Sustainable Biomass Import

The Netherlands produces too little biomass to meet the needs of the energy and chemistry sector. It is therefore necessary to import biomass. The Sustainable Biomass Import programme aims to stimulate, support and facilitate the promotion of sustainability of the production, processing and import of biomass produced abroad, leading to the application of biomass for energy, transport or chemical purposes in the Netherlands.

Currently, it remains difficult for enterprises to demonstrate that the biomass they import is sustainable. Sustainability criteria have been developed, and are partly implemented in legislation, such as the EU Renewable Energy Directive, which will be implemented in 2011. A significant number of certification systems are under development.

The projects of the Sustainable Biomass Import programme are gaining experience with:

1. Promoting the sustainability of biomass production based on the testing framework for sustainable biomass (here you can find also the Dutch version).
2. Developing and applying certification systems for imported biomass.
3. Counteracting undesired indirect effects of biomass production.
   Of course, the country of origin is always involved.

The Sustainable Biomass Import programme is financed through the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, with a total budget of € 7.500.000,00. There are 15 projects recognized within this programme. You may no longer request a subsidy. The ongoing projects can be found in the practical examples. Project implementers can find forms and instructions below.

Information for project implementers
If you are implementing a project for the Sustainable Biomass Import programme, it's best for you to start by reading the guidelines for project implementers (coming soon). Below are the forms you will need during the implementation phase, for example for reporting or requests for project changes. Please note that different forms are used for the projects of tender 1 and for those of tender 2.

Tender 1

• Form request for change

If the changes will affect the budget or the participants, please use the following forms:

• Model budget
• Participants form
• Form for narrative and financial progress report
• Form final narrative report (to be finalized)
• Subsidy assessment request form 
  - After completion of the project you will have to submit the subsidy assessment request form with all financial data to NL Agency within 13 weeks after completion.
• Protocol for auditor's statement 
  - This is only necessary if a participant has received a subsidy of more than € 125.000,00.
  - For a subsidy under € 125.000 the actual costs may be corroborated by invoices, receipts, purchase orders and time sheets. In this case an auditor's report may also be sent.

Tender 2

• Form request for change 
  - If you wish to make changes to your project, you must present them to NL Agency by completing and sending the project change form.
  - This form may be submitted electronically, except in the case of a change in the bank account number and in the project participants. A signature is then required.
  - If the change is a budget shift, a request for change only needs to be filled out for shifts between budget items greater than 20%.
  - If the changes will affect the budget or the participants, please use the following forms:
• Model budget
• Participants form
• Form for narrative and financial progress report
• Form final narrative report (to be finalized)
• Subsidy assessment request form
• Protocol for auditor's statement
  - This is only necessary if a participant has received a subsidy of more than € 125.000,00.
  - For a subsidy under € 125.000 the actual costs may be corroborated by invoices, receipts, purchase orders and time sheets. In this case an auditor's report may also be sent.

When you need to find more legal background information on the programme, you can read more in our official publications.