SME Transition Accelerator grant
The grant helps SMEs in the City of Leeuwarden easily invest in concrete projects. This allows companies to better prepare for the future. Entrepreneurs can request grants for different projects within their companies. You can apply for the grant online.
Are you unwilling or unable to apply online?
Online applications will be processed faster than written applications. You can easily log in to our grant portal using eHerkenning or DigiD. Many of your data will then be entered automatically.
If you would prefer to submit a written application,
download and complete the SME Transition Accelerator grant (opens in new tab) application form. Send the form to the City of Leeuwarden. You can also hand it in at the Town Hall.
What do you need for the application?
- a costs budget for the project;
- a schedule of the work to be carried out.
- If the project concerns retraining of 1 or more employees, you must also send proof of this from a certified provider.
- You must demonstrate that the limit for financial government support is not exceeded with this grant by means of a completed de minimis declaration (opens in new tab).
When would this grant be useful for you
You want to prepare your company for the future, but the costs are a problem. This grant will allow you to have an easy start. Examples include a faster transition to sustainable energy, starting a circular project, automating your work or retraining staff. This grant will give you the push you need to carry out your plan.
What can you get a grant for?
You can receive a one-off grant for 1 of the following activities:
- developing or carrying out a project within your own company. This project will help you transition to sustainable energy sooner, reuse materials (circularity) or automate processes, or it falls under 1 of the 4 great transitions:
- from fossil fuels to renewable energy;
- from linear to circular;
- from analogue to digital;
- from care to positive health;
- improving the chances of work and the flexibility of current and future staff within the abovementioned transitions. For example, this could be done through retraining provided by a recognised trainer.
You will only receive a grant for costs directly associated with the project or investment, which you will describe on the application form. The costs must contribute to the economic objectives from the Economic Development 2023–2030 policy framework.
Conditions
- You can only apply for a grant for a clear project or a clear investment within 1 of the transition themes. The project may not be a standard part of your daily work. Examples: a software company investing in its own software, or a solar panel company buying panels to sell them on again. Secondment companies investing in retraining for supplied workers will also not receive any grants.
- Your project is ready for the future. You will continue with it after the grant period, unless it was clear in advance that the project would be temporary. Even if it stops, it will continue to have an effect.
- Your project is clear and concrete. You describe what you will do, when you will do it and what results it will have (SMART).
- You will only receive a grant for a real investment. You will not receive a grant for merely an advisory report without implementation.
- You have a company that aims to make a profit and is registered with the Chamber of Commerce. Your company is located in Leeuwarden. Companies that are still in the process of formation are not eligible for the grant.
- Your investment must amount to at least €2,000.
- You can submit your application between 1 January 2026 and 31 December 2026.
- Activities that already fall under the City of Leeuwarden’s grant scheme for grid-conscious business activities are not eligible for this grant.
Amount of the grant
You can receive a grant for 50% of the total investment amount for a concrete project. In total, €100,000 is available for the grant scheme. The maximum grant amount is €5,000. The minimum grant amount is €1,000.
What transitions are there
- Transition from a linear to a circular economy:
- In a circular economy, materials are used for as long as possible, to the highest possible standard and as safely as possible. This means using fewer raw and other materials, using different raw and other materials, and using and reusing raw and other materials optimally and intensively.
- Transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy:
- The energy transition concerns the transition from using fossil fuels to using energy from renewable sources. Renewable energy comes from sources that are continuously replenished, such as the wind, the sun, the earth, hydropower and biomass. Additionally, renewable energy emits fewer greenhouse gases than fossil energy.
- Transition from care to (positive) health:
- This concerns a fundamental shift in health care, extending the focus from illness and disabilities to health, resilience and self-management.
- Transition from analogue to digital:
- This concerns the shift to using digital technologies to improve processes and performance. For example, this could involve automating work to make it more effective and efficient.
Laws and regulations
You can find the following regulations on Overheid.nl (local) (opens in a new tab) (opens in new tab):
- City of Leeuwarden SME Transition Accelerator 2026 grant scheme.
Questions
Do you have an idea or have you identified an opportunity within your company, but would you prefer to talk to an account manager from the City of Leeuwarden’s Economic Affairs team first? Go to the Ondernemendleeuwarden (opens in new tab) website for your account manager’s contact details.
