Approval of the support application

The decision letter is sent to the applying enterprise’s e-Box Enterprise. In the event of a positive decision, the enterprise receives the decision letter containing details of the support calculation, disbursement arrangements and appeal procedures.  

Project start and implementation deadlines

Support applications submitted before 1 July 2024

For projects submitted before 1 July 2024, investments must start:

• no earlier than the first day of the month following submission of the support application;
• no later than six months after the decision granting support.

Investments must be completed within three years after the decision granting support.

Disbursement must be requested within 12 months following completion of the investments (date of the final invoice).

Support applications submitted after 1 July 2024

For projects submitted after 1 July 2024, investments must start:

• no earlier than the first day of the month following submission of the support application;
• no later than 12 months after the decision granting support.

Investments must be completed within three years after the decision granting support.

Disbursement must be requested within 12 months following completion of the investments (date of the final invoice). 

Disbursement

You request disbursement of the ecology premium plus digitally by following the steps in the disbursement application demo.

Basic disbursement conditions

The basic conditions for disbursement are:

• correct implementation of the approved investments included in the approved application
• timely and correct submission of supporting documents
• compliance with applicable legal provisions

Disbursement in tranches

The granted support is paid in three tranches.  

The first tranche of 30% is paid once 30% of the supported project costs have been implemented and demonstrated.  

The second tranche of 30% is paid once 60% of the supported project costs have been implemented and demonstrated.  

The final tranche of 40% (or the balance) is paid after implementation and commissioning of the investments following completion of the project have been demonstrated.  

The ‘project completion date’ is the date:

• of the final invoice
• or of the deed for acquisition of eligible immovable property
• or of signing the final or sole financial leasing agreement

Application for the first and/or second tranche (each 30% of the support)

Once at least 30% or 60% of the project has been realised, you request disbursement of the first or second tranche digitally and provide the following supporting documents:

• purchase invoices
• signed leasing agreement(s) in the case of financial leasing
• proof of capitalisation: depreciation schedules or an extract from the general ledger accounts
• Excel overview of invoices
• bank statement as proof of payment

Application for the final tranche of 40% (or the balance)

No later than 12 months after completion of the project, you request disbursement of the third tranche digitally and provide the following supporting documents:

• purchase invoices
• signed leasing agreement(s) in the case of financial leasing
• proof of capitalisation: depreciation schedules and an extract from the general ledger accounts
• Excel overview of invoices
• bank statement as proof of payment

Supporting documents relating to the completed investments must be uploaded with the digital disbursement application.

VLAIO verifies each disbursement request together with the supporting documents and may request additional information.

Disbursement can only be made if your enterprise has no outstanding undisputed debts with VLAIO or the Fund for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

If, upon completion of the project, the actual costs are lower than originally estimated, the support will be recalculated pro rata based on the demonstrated eligible costs.  

If the implemented investments exceed the original estimate, the granted support amount cannot be increased.  

Support will be recalculated if non-essential (or ineligible) components were included in the declared total investment amount.  

Support may be revised if irregularities are identified during VLAIO inspections.