Consultation and Investment Programme "PIUS-Beratung and PIUS-Invest"

SMEs in production, commerce and the service sector are supported in their efforts to cut their resource consumption and reduce emissions of harmful substances. They may take advantage of the funded PIUS-Beratung consultation programme which can be subsidised up to a max. of 600 euros (650 euros in ERDF priority areas) per day, whereby a max. of 50 per cent of the consultant’s fee is reimbursed. Funding can total up to 12,000 euros (13,000 euros in ERDF priority areas) over a period of 3 years.
The PIUS-Invest programme subsidises investment projects by SMEs which increase resource efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions through process and/or organisational changes. In so doing, they must exceed statutory minimum standards. Sponsorship takes the form of a grant which can amount to up to 30 per cent of the eligible investment project costs, to a max. of 500,000 euros. Before a grant can be allocated, an expert must assess the degree of innovation and the CO2 saving to be achieved. Participation in the PIUS consultation programme can be of an advantage but is not essential. The Innovationskredit Hessen can be used to supplement the above measures. It strengthens innovative companies by providing low-interest subsidised loans, thereby relieving the on-lending banks of 70 percent of their default risk. A combination of these offers makes 100% financing possible.