Apply for funding
Apply for funding for your project idea from the Low-carbon Built Environment Programme. This website gives information on all applications for funding under the programme.
General information
The Low-carbon Built Environment Programme, (KIRAilmasto, ‘KIRAclimate’) offers financial support to companies, municipalities and other actors for projects that promote the green transition in the built environment. The programme contributes to the implementation of the Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland, and it is funded from the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).
In total, there will be seven rounds of application under the programme. Business Finland is responsible for the applications for funding for projects that are specifically targeted to exports. Companies and other bodies operating only in Finland may also be eligible for funding from the Ministry of the Environment.
The application for funding should be concerned with the built environment and construction, including planning, zoning, permit processes, construction, the design and manufacture of construction products, built heritage, building engineering, real estate management, real estate business and property management, links to infrastructure and energy efficiency, and provision of services.
The objective of the programme is to boost the introduction of technologies, services and operating models that mitigate climate change and support decarbonisation in the real estate and construction sectors, promote a transformation of practices and increase productivity. Projects may be related to e.g. energy efficiency, climate and environmental solutions, new energy solutions, or a low-carbon built environment and the related digital solutions. Responding to the challenges requires expertise across the different sectors and networking between stakeholders.
To be eligible, the projects must be comply with the principle of “Do No Significant Harm” (DNSH), i.e. they may not cause significant harm to the environment. For example, projects that promote the use of fossil fuels are not eligible. More detailed criteria for eligible projects will be available in the materials related to each call for applications.
Funding calls of the Ministry of the Environment
Through rounds of application organised in 2021–2023, the Ministry of the Environment will grant the maximum of EUR 6 million in funding. All rounds are now closed.
The Ministry of the Environment may also grant funding to national actors for both economic and non-economic activities. Beneficiaries may be companies, associations, municipalities or other legal persons that have a business ID and have carried out their duties, such as taxes and fees, appropriately.
The Act on Discretionary Government Transfers (688/2001) applies to the grants. The terms and conditions for the use of the financial aid derive from the National Programme for Sustainable Growth, Regulation (EU) 2021/241 on the Recovery and Recovery Instrument, the terms of the Block Exemption Regulation (Commission Regulation 651/2014), and the Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) conditions of the EU recovery funding (2021/C 58/01).
Schedule
1st call for applications: 16 December–2021–11 February 2022 (closed)
2nd call for applications: 9 May 2022–10 June 2022 (closed)
3rd call for applications: 17 October 2022–11 November 2022 (closed)
4th call for applications: 6 February 2023–3 March 2023 (closed)
For any questions, in advance or later, please contact Project Coordinator Maija Stenvall: maija.stenvall@gov.fi
Contact
Maija Stenvall
Ministry of the Environment Finland
029 5250354
maija.stenvall@gov.fi
Funding calls of Business Finland
The funding call applies to the built environment and construction, including design, planning, permit processes, construction, the design and manufacture of building products, the built heritage, building systems, property maintenance, the real estate business and building management, connections to the infrastructure and energy efficiency, and service providers.
The goal is to boost the deployment of technologies, services and operating models that combat climate change and support low carbon practices in the construction sector, change operating methods, and increase productivity. Buildings, building products and construction constitute a significant sector in responding to questions related to climate change mitigation, low carbon practices, and the circular economy. Projects may be associated with energy efficiency, climate and environmental solutions, new energy solutions or the low carbon built environment, and related digital solutions. Responding to challenges calls for cross-sector expertise and networks between different parties.
For which projects can funding be applied?
In the funding call for a low carbon built environment, Business Finland provides funding for new creative research through aid. The aid is intended for independent research projects of companies or co-innovation projects conducted with research organizations. Municipalities and other public procurement units can apply for support for innovative public procurement.
Projects funded through aid:
- create new competence and information for companies and partnership networks
- take greater risks than normal and, if successful, involve a high market potential
- often require more development afterwards to commercialize the results
How to apply for funding?
Basic applicant and application information is completed in Business Finland’s online service.
- Select the funding service.
- Companies: “Research, development and piloting” or “Co-innovation”
- Research organizations: “Co-innovation”
- Public service providers: “Innovative public procurement”
- Under “Programs and other connections”, select “RRF – Finland’s Sustainable Growth Programme” for your application and then the “RRF – Low carbon built environment” identifier in the menu.
- Respond to the questions related to environmental impact. Every project provided with RRF funding must fulfill the “Do No Significant Harm (DNSH)” requirements. The EU RRF requires that no measures do any significant harm to the environment.
Funding schedule
According to the preliminary plan, a total of EUR 32 million of funding will be granted in 2021, 2022 and 2023.Business Finland will make funding decisions following normal selection criteria. Applications must be submitted by 31st March 2022 for funding granted in 2022. The last additional application round opens on December 2, 2022, and applications must be submitted by April 14, 2023.
Projects provided with RRF funding must be completed no later than December 2025.
Contact
Virpi Mikkonen
Business Lead
Business Finland
050 557 7930
virpi.mikkonen@businessfinland.fi
