Sweden funds innovative technology transfer to new markets

The Swedish Agency for Regional and Economic Growth is looking for applicants with innovative technology for its Demo Environment programme. Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are listed among countries which can apply for funds as buyers.

The Demo Environment programme supports environmental entrepreneurs offering clean technology products, systems, processes and services to new markets, as stated in the call for applications published on the Agency website. It also funds the import of new technologies.

The programme offers two types of financing, Planning Grants and Demonstration Projects. The former is awarded to help entrepreneurs explore new markets and research their technology’s impact on the Environment and poverty reduction while the latter supports local actors to import technologies offering solutions to local environmental challenges. Among 11 countries listed as buyers of new technologies are Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia in Western Balkans.

The proposed products, systems, processes and services should offer advantages over competing solutions in the focus areas including water, sanitation, ecosystem services, energy and urban development.

Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Although the programme finances partnerships, sellers and buyers cannot submit applications for both grants during a single call for applications. The seller in a partnership can apply for Planning Grants while buyers are encouraged to apply for Demonstration Project grants.

To be eligible for the programme, the main applicant must be a company or organisation based outside one of the listed 11 countries while its partner organisation must be legally registered in the country where the project will be implemented. The programme particularly encourages applications from small and medium-sized enterprises with at least three employees. For more requirements that applicants must meet, read the Information for Applicants.

The call for applications is open until February 28, 2017. The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth announces two calls for applications per year from 2016 to 2018. Demo Environment programme is financed by The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) since 2007.