Update, 6 November 2026: The Enterprise Development Grant (EDG), Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) and Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) grant closed to new applications on 29 September 2026. Company sustainability projects under the Enterprise Sustainability Programme are now funded through EDGE for Sustainability, which opened on 30 September 2026 with support of up to 70% for SMEs and up to 50% for non-SMEs on most sustainability