Name: Waterbesparing en droogtebestrijding steunmogelijkheden
Funding Organization: VLAIO (Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship)
Objective: Support enterprises in water saving and drought mitigation projects
Beneficiaries: Enterprises including SMEs and vzw's with economic activity
Funding Types: Subsidies, loans, advice
Geographic Focus: Flanders, Belgium
Grant Frequency: Recurring with ongoing application windows
Eligible organizations: Enterprises, SMEs, self-employed, vzw's with economic activity
Exclusions: Primary agricultural activities excluded for some supports
Size: Small and medium enterprises primarily targeted
Location: Must be located in Flanders
Maturity: Some supports require minimum operational duration (e.g., 18 months for Ecoboost loan)
Water saving and drought mitigation
Innovative water projects and circular water use
Broad enterprise sectors excluding primary agriculture for some measures
Expected outcomes: water savings, improved water management, innovation
Alignment with sustainability and circular economy priorities
Technical expertise required for innovation and investment plans
Investments must be on approved technology lists
Documentation such as investment plans required
Compliance with environmental and legal standards
Ecoboost loan: €15,000 to €150,000, 3% interest, 3-10 years duration
Minimum 20% own contribution
Loan plus other public financing max 50% of total investment
Strategic ecology support requires minimum €1.5 million investment
Subsidies and tax incentives available
Financial reporting and audit required
Waterscan extensive scan deadline: 30 June 2025
Waterscan first-line scan deadline: 10 September 2025
Local subsidies have specific deadlines (e.g., Gent: 15 November 2025)
Loan drawdown period: 1 year with possible extension
Reporting and monitoring required
Must comply with environmental, water, and legal regulations
Investment tax credits and fiscal benefits available
Ethical and labor standards implied
Contact designated agencies or use online portals
Submit investment plans and technical documentation
Evaluation based on innovation, sustainability, and feasibility
Assistance available via VLAIO and partners
Combination of advice, loans, subsidies, and local initiatives
Strong emphasis on innovation and circular economy
Cross-cutting themes include sustainability and climate adaptation
Recipients mainly SMEs in Flanders
Grant sizes vary widely
Emerging focus on circular water use and drought resilience
Success stories include Agref and Blycolin