The business world is always evolving, so planning ahead will prepare your business to perform at its best for years to come. Here are some of the most popular supports to help your business become more sustainable, innovate or transform digitally.
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Featured sustainability supports
In today’s world, consumers increasingly want to buy from businesses committed to sustainability. But making the shift can feel overwhelming – that’s where we come in.
Here are some of the most popular supports to help you take the first step to becoming more sustainable, reduce your environmental impact and save money.
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Origin Green Sustainability Programme Membership
Origin Green is Ireland's food and drink sustainability programme
Run by Bord Bia, it provides Irish food and drink companies with a sustainability framework and mentorship and guidance to develop a multi-annual sustainability plan and attain third party verification of the initial plan and progress against actions on an annual basis
Requirements:
- Applicants must produce or handle food for human consumption.
- Companies must have a minimum turnover of >€100,000 per annum to participate in the Origin Green Charter.
- Applicants must have a ROI based production facility(ies) to be eligible to participate in the Origin Green Charter.
- All manufacturing as it relates to inclusion in the Origin Green plan must be ROI based.
- Applicants must be in production for a minimum of one full calendar year prior to applying for the Origin Green charter. This will ensure baseline data to develop sustainability targets is available from the outset.
- Applicants must ensure they are formally registered as a Bord Bia client.
- Primary meat processor with a turnover >€50 million (Tier 1 & 2) or operations defined by Bord Bia as high risk (any Tier) must be a member of the Bord Bia Food Processor Standard (FPS)
Green Transition Finance
Flexible lending to support the green and sustainable transition of SMEs and small mid-cap companies
Loans ranging from €500,000 to €5 million are accessible to businesses engaged in sustainable practices or seeking to invest in green and sustainable assets. These loans are at competitive interest rates, making them an appealing financial choice, with flexible repayment terms customised to the loan's intended use.
You may be eligible if:
- You are based in an EU member state and conducting business in the Republic of Ireland
- You must also fulfil the eligibility criteria for the InvestEU SME and Small Mid-Cap Sustainability Guarantee Product
- Eligibility is contingent upon the terms and conditions
Leaders Sustainability Acceleration Programme
Leaders Sustainability Acceleration Programme
A sustainability executive education programme, bespoke to the Irish food and drink industry run by Bord Bia in parnership with UCD Smurfit. Cost per participant is €4,500. Of a total cost of €9,000 - Bord Bia subsidises the fee by 50%
You may be eligible if:
- You are a board member.
- You are C-Suite – Senior Leaders in Origin Green member companies
Origin Green Academy
Sustainability Guidance & Training Programmes
The Origin Green Academy supports Irish food, drink, and horticulture businesses to develop industry leading sustainability/ESG talent and the sustainability skills required to achieve ambitious emissions reductions across the sector, accelerate their sustainability progress, and meet the expectations of global consumers and legislative requirements
You may be eligible if:
- You are a Origin Green member
Accelerated Capital Allowances
Tax Relief for investments in Energy Efficiency
The SEAI Accelerated Capital Allowances (ACA) is a program in Ireland that provides a tax benefit for businesses that invest in certain energy-efficient equipment
The SEAI Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) program is for businesses in Ireland that pay corporation tax or income tax on trading or professional income.
You might be eligible if:
- Companies: Any registered business entity in Ireland can benefit from the ACA program.
- Sole traders: Individuals running their own businesses can claim the ACA for eligible equipment used in their trade.
- Farmers: Farms can also take advantage of the ACA to offset the cost of energy-efficient equipment used in their operations.
- It's important to note that the equipment must be new and owned by the business to qualify for the tax deduction. Leased or hired equipment won't be eligible.
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Large Industry Energy Network (LIEN)
Support for Large Energy Users in Ireland
The SEAI Large Industry Energy Network (LIEN) is a program in Ireland that supports large energy users in improving their energy efficiency and reducing their carbon emissions.
The SEAI Large Industry Energy Network (LIEN) is for large energy users in Ireland. This specifically refers to companies with an annual energy spend of €1 million or more. These companies can be from any industry sector, but some examples include:
- Manufacturing plants
- Large data centres
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Food processing facilities
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Community Energy Grant
Community-wide energy efficiency initiatives that include businesses
The SEAI Community Energy Grant isn't designed specifically for individual Irish businesses, but it can still be relevant. The program focuses on supporting initiatives that improve energy efficiency across entire communities, which can include businesses alongside homes and community buildings
Who is it for?
