The European Local Energy Assistance (ELENA) facility provides technical assistance grants covering up to 90% of eligible project-preparation costs.
The facility supports public and private entities preparing investment programmes above €30 million in three areas: energy efficiency (in non-residential buildings, district heating/cooling and SMES/MidCaps), residential sector and sustainable transport. Energy-efficiency and residential-sector programmes generally have a three-year implementation period, while sustainable-transport programmes have a four-year period.
The facility has the following sector-specific leverage factors:
- 20x for energy-efficiency projects
- 10x for residential-sector projects
- 10x for transport projects.
Projects undergo an eligibility assessment and appraisal by the European Investment Bank, with final approval provided by the European Commission.