Frequently Asked Questions Sustainable Biomass

1. What are the differences between the Sustainable Biomass Import programme (DBI), the Global Sustainable Biomass programme (DBM) and the Daey Ouwens Fund (DOF)?
Although all three of the programmes contribute to the development of sustainable energy, they focus on different goals. DBM and DBI specifically focus on promoting the sustainability of biomass for energy purposes. DBM aims to promote the sustainability of the biomass chain, with the pertinence of the development being an important condition. For DBI, the focus is on the promotion of sustainability of the biomass import chains for energy and chemistry applications in the Netherlands.

• For DBM, the sustainability guidelines of the Testing framework for Sustainable Biomass (also a version in Dutch) apply. For SBI, projects must furthermore satisfy the criteria of the RED (Renewable Energy Directive).
• The DOF is not limited to biomass, but focuses on different types of small-scale renewable energy projects, in least developed countries. A condition for this is that the local population must obtain access to (sustainable) energy.
• All three funds are open to enterprises, NGOs, local governments and research institutions. Applications for SBI must come from organizations established in the Netherlands. DBM and the DOF are open to applicants from any country. However, each proposal must actively involve at least one relevant partner from the project country.
• DOF projects must be carried out in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. DBM projects take place in ODA countries, with a focus on Indonesia, Vietnam, Colombia, Nicaragua, Mali, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa.
• The tenders for DBI and DBM are closed. For the DOF, a third tender will be opened until 18 January 2011.

A Dutch presentation clarifies this.

2. I want to apply for a sustainable biomass subsidy, where can I do this?
Within NL Agency a subsidy for sustainable biomass projects may only be requested through programmes that are open for applications. The third tender of the Daey Ouwens Fund is open for subsidy applications. The tender will close on 18 January 2011. This will change from time to time. Visit the Biobased Economy pages of NL Agency in 2011.

3. Can I also request a subsidy through NPSB?
No, you cannot request a subsidy through them. The Netherlands Programmes sustainable biomass (NPSB) bundle the knowledge from the network of all ongoing projects on sustainable biomass. By this bundling of forces it is easier to see what knowledge gaps there are and where additional research is needed. The biomass programme’s project leaders decide together on where extra attention is warranted.

4. What do I need to consider when implementing a project?
If you received a subsidy, we advise you first to read the corresponding programme's guidelines: DBI guidelines (to be finalised) and the DBM guidelines. There you'll find all the main topics outlined.

5. When should I submit a progress report?
This is different for each subsidy programme. For Global Sustainable Biomass the times are before 1st September for the first semester of the year and before 1st March for the second semester of the previous year. Projects implemented under the 2nd tender submit their first progress report before 1st March 2011, covering the period from project start up and till 31st December 2010.

For Sustainable Biomass Import you report per year or milestone (unless the milestone is longer than a year) via a progress report to NL Agency. At the end of the project, within three months you must provide a confidential and a public final report and a final statement. The next deadline for a progress report is 11 February 2011, for the period up to 31 December 2010.

For information on reporting of projects at the Daey Ouwens Fund you can visit the Daey Ouwens Fund website.