Who Can Apply?

VEKI is designed for industrial enterprises operating in specific sectors. Companies in SBI main group C (material goods production), SBI main group E (waste and wastewater treatment), and SBI main group D (energy distribution) are eligible to apply. Both large enterprises and SMEs can participate. The minimum subsidy thresholds differ between these categories. All investments must take place in the Netherlands. The technology you plan to implement must be market ready, meaning innovative pilot projects and demonstration technologies are excluded from the program. Other grants such as the DEI+ can be attractive substitutes.

Eligibility Criteria

• Project payback period must exceed 5 years without subsidy support
• Minimum subsidy amounts: €125.000 for large enterprises or €30.000 for SMEs
• Cost effectiveness cannot exceed €80 per ton of CO2 reduction over 15 years or project lifetime
• Project must finish within 4 years after receiving the grant
• Project start within 6 months after approval and not before application submission

Certain activities are excluded from VEKI funding. Biofuel projects, CO2 capture, storage, or reuse initiatives, mobile construction equipment, and projects solely aimed at meeting future EU standards compliance cannot receive support through this program.

VEKI for SMEs: which projects are eligible?

VEKI is for industrial SMEs that invest in proven technologies that reduce CO₂ emissions in their own operations. It is not meant for a pilot or demonstration of an innovation, but for an investment that already works in comparable industrial applications. Below are a few concrete examples:

Energy efficiency in your production process

Think of measures that reduce the amount of energy you use per unit of product. This is about the process itself, not building related measures.

Typical examples:

• more efficient process equipment
• process optimisation that directly saves energy
• upgrades that demonstrably reduce specific energy consumption
  

Circular operations

This concerns investments that save raw materials or reduce waste.

For example:

• replacing primary raw materials with secondary (recycled) materials
• recycling, sorting, decontamination, and reuse processes
• processes that usefully return waste streams back into the value chain
  

Infrastructure for waste heat and hydrogen

This concerns infrastructure facilities (for example for residual heat or hydrogen).

Which projects are often not eligible?

VEKI is strict about what is and is not allowed. These types of projects often fall outside the scope:

• only designing/producing “green products” (without a direct environmental benefit in your own operations)
• complying with EU standards that already apply
• biofuels
• CO₂ capture, storage or reuse (CCS/CCU) and “blue hydrogen”
• pre-engineering only (without realisation and commissioning within the project duration)
• purchasing/converting mobile construction equipment (you may be able to apply for SSEB for this)

Key Deadlines

• Application deadline: February 2, 2026
• Application process: First-come, first-served when meeting all requirements

The first-come, first-served nature of VEKI means that budget allocation happens in the order applications are submitted. Early preparation and timely submission can be decisive factors in securing funding. The grant is paid in advances during project execution, with final payment made after project completion and verification.

How to Apply

With €148 million available for proven CO2 reduction investments and up to €30 million per project, VEKI removes major financial barriers for industrial companies committed to climate action. The subsidy specifically supports projects that are economically unviable without funding, accelerating your path to 2030 climate targets while strengthening your competitive position in the green industrial transition.

Before starting your application, it's worth checking whether your company qualifies for VEKI and other relevant Dutch industrial subsidies. Find out if you are eligible for free using our automated subsidy scan that identifies multiple funding opportunities simultaneously and helps you avoid missing any important deadlines.

For detailed required documentation, and the most up to date guidelines, interested companies can visit the official VEKI website for more information.