Klimatklivet 2026 — Sweden's Climate Investment Grant Guide | Fundpath
Klimatklivet is Sweden's largest climate investment grant. Here's everything you need to know before applying in 2026 — who can apply, how much you can get, and what it takes to succeed.
What is Klimatklivet?
Klimatklivet ("The Climate Leap") is a Swedish investment grant administered by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket). Its purpose is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across Sweden. Since 2015, the programme has awarded more than SEK 15 billion (~€1.3 billion) to thousands of projects — from EV charging infrastructure and biogas to industrial energy conversion.
For companies, municipalities and organisations planning a physical climate investment in Sweden, Klimatklivet is often the single largest source of funding to apply for.
Who can apply?
Klimatklivet is broad and inclusive. The following entities can apply:
- Companies of all sizes (from sole traders to multinationals)
- Municipalities and regions
- Housing cooperatives and joint property associations
- Non-profit organisations and foundations
- Universities and research institutes
Private individuals cannot apply directly but often benefit indirectly (e.g. via publicly funded charging infrastructure).
What can be financed?
The most common funded categories include:
- EV charging infrastructure (public, depot, workplace)
- Energy conversion — replacing fossil oil/gas with biofuels, heat pumps or district heating
- Biogas production and refuelling stations
- Industrial processes — reducing process emissions
- Transport measures — electrification of heavy vehicles, shift to rail/sea freight
- Circular economy — recycling, material efficiency
- Hydrogen infrastructure
Grant amounts and intensity levels
The grant is calculated as a percentage of the investment's additional cost (compared to a conventional alternative). Maximum levels follow the EU General Block Exemption Regulation for state aid and vary by company size and measure type:
| Company size | Typical max level |
|---|---|
| Large enterprises | 30–45% |
| Medium enterprises | 40–55% |
| Small enterprises | 50–65% |
| Micro enterprises | up to 70% |
For certain measures (e.g. public EV charging in rural areas), the rate may be higher. Municipalities and non-economic activities follow separate rules.
Minimum grant amount: typically SEK 100,000. There is no formal upper limit — Klimatklivet has funded individual projects exceeding SEK 100 million.
The application process step by step
- Feasibility study and calculations. Estimate expected climate benefit (tonnes CO₂e over the investment's lifetime) and cost per tonne.
- Prepare documentation. Supplier quotes, drawings, calculation basis, organisational details, financial statements.
- Create an account in the Klimatklivet application portal (the County Administrative Boards' e-service).
- Submit your application during one of the year's call windows.
- Respond to follow-up questions. The County Board often requests additional documentation — respond quickly.
- Decision. Processing time is typically 4–8 months from submission.
- Execute the investment. Important: you cannot start work before the application is submitted.
- Final report and payment once the investment is completed and paid.
2026 call windows
Klimatklivet runs several application windows per year. Exact dates are published continuously by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency — check their website or let Fundpath monitor them for you.
Typical windows are winter (January–February), spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October).
Common reasons for rejection
- Starting work too early — the single most common reason. Do not sign supplier contracts before submitting your application.
- Insufficient climate benefit calculations — use recognised emission factors and disclose assumptions clearly.
- Incorrect cost reporting — only the additional cost is eligible, not the total cost.
- Missing quotes — at least one concrete supplier quote is normally required.
- High cost per tonne CO₂e — projects are prioritised partly on cost-effectiveness.
- Unclear applicant identity — for group structures, be explicit about which legal entity applies.
Tips for a strong application
- Be conservative on climate benefit estimates — exaggerated assumptions will be challenged.
- Demonstrate additionality — explain why the investment would not happen without the grant.
- Use a lifecycle perspective — include operations and end-of-life.
- Attach drawings and layouts — make it easy for the case handler.
- Reference Sweden's national climate goals — link the project to the 2045 net-zero target.
- Prepare a 1–2 page project summary covering benefit, cost and timeline.
Alternative and complementary funding
Klimatklivet is rarely the only funding source. Consider combining with:
- Industriklivet — for larger industrial processes and negative emissions
- Vinnova — for the innovation and R&D component
- EU LIFE Programme — for demonstration projects with European relevance
- EU Innovation Fund — for large-scale low-carbon technology projects
- Swedish Energy Agency grants — research, demonstration and energy efficiency
- Regional business grants — varies by region
Find all open Swedish and EU grants that match your project on Fundpath — free →
Frequently asked questions
How long does processing take? Typically 4–8 months from a complete submission to decision.
Can I apply if I've already ordered the equipment? No. You must not have entered into binding agreements before submission. This is one of the most critical rules.
What counts as the "additional cost"? The difference between the climate-friendly investment and the conventional alternative you would otherwise have chosen. E.g. replacing an oil boiler with a heat pump: additional cost = heat pump cost minus a comparable new oil boiler.
Can I combine Klimatklivet with other funding for the same investment? Yes, but total public support must not exceed the maximum aid intensity allowed under EU state aid rules.
What if the project costs more than budgeted? The grant is fixed in SEK — cost overruns are at your expense. Plan with margin.
Is there a deadline to complete the investment? Yes. The investment must normally be completed within 2–3 years of the decision.
How is the grant paid out? After the investment is completed, invoiced and paid — against a final report and receipts.
What cost per tonne CO₂e is required? There is no fixed threshold, but projects with lower cost per tonne (typically below SEK 1,000–2,000 per tonne CO₂e over the lifetime) are prioritised.
Last updated: 2026. This guide is informational — always verify current rules with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency before applying.