NATIONAAL GROENFONDS

The project consists of an intermediated loan to Nationaal Groenfonds (NG), a Dutch organisation financing environment improving activities, mainly to SMEs and across the Netherlands.

The operation is expected to facilitate access to finance primarily SMEs active in environment protection, renewable energy, circular economy, carbon-saving technologies/processes, as well as to the wider bioeconomy.

Sub-projects to be financed financed by the fund may fall under the scope of Annex I or II of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive 2014/52/EU, in which case the national competent and/or EU legislation or based on the application of the EIB Environmental and Social Standards, the Fund will be required to ensure that an EIA procedure is carried out, including due public consultation at a level that is in line with EU standards. Final beneficiaries will be requested to comply with applicable national and EU legislation, as appropriate.

Most, if not all, of the sub-project investments under this project will be implemented and procured by private sector final beneficiaries, not falling under the meaning of public authority per the EIB Guide to Procurement and therefore using a private procurement regime. Some of the private companies will follow public procurement if they benefit from exclusive or special rights (mostly in the electricity sector), or as a result of shareholder obligations to follow public procurement. Following standard EIB procedures, the EIB will require the intermediary to take all requisite measures to ensure that procurement by the final beneficiaries is undertaken in line with the provisions of the EIB Guide to Procurement. Under these conditions, the procurement procedures to be followed by the promoter(s) are suitable for the project and satisfactory to the EIB. Final beneficiaries will be requested to comply with applicable national and EU legislation, as appropriate.