The SEAI Community Energy Grant isn't targeted towards specific business types since it focuses on community-wide projects. However, any Irish business located within a community applying for the grant could potentially benefit from the initiative
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Woodland Improvement Scheme
Offers financial support to forest owners for sustainable forest management
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in Ireland runs the Woodland Improvement Scheme (WIS) to provide financial support to forest owners for sustainable forest management practices. This helps meet the goals of both producing wood products and conserving the environment.
You may be eligible if:
You are an individual applicant or company
You must be the owner, leaseholder or joint manager of the land at the time of the application.
Organic Farming Scheme
Provides financial support to farmers to encourage production of organic foods
A program that financially supports farmers who are converting to or continuing organic farming practices. The scheme's goals are to encourage organic food production, reduce the environmental impact of farming and improve animal welfare.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an applicant who wishes to produce livestock and crop products according to the EU organic standards and have completed an approved training course
Climate Toolkit 4 Business
This Toolkit provides you with practical ways to start taking action to tackling carbon emissions and become more sustainable.
The Department of Enterprise's Climate Toolkit for Business is an Irish government initiative designed to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) on their journey to becoming more sustainable and reducing their carbon footprint.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an SME in Ireland that wants to take a step towards a greener future can find the Climate Toolkit for Business a helpful resource.
Featured digitalisation supports
Go digital to make your business more efficient and flexible so you can respond quickly to opportunities and challenges.
Here are some of the most popular supports to help you on your digital transformation journey.
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Grow Digital Voucher
Financial support to embrace digital technology
Grow Digital Voucher offers financial support so your business can embrace digital technology
You may be eligible if:
- Established and trading for at least 6 months, registered, and operate within the area of the Local Enterprise Office
Lean and Digitalisation Business Offer
Lean and digital transformation support for multinational companies in Ireland
You might be eligible if:
You are an existing IDA client company
Disruptive Technologies Partnering Portal
Collaboration between companies working with disruptive and sustainable technologies
Disruptive, Digital and Sustainable Technologies are those that have the capacity to “disrupt” or alter markets and the way businesses operate. They often involve new products and services and the emergence of new business models. IDA Ireland's Disruptive Technologies Partnering Portal (DTTP) is an online platform designed to connect companies to foster collaboration and partnerships between companies working with disruptive and sustainable technologies.
You may be eligible if:
Any company based in Ireland, including established businesses, startups, and multinationals.
Strategic Talent Development
Help leadership teams in multinational companies to build new talent within their organisation
The Strategic Talent Development Programme is a collaborative partnership between Skillnet Ireland and IDA Ireland designed to support leaders and leadership teams in multinational companies based in Ireland.
You may be eligible if:
- You are part of a leadership team in established foreign direct investment (FDI) companies in Ireland.
Skillnet Ireland
Become part of a team of private companies working together to address skill needs
Skillnet Ireland is the national talent development agency of Ireland offering upskilling programmes and business supports to companies of all sizes through 70 Skillnet Business Networks and National Initiatives.
You may be eligible if:
- You are private sector or commercial semi-state businesses that want to develop the skills needed to advance business competitiveness through national upskilling initiatives, or one or more of the 70 Skillnet Business Networks, which are clusters of private sector businesses that collaborate based on their sector, or region.
MentorsWork
Tailored support to help your business succeed
MentorsWork is a targeted business support programme focused on SMEs that provides training to owner-managers on how to increase and maintain their businesses competitiveness through strong leadership skills.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a private sector business based in Ireland with between 1 and 250 employees
Think Digital
Create digital marketing strategies with expert guidance
This program helps food and drink businesses use digital tools, improve their online presence, and access tailored digital training for the food and drink industry.
Food and drink businesses that need support to develop a digital marketing strategy and learn how to use online channels effectively.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a Bord Bia client
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
IDA Ireland Online Self-Assessment Diagnostics
Assess your digitalisation and innovation levels
IDA Ireland offers online self-assessment diagnostics tools for client companies. These free, 20-minute assessments help businesses evaluate their current and future digitalisation and innovation maturity level.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a IDA Client company in the manufacturing sector that want to assess current and future maturity levels in advanced digital and sustainable technologies can use the Advanced Manufacturing Diagnostic (AMD).
- You are a IDA Client company in services interested in assessing current and future digitalisation level and pinpointing areas for improvement can benefit from the Digitalisation Diagnostic for Services (DDS).
- Any IDA Ireland client compay can use the Innovation Scorecard Diagnostic (ISD) to assess their overall current and target innovation maturity levels
Grow Digital Portal
A Digital Toolkit for All Businesses
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment's Grow Digital portal is a a digital toolkit for all businesses, to help them to embrace the opportunities that digital technologies and tools can offer.
