The Global Sustainable Biomass Fund  supports developing countries in making their biomass production for energy uses sustainable. It thus enables them to access the local or international market of sustainable biomass for energy uses. The most important target group are  all countries qualifying for Official Development Assistance (ODA), but the focus of this first tender lies on Mozambique, Indonesia, Mali, South Africa, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Nicaragua and Colombia. These countries therefore take precedence over projects in other ODA-countries.

The first tender was completed in 2009. Ten projects were accepted and a total amount of 4.7 million euros was granted. The second and last tender was closed on 12 January 2010. 56 applications were received; the accepted projects will be announced at the end of April. The total available subsidy amount for both tenders is 12.5 million euros.

NL Agency is closely following the projects from the tenders. The knowledge acquired in this way is utilised to reinforce the Cramer criteria for sustainable biomass and to substantiate them with practical experience.

NL Agency also carries out two related grant regulations, Sustainable Biomass Import and the Daey Ouwens Fund. Read more about the main differences and similarities between the three funds.


The Cramer criteria:

• Greenhouse gases:
  Calculated across the entire chain, the use of biomass for biofuels must emit 35 percent net fewer greenhouse gases than the fossil fuel average. For electricity production, 50 percent. 
• Biodiversity:
  Biomass production shall not harm any protected or vulnerable biodiversity, but shall reinforce biodiversity where possible.
• Environment:
  The use of pesticides or artificial fertilisers, or the effects of biomass culture on the soil, air and water, may not disturb the environment.
• Food versus fuel:
  The production of biomass for energy must not endanger the food supply or other local applications (such as medicine or construction materials).
• Contribution to the local prosperity:
  The production of biomass must contribute to the local prosperity.
• Contribution to the local welfare:
  The production of biomass must contribute to the welfare of the employees and local population.