Quick to:
Are you unwilling or unable to apply online?
Online applications will be processed faster than written applications. You can easily log in to our grant portal using eHerkenning or DigiD. Many of your data will then be entered automatically.
If you would prefer to submit a written application,
download and complete the SME Transition Accelerator grant (opens in new tab) application form. Send the form to the City of Leeuwarden. You can also hand it in at the Town Hall.
What do you need for the application?
- a costs budget for the project;
- a schedule of the work to be carried out.
- If the project concerns retraining of 1 or more employees, you must also send proof of this from a certified provider.
- You must demonstrate that the limit for financial government support is not exceeded with this grant by means of a completed de minimis declaration (opens in new tab).
When would this grant be useful for you
You want to prepare your company for the future, but the costs are a problem. This grant will allow you to have an easy start. Examples include a faster transition to sustainable energy, starting a circular project, automating your work or retraining staff. This grant will give you the push you need to carry out your plan.
What can you get a grant for?
You can receive a one-off grant for 1 of the following activities:
- developing or carrying out a project within your own company. This project will help you transition to sustainable energy sooner, reuse materials (circularity) or automate processes, or it falls under 1 of the 4 great transitions:
- from fossil fuels to renewable energy;
- from linear to circular;
- from analogue to digital;
- from care to positive health;
- improving the chances of work and the flexibility of current and future staff within the abovementioned transitions. For example, this could be done through retraining provided by a recognised trainer.
You will only receive a grant for costs directly associated with the project or investment, which you will describe on the application form. The costs must contribute to the economic objectives from the Economic Development 2023–2030 policy framework.
Conditions
- You can only apply for a grant for a clear project or a clear investment within 1 of the transition themes. The project may not be a standard part of your daily work. Examples: a software company investing in its own software, or a solar panel company buying panels to sell them on again. Secondment companies investing in retraining for supplied workers will also not receive any grants.
- Your project is ready for the future. You will continue with it after the grant period, unless it was clear in advance that the project would be temporary. Even if it stops, it will continue to have an effect.
- Your project is clear and concrete. You describe what you will do, when you will do it and what results it will have (SMART).
- You will only receive a grant for a real investment. You will not receive a grant for merely an advisory report without implementation.
- You have a company that aims to make a profit and is registered with the Chamber of Commerce. Your company is located in Leeuwarden. Companies that are still in the process of formation are not eligible for the grant.
- Your investment must amount to at least €2,000.
- You can submit your application between 1 January 2026 and 31 December 2026.
- Activities that already fall under the City of Leeuwarden’s grant scheme for grid-conscious business activities are not eligible for this grant.
Amount of the grant
You can receive a grant for 50% of the total investment amount for a concrete project. In total, €100,000 is available for the grant scheme. The maximum grant amount is €5,000. The minimum grant amount is €1,000.
What transitions are there
- Transition from a linear to a circular economy:
- In a circular economy, materials are used for as long as possible, to the highest possible standard and as safely as possible. This means using fewer raw and other materials, using different raw and other materials, and using and reusing raw and other materials optimally and intensively.
- Transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy:
- The energy transition concerns the transition from using fossil fuels to using energy from renewable sources. Renewable energy comes from sources that are continuously replenished, such as the wind, the sun, the earth, hydropower and biomass. Additionally, renewable energy emits fewer greenhouse gases than fossil energy.
- Transition from care to (positive) health:
- This concerns a fundamental shift in health care, extending the focus from illness and disabilities to health, resilience and self-management.
- Transition from analogue to digital:
- This concerns the shift to using digital technologies to improve processes and performance. For example, this could involve automating work to make it more effective and efficient.
Laws and regulations
You can find the following regulations on Overheid.nl (local) (opens in a new tab) (opens in new tab):
- City of Leeuwarden SME Transition Accelerator 2026 grant scheme.
Questions
Do you have an idea or have you identified an opportunity within your company, but would you prefer to talk to an account manager from the City of Leeuwarden’s Economic Affairs team first? Go to the Ondernemendleeuwarden (opens in new tab) website for your account manager’s contact details.