no more than 6 months old - including a profit and loss and balance sheet
- Organisational Carbon Footprint through completion of the Climate Toolkit 4 Business Carbon Calculator
Note: The Climate Toolkit 4 Business Carbon Calculator is designed to give a simple and easy-to-use carbon assessment for most businesses. To calculate your carbon footprint, you will need your energy, water and waste bills and company travel or freight data. This calculator provides an estimation only but gives a good initial understanding of where emissions arise in your business operations
Eligible assignments may include:
- Guidance with basic Environmental Management System based on ‘Plan, Do, Check, Act’ continuous improvement philosophy
- Guidance with developing a corporate sustainable strategy and aligning to national/international frameworks e.g. Bord Bia Origin Green and UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Guidance with Life Cycle Assessment
- Guidance with Circular Economy thinking and transition to circular economy business models
- Guidance with a range of activities including Carbon Footprinting, Green Procurement, Green Tenders, Sustainable Packaging, Sustainable Logistics, Plastic Management, Developing a Biodiversity action plan, Climate Adaptation, Sustainability Benchmarking, Communications, Employee and Customer Engagement.
Eligible Businesses
GreenStart is open to:
- Micro-enterprises (between 1 and 9) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors who have undertaken a Green For Business (Micro), and for whom an additional need for support has been identified
- Small enterprises (employing between 10 and 50) who are operating in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors, and who are not currently clients of Enterprise Ireland/Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Where the turnover is in excess of €30,000 annually and the business is trading in excess of 6 months.
Ineligible Businesses
- Domestically focused retail, personal services, professional services and construction services.
- Are operating in the coal or steel sector.
- Are active in the primary agricultural, fishery or aquaculture sectors.
- Are involved in activities that Local Enterprise Offices considers as ineligible or as involving an unacceptable reputational risk. Ineligible activities include activities relating to:
- The gambling sector, including ‘gaming’ (as defined in the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956).
- Adult entertainment.
- Tobacco and tobacco related products.
- Cannabis-based products which are not authorised as medicines.
The GreenStart scheme falls under De Minimis rules relating to previous state support
De Minimis Aid is small amounts of State Aid given to an enterprise which cannot exceed €300,000 over any three fiscal years to any company irrespective of size and location. De Minimis Aid can come from any State body, agency or department.
Legal Basis: Industrial Development Act, 1986, Section 21
EU State Aid Policy: De Minimis Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2831 of 13 December 2023
Please note that a false declaration to show a figure under the threshold of €300,000 could later mean that you would have to pay back the grant aid with interest.