Update: The information on the procedure reflects the position as of July 2026, when it was expected to open. Check the current status, deadlines and conditions in the official procedure documents.
What is the “green technologies” procedure?
Procedure BG16RFPR001-2.003 “Introduction of green technologies in SMEs” falls under the “Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises” Programme 2021–2027 of the Ministry of Innovation and Growth. Its aim is to encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to invest in introducing “green technologies”.
Projects under the procedure are made up of two elements. The first is an investment element and is mandatory; the second focuses on compliance with environmental standards and can be added optionally. It is this second element that covers the implementation and certification of an environmental management system to ISO 14001.
This article summarizes the information on the procedure as at the time of its original publication. The conditions, deadlines and eligible costs must be checked in the current procedure documents published by the managing authority before you plan a project.
What is funded under Element I?
Element I is mandatory: “Introduction of green technologies in enterprises for the application of circular models of production and consumption”. Investments are supported in one or more of the following areas:
- Waste managementPreparation for reuse and recycling, processing of waste and its use as a raw material, and less waste and wastewater per unit of product or service.
- Raw materials, including waterResidual, recycled or bio-based raw materials, less raw material and plastic, substitution of hazardous substances, and less water per unit of product or service.
- Less packagingEliminating or reducing packaging and replacing it, including plastic packaging, with biodegradable, compostable, recyclable or reusable alternatives.
- Sustainable products and servicesReuse, functional refurbishment, the “product as a service” model, repair and replacement of parts, easier disassembly and alternatives to plastic products.
Eligible costs under Element I are the acquisition of machinery, facilities, equipment and other tangible assets, as well as intangible assets — off-the-shelf or custom-developed software, patents, utility models, industrial designs and licences — where they are necessary for introducing the green technologies and the chosen solutions in the enterprise.
What does Element II cover for environmental standards?
Element II is optional: “Achieving compliance with environmental standards, including the EU Ecolabel”. It can include activities for introducing EMAS, BDS EN ISO 14001, BDS EN ISO 14006 and the EU Ecolabel. Service costs are covered up to €15,000.
| Standard or scheme | What it covers | Activity covered |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 14001 | Environmental management system | Implementation and certification |
| ISO 14006 | Guidelines for incorporating ecodesign into the environmental management system | Implementation and certification |
| EMAS | The EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme | Achieving compliance |
| EU Ecolabel | A label for products and services with a lower environmental impact | Introduction |
A project may include one or more of these standards. For details, see the articles on ISO 14001 and on the EMAS Regulation.
Under what conditions are ISO 14001 costs recognized?
ISO 14001 costs are recognized only if the organization has obtained the certificate by the end of project implementation. There are also rules on how the elements may be combined.
Eligible
- Project with Element I only
- Project with Element I and Element II
- More than one environmental standard in Element II
Ineligible
- Project with Element II only
- Project without Activity 1 under Element I
- Recognition of Element II costs without a certificate or attestation having been obtained
The certificate must be in your hands by the end of the project — otherwise the costs of this activity will not be recognized.
Project proposals are submitted entirely electronically via the ISUN platform.
How should you plan certification within the project?
Since the certificate is a condition for the costs to be recognized, certification must be scheduled early enough in the project timeline. The ISO 14001 certification audit is carried out in two stages — a review of the documents and readiness, followed by an on-site assessment of implementation.
- 1Check the current conditions
Read the procedure documents — eligibility, deadlines and cost requirements.
- 2Implement the system
Build the environmental management system — on your own or with an independent consultant.
- 3Request a quote for certification
The certification body does not provide consultancy, but it will give you a quote with the scope, the audit duration and a price that includes all costs.
- 4Allow time for both stages of the audit
Plan Stage 1 and Stage 2 so that the certificate is issued before the end of project implementation.
Euro Standard Certification is the exclusive representative of CERTIND S.A. in Bulgaria, and CERTIND is accredited by RENAR for ISO 14001 certification and for EMAS. You will find more on pricing in the article How much does ISO certification cost.
Questions about ISO 14001 funding
Can I apply for ISO 14001 certification only?
No. Applying with Element II alone is not eligible. Every project must include Activity 1 under Element I.
Up to what amount are ISO 14001 costs covered?
Element II covers service costs of up to €15,000 for implementing and certifying systems to ISO 14001 and/or ISO 14006, for achieving compliance with EMAS and for introducing the EU Ecolabel.
What happens if I do not obtain the certificate by the end of the project?
The costs of the relevant Element II activity will not be recognized. So plan the audit in good time.
Where are project proposals submitted?
Entirely electronically via the ISUN platform. Check the current conditions and deadlines in the procedure documents.