FAQ: Forest Bioeconomy Investment Accelerator (FBIA) – Open call for projects
The information included here contains key questions and answers that were addressed during the FBIA Q&A Webinar that took place on 20 May 2026. The questions and answers have been synthesised and edited for clarity. For more information, visit the FBIA webpage.
This FAQ document is intended to provide guidance on eligibility for the Forest Bioeconomy Investment Accelerator only. It does not constitute, and should not be interpreted as, guidance on eligibility for European Investment Bank (EIB) Group financing or advisory services.
Type of applicants
Q. Are third-sector or non-profit organisations eligible to apply?
A. Yes. Applications are welcome from organisations across the forest bioeconomy value chain, including non-profit and third-sector entities.
However, projects must demonstrate a clear business model, as the Accelerator focuses on repayable investment-based financing (e.g. loans, equity, or blended finance), not only grant funding.
Q. Can projects involve multiple partners (e.g. project developer + regional government)?
A. Yes. Collaborative projects are encouraged, particularly those involving:
- public authorities,
- project developers, and
- private partners.
For the purposes of the application, one lead applicant should submit the proposal, representing the broader partnership. The application form does allow you to provide further information about your partnership: “Other project partners or shareholders”.
Q. Are projects previously evaluated under EU programmes (e.g. I3 Instrument) eligible?
A. Yes. Projects that were highly ranked but not funded under grant programmes may apply, provided they:
- align with FBIA criteria, and
- are seeking investment-based financing (rather than grant support).
Geographical scope
Q. Are organisations from countries such as Albania or Türkiye eligible?
A. No. For this specific Forest Bioeconomy Investment Accelerator, eligibility is limited to: legal entities registered in an EU Member State and countries of the European Economic Area (EEA), and the project needs to be implemented within the EU or EEA.
Interest from non-EU applicants has been noted and may inform future initiatives with a broader geographical scope.
Q. If the company is located in the EU, must the project also be located in the EU?
A. Yes. Both the legal entity and the project itself must be located within the EU or EEA for this Accelerator.
Q. Is a project from Norway eligible?
A. Yes. The call is open to applicants established in EU Member States and in countries of the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes Norway.
Q. Are there opportunities for projects outside the EU?
A. While EIB Group supports projects globally through different instruments, this specific Accelerator is limited to EU- and EEA-based projects and entities.
Further information on EIB Advisory Services, including examples of activities both within and outside the EU, can be found here: Advisory services.
Thematic alignment
Q. Does a paper-based alternative to plastic fit within the thematic scope?
A. Yes. Projects developing bio-based materials fit well within the circular forest bioeconomy theme.
Q. Are mycelium-based materials eligible?
A. Yes. Solutions based on biological processes and lignocellulosic materials (including mycelium-based innovations) are considered relevant.
Q. Do you consider Mediterranean scrubland as part of the eligible forest ecosystem?
A. Yes. The scope includes forest ecosystems and closely related land-use systems, including Mediterranean forest and shrubland environments.
Q. Are integrated project models combining forest management or land aggregation with digital platforms (e.g. for ecosystem services), innovative financing approaches, and capacity-building components aligned with the Forest Bioeconomy Investment Accelerator?
A. Yes. Approaches that combine:
- project aggregation,
- technology and data solutions, and
- innovative financing structures
are considered highly relevant, especially given the importance of addressing fragmentation in forest investments.
Financing and investment considerations
Q. How can funds be used under “forest project aggregation and investment platforms”? May it be used as seed funding for an investment fund that pools fragmented forest and restoration projects into a bankable portfolio?
A. In principle, seed or early-stage capital to structure and develop aggregation platforms (e.g. bundling projects into bankable portfolios) can be considered relevant.
Such approaches align well with the objective of improving investment readiness and scalability across fragmented projects.
Q. Can projects above €10 million be eligible for financing via intermediaries (e.g. banks or private equity)?
A. Yes. Projects in this range may be considered for intermediated financing, depending on project size, risk profile, and the mandate of the intermediary partner.
As a general indication:
- Projects with a total project investment cost up to €25 million may be suitable for intermediary financing. The decision to screen and evaluate the projects for financing remains with the financial intermediaries.
- Larger projects may be more suitable for direct financing instruments, subject to further assessment.
Q. Can early-stage projects or spin-offs that are not yet established as a legal entity apply?
A. Applications must be submitted by an authorised representative of a legal entity. Applications from individuals are not permitted. For early-stage initiatives (e.g. potential spin-offs), the application may be submitted via a host organisation (such as a research institute). Applicants should be aware, however, that a dedicated legal entity will likely need to be established at a later stage to access financing.
Application process and requirements
Q. Can incomplete applications be submitted and updated later?
A. No. Applications must be submitted through the online form and completed by the deadline.
- Mandatory fields must be filled out to submit the application.
- Some questions are optional, particularly for smaller or less mature projects.
- The downloadable Word version of the application form can be used to prepare your application, update it and submit it later, within the deadline.
Q. How should CAPEX information be presented in the application?
A. Applicants are expected to provide quantitative information about their capital expenditures. If possible, provide a clear breakdown of capital expenditures, ideally:
- structured by main cost categories (e.g. intangible assets, land and site preparation, tangible assets, other investment-related costs, contingencies, interest during construction, working capital), and
- presented concisely (e.g. line-by-line).
