Resource Efficiency and Circularity Programme

At the EBRD, we recognise the importance of the green transition for SMEs and its importance in increasing their competitiveness. With its Green Economy Transition (GET) approach, the Bank’s approach for helping economies build green, low carbon and resilient economies, the EBRD has been committed since 2020 to having a majority of its operations contribute to the green transition by 2025. 

The EBRD's Resource Efficiency and Circularity Programme aims to contribute towards increased competitiveness and resource efficiency of Lebanese industrial SMEs, with a focus on the agro-food sector and its value chain, through resource efficiency and circular approaches. The Programme provides incentives to SMEs, in the form of capacity building, targeted advisory services, and resource efficiency and circularity grants to facilitate their green transition.

The Programme delivers a holistic approach to support enterprises in their green transition. While activities and advisory services provide the know-how needed to adopt resource efficiency measures, cost-shared grants aim to support companies in acquiring the needed technologies and solutions to become more resource-efficient.

Activity 1: Capacity-building and knowledge-sharing activities

The EBRD will organise online and in-person workshops, trainings and visibility events featuring local and international experts, in relation to resource efficiency, the circular economy and other topics relevant to the objectives of the programme. The main objective of this activity is to improve the knowledge and build the capacity of local SMEs and stakeholders.

Activity 2: Customised technical assistance to SMEs

Selected on a rolling basis, eligible SMEs will receive customised technical assistance under this activity to plan their sustainable transition with the support of local consultants or international advisors. The topics will include energy audits, water audits, wastewater treatment strategies, circularity strategies, greening supply chain strategies, technologies to reduce waste and environmental impact, and certifications for international norms, among others.

For companies that are interested and eligible for advisory services, please fill in the application form below and email it with the required supporting documents to knowhowlebanon@ebrd.com.

Activity 3: Resource Efficiency and Circularity Grants

This activity aims at supporting selected companies access the equipment needed for their green transition. Eligible companies having received specialised consultancy services (either through this or other programmes)and wishing to implement the findings of their respective resource efficiency assessment, may apply for Resource Efficiency and Circularity grants.

The programme will support selected beneficiary SMEs with accessing the needed upfront payment for the equipment. Helped by the savings generated from the equipment installed, companies will repay part of the cost of the equipment over two years. The amounts to be repaid, and subsequently the residual amount granted to SMEs will vary based on the size of the company and the resource efficiency results achieved. Additional details on the grant modalities can be found in the programme brochure.

SMEs that receive advisory services through this programme and/or through the EU-funded 2Circular programme implemented by UNIDO will be given priority when applying to the Resource Efficiency and Circularity Grants.

Eligible items

Eligible items covered by the grants are to be in accordance with the EBRD’s Green Technology Selector (GTS) which includes a list of available and eligible technologies that meet the minimum performance requirements such as: solar energy system components, heat pumps, boilers, thermal insulation systems, irrigation items, water use and recovery, water efficiency, waste management, among others. The project mix supported by grants will be demand-driven with priority given to projects other than solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

The GTS list evolves based on demand to include new categories as they become more efficient or needed, and the EBRD will promote the availability of resource efficiency technologies beyond well-known renewable energy technologies, particularly related to climate adaptation and mitigation technologies such as water reuse and recovery among others.

How to Apply

There will be one call for applications per year for companies interested in receiving Resource Efficiency and Circularity grants.

Calls for Applications – Window for Application Submission

• Cohort 1: Expected in October 2024

For companies that are interested and eligible for the Resource Efficiency and Circularity grants, please fill in the application form below and email it with the required supporting documents to knowhowlebanon@ebrd.com.

The Programme aims to support small and medium enterprises in the industrial sector, with a priority to companies operating within the food and beverage value chain. Priority will be also given to women-led enterprises, youth-led enterprises, and enterprises with a social/impact driven business model.

Privately-owned small and medium enterprises with at least two years of sound operations and potential for growth, with up to 250 employees, and a maximum annual turnover of EUR 50 million are eligible to apply for this programme. For further details on the Programme and eligibility criteria, please refer to the brochure below.