You may be eligible if:
- You are at any stage of your digital journey, but especially for those who are just starting out. You can use the tool to assess where you are now, what you can do moving forward, and where you can go to get help.
Industry Digitalisation
Digital transformation for visitor experience businesses
In today's digital world, a strong online presence and the effective use of digital technologies are crucial for long-term success in the tourism industry. Our programme helps you adopt and optimise digital technologies, enhancing your skills to give your business a competitive edge.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a tourism businesses interested in introducing digital technologies to enhance online visibility and boost online sales to new audiences.
- You are a visitor experience business in the Irish tourism industry, such as:
- A tourist attraction offering interesting experiences with admission fees or entry conditions.
- A provider of organised activities like tours, workshops, or adventures.
- An organiser of pre-planned tours focused on specific destinations or experiences.
- You can demonstrate ambition for commercial growth in line with the program's objectives.
Featured innovation supports
Embracing innovation helps your business to grow and adapt to changing customer needs.
Here are some of the most popular supports to help you create a workplace that’s open to new ideas and ways to improve, to set you apart from the competition.
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IDA Ireland Innovation Voucher
Solve problems in products and services.
The voucher can be used to purchase academic support from one of the registered knowledge providers, on IDA’s approved list. They can aid IDA clients with new product or process development; new business model development, new service delivery model or new service development model.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a client company that has a problem to solve in a particular area of product or service delivery.
Innovate Programme
Assistance and guidance to improve innovation within your MNC
IDA Ireland’s Innovate Programme helps companies improve their innovation by giving them a roadmap and assigning an advisor to guide them. This advisor helps implement best practices and utilise tools for generating creative ideas and validating them. Ultimately, the program aims to make these companies more innovative and successful.
You may be eligible if:
You are an existing IDA client company.
Research, Development & Innovation Fund
Increase sales and employment with research and development
This fund provides financial support to invest in research, development and innovation. The aim is to develop new products, services, and processes to make the business more competitive.
Businesses that are involved in experimental, non-routine Research and Development projects in areas such as advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, sustainable technologies, healthcare and life sciences, food and beverage.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Office or Údarás na Gaeltacht client or potential client
- You have adequate cash resources to implement the proposed project
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Skillnet Innovation Exchange
Join an ecosystem of innovative companies to fast-track business solutions
Skillnet Innovation Exchange is a skills marketplace that connects large businesses facing innovation challenges to ambitious Irish SMEs with the talent that can fast-track solutions.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a scaling technology SME company that need an instant sales pipeline as well as access to key decision makers, market intelligence and the capability to sell to large corporates.
- You are a large company looking for access to Ireland’s most talented solutions providers and to collaborations that accelerate digital transformation.
Research & Development Grants
Increase sales and employment with research and development
With this funding, businesses can address technical challenges and stay competitive by developing their Research and Development capabilities.
You might be eligible if:
- You are a small to medium business
- Your business is developing, expanding and located in a Gaeltacht region
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Innovation Capability
Bring new food and drink ideas to life
This programme teaches food and drink businesses to innovate for growth by incorporating innovation into all aspects of the business.
Food or drink businesses that need help coming up with innovative ideas.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a Bord Bia client
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
IDA Ireland RD&I Programme
Engage in research, development and innovation.
The RD&I Programme supports research, development, and innovation (RD&I) activities for client companies. It offers a range of resources to help companies innovate and grow and build R&D activities in Ireland.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an existing client company of IDA Ireland that want to expand or further develop your existing R&D facilitites in Ireland. Or companies that want to establish an R&D facility in Ireland.
BI:TES - Concept Testing
Ensure your food or drink products appeal to customers and sell them more effectively
This tool tests and validates your food or drink ideas, provided in partnership with Bord Bia and an independent research agency, both in Ireland and internationally.
Food or drink businesses that want to improve their packaging and concept design.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a Bord Bia client
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Taste 'n' Tell
Reduce the risks of innovation by evaluating your newest food or drink products
This tool evaluates and validates your food or drink product. It’s provided by a certified research agency–available in Ireland and internationally.
Food or drink businesses looking to test a product's concept and taste with target consumers.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a Bord Bia client
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
IP Start - Udaras
Help and advice on intellectual property matters
Access Advice: IP Start supports companies to obtain external expert IP advisory and support services to address immediate IP issues. For example, prior-art research in support of an RD&I Technical Feasibility study, IP Audit, drafting and filing a patent, registering a trademark etc.
Businesses actively involved in research and development that need immediate help with intellectual property matters.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an existing Údarás na Gaeltachta client
- You are an Irish owned businesses operating in the manufacturing/internationally traded services sectors employing 10 or more.
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.