EIFO Green Accelerator Programme - Danish SME Green Tech Export

Enriched Nordic · Found: 2026-03-11 12:40

Danish programme supporting SMEs to scale green technologies internationally including circular economy solutions. DKK 85M initial budget. Supports export-ready green solutions for developing markets.

Source: https://oecd.org/en/publications/scaling-up-public-financial-and-non-financial-support-for-sme-sustainability_4b79ddf3-en/export-and-investment-fund-of-denmark-green-accelerator-programme_728cf848-en.html

Funding Details

Funder

Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO)

Funding Goal

Support Danish SMEs and export alliances in scaling proven green technologies to international markets through export grants covering advisory services, feasibility studies, ESG compliance, and market expansion costs.

Funding Amount

DKK 300,000 – 5,000,000 per project (approx. EUR 40,000–670,000); non-repayable grant reimbursing 70% (single company) or 80% (consortium) of audited costs (40.000 € – 670.000 €)

Deadline

Rolling — 3 calls per year (Rolling)

How to Apply

Apply via the NIRA portal. Two-stage evaluation: (1) internal eligibility and reputational review by EIFO, (2) technical assessment by external engineering consultancy. Pre-application guidance from EIFO is available and encouraged. Three calls per year, ~10 projects selected per round.

Target Region

Denmark (Danish exporters targeting international/developing markets)

Contact

Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO) — website: eifo.dk. Application via NIRA portal.

Last Checked

2026-03-11 16:28

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a Danish SME or an export alliance of ≥2 Danish companies (including at least 1 SME)
• Minimum annual turnover of DKK 10 million and at least DKK 5 million in export revenue required
• Green solution must be fully market-ready (TRL 9) — R&D, prototyping, and early-stage projects are not eligible

Project Scope

• Solution must address at least one eligible green category: climate adaptation, circular economy, biodiversity, GHG reduction, energy/resource efficiency, or food/water scarcity
• Eligible costs: consultancy, feasibility studies, market research, legal/ESG advice, patent advice, marketing, project management, travel, limited hardware

Required Documents

• Submit Mid-Term Report (within 6 months), Completion Report, Auditor's Report, Performance Indicator Report, and Export Success Report (within 12 months post-completion)

Constraints

• Reimbursement is 70% (single company) or 80% (consortium); costs reimbursed only after project completion based on auditor-certified expenses
• Three calls per year via NIRA portal; approximately 10 projects selected per round; project duration is 12 months

Summary

The EIFO Green Accelerator is a Danish government grant program operated by the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO), established in 2020/2021 in response to COVID-19 challenges facing Danish exporters. It provides non-repayable grants of DKK 300,000 to 5,000,000 (approximately EUR 40,000–670,000) to Danish SMEs and export alliances seeking to commercialize proven green technologies in international markets. The program is not for R&D or early-stage innovation — it exclusively targets market-ready (TRL 9) solutions. Eligible applicants must be Danish-based SMEs or export alliances comprising at least two Danish companies (including at least one SME), with a minimum annual turnover of DKK 10 million and at least DKK 5 million in export revenue. Eligible green solutions must address climate adaptation, circular economy transition, biodiversity protection, GHG/fossil fuel reduction, energy/resource efficiency, or food/water scarcity. Reimbursement is 70% for individual companies and 80% for consortia, paid only after project completion based on audited expenses. The program runs three calls per year through the NIRA portal, selecting approximately 10 projects per round. Covered costs include consultancy, advisory services, feasibility studies, market research, legal advice, ESG compliance analysis, patent advice, marketing campaigns, project management, travel, and limited hardware purchases. A structured two-stage evaluation (internal eligibility review + external technical assessment) ensures quality. The initial budget was DKK 85 million (approx. EUR 11.4 million), mandated by the Danish Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs. A formal program evaluation is planned for 2026. The program is documented in an OECD case study on scaling public financial support for SME sustainability, published November 2025.

Historical Context

Established in October 2020, came into effect in 2021, in response to COVID-19 challenges for Danish exporters. Initial budget: DKK 85 million (~EUR 11.4M), mandated by the Danish Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs. Formal program evaluation planned for 2026. Documented as OECD case study published November 5, 2025.

Why it was added

Danish green tech export support programme, could fund circular economy/waste tech for OPF regions

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