The DUMAVA subsidy scheme was launched last autumn. Expectations were high, but they were still exceeded. Reason for the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) to bring forward the next application round. “That gives a second chance to everyone who missed the boat the first time!” However, it is expected that not all applicants will have funding available… So, check quickly whether your property is eligible! In this blog we will list everything for you.

The Sustainable Social Real Estate (DUMAVA) subsidy scheme offers a unique opportunity for healthcare institutions and other socially oriented organizations to be creative in making their buildings more sustainable. A total budget of EUR 190 million is available for this scheme. This offers more than just “low-hanging fruit”; larger investments, which many healthcare institutions often lack sufficient budgets for, are suddenly possible with this subsidy. In this way they can make major strides in their sustainability efforts. Moreover, the investment quickly pays for itself. This second round of applications was not scheduled to open until 2024, but due to the large number of early applications, it has been brought forward to September 18, 2023.

A new list of measures

Is your organization about to make its buildings more sustainable? A new list of measures has been drawn up for the DUMAVA application round, which indicates the requirements you must meet, the Recognised Measures List (EML). For example, it is mandatory to install solar panels – if that is possible on the roofs in question. There’s plenty to choose from, from heat pumps, HR glass, and cold-heat systems to insulation, LED lights, and new solar panels. This subsidy can be useful for almost every healthcare institution. The application applies per real estate object. You can choose between a subsidy for one, two or three separate DUMAVA measures, or for one integrated project for the real estate object, such as a major renovation of a building.

Is your organization eligible?

The first requirement is that your organization falls under the Dutch public sector; decentralized government, education, culture, or healthcare. Government buildings, schools, healthcare institutions, national monuments, and also buildings with a public function, such as a sports hall, are eligible for the DUMAVA subsidy because they fall under the category of “social real estate.”

The second requirement is that your organization’s SBI code – which indicates which activities your organization is engaged in – is  on DUMAVA’s list of SBI codes.

And then there are some more DUMAVA conditions…

Even if you meet these requirements, you’re not there yet. A condition of the RVO is that the application must include an energy advice. This means that before submitting the application, an energy advisor must look at what your organization has already arranged to keep energy consumption low. For example, are you already using a CO2 roadmap? And has your organization had an EED energy audit carried out? Be aware that government controls are increasing. You are expected to be proactive when it comes to sustainability!

Another condition is that the sustainability measures must be implemented within two years. Furthermore, the property may not be newer than ten years old. For newer buildings, you will only be eligible if you ensure that the building is disconnected from the natural gas connection when applying for the subsidy.

If you apply for a DUMAVA subsidy for a specific building, you cannot do so again for that same building in a subsequent round. Therefore, submit as many sustainability measures as possible per building immediately!

Get started now!

Submitting this grant application involves a fair amount of preparatory work. Because the RVO expects another rush, we advise you to have your application ready before September 18th so it can be submitted immediately.

An attractive change from the first round is that you can save all the information online before you apply, so all you have to do is click the ‘submit’ button. Applying has become a lot easier. And are you still unable to get everything in order on time despite your efforts? There will be another application round next year.

Need help?

For many parties, applying for DUMAVA subsidies will be quite complicated and time-consuming. You must submit an energy report, a description of the property, an overview of potential sustainability measures, and insight into your organization’s energy management over the past three years.

Luckily, PowerQ can help you with this! We have all the necessary expertise and experience in-house for this type of subsidy. We can prepare and develop an energy plan for you. With our energy monitoring system we can quickly map energy consumption. We calculate which measures can save energy and what the intended savings of that measure will be – both in CO2 emissions and in money. 

Our specialists are happy to help you – before, during and after the application. In the first round, we already helped our clients with the DUMAVA application – successfully! So contact us quickly!