Green Office Subsidies

Do you want to make your association's organisation more sustainable? The Green Office can help! The Green Office's sustainability subsidies provide financial aid for associations to implement impactful sustainability initiatives. Associations eligible for the CUOS Graduation Fund can apply for up to €1000 in funding, spread across up to 2 initiatives. It is also possible to apply jointly with other associations.

Questions or remarks? Feel free to contact us through Discord or email at greenoffice@rug.nl.

Application Deadline: January 26th 2024, 23:59 CET

Some things have changed. What’s new this year?

• Changes in participation requirements: There is no longer a need to indicate participation before submission.

• Participation in Green Label Programme Required: Associations applying for Green Subsidies must also apply for a Green Label.

• Impact Reporting: After implementing the initiatives, associations must submit a brief report outlining their impact and effectiveness.

Is my association eligible?

To request a Green Office subsidy, your association must be recognised in the Graduation Fund list of the Central Executive Board for Student Organizations (CUOS) to be eligible.

What can I get a subsidy for?

The Green Subsidies are intended to financially assist concrete initiatives that induce positive and impactful changes to move towards more sustainable associations. Applications are assessed individually, and initiatives can be of different natures, so there is no clear list of what you can ask for a subsidy for; however, these are the general guidelines:

• The initiative should be concrete, well-planned and feasible.

• The initiative must induce positive changes in your association’s sustainability.

• The initiative should have a high impact and reach many of your members.

• The initiative should preferably contribute to lasting change and should not require another subsidy to last.

See the Green Subsidy FAQ below for ideas and examples of previously funded initiatives.

How are applications reviewed?

Applications are individually reviewed by the Green Office. Decisions are based on:

• Projected sustainability impact

• Feasibility and quality of the plan

• Compatibility with the University’s policy.

Green Subsidies Timeline

• Applications Open: November 13, 2023

• Application Deadline: January 26, 2024 at 23:59 CET

• Decisions will be announced before February 16, 2024

Sounds great! How do I apply?

Applying for Green Subsidies is easy:

1. Review the programme timeline above.

2. Fill the Subsidy Application PDF Form (download it here) using a web browser (e.g. Firefox or Chrome)

3. Submit your filled form via the button below before January 26, 2023, 23:59 CET.

FAQ

Additional questions can be directed through the Association Discord Server or greenoffice@rug.nl.

Q: What if our initiative changes after applying?
A: Contact the Green Office to discuss amending your application. If the scope changes, funding may be adjusted.

Q: Who owns materials purchased with subsidy money?
A: Purchased items are the property of the funded association.

Q: What are some example initiatives?
A: Here are some examples of previously funded initiatives:
- Upgrading to energy-efficient lights, appliances, etc.
- Replacing disposable items with reusables
- Workshops/events focused on sustainability
- Making events more sustainable
- Reducing the environmental impact of your association’s operation
- Connecting members to social organisations such as Humanitas or the food bank

Q: When will I receive the subsidy?
A: Associations whose requests have been approved will initially have to fund their initiative themselves. After the initiative is implemented, a brief report on the impact of the initiative must be sent to the Green Office. Associations must participate in the Green Labels programme, after which the Green Subsidy decision letter, receipt(s) and relevant proof can be sent to the Financial Shared Service Centre (FSSC) to receive the subsidy. Full details are provided upon approval.

Q: Can I apply for the same initiative with another association?
A: It is possible to apply jointly with other associations, in which case, for each participant, the join application counts towards the limit of two initiatives and €1000 maximum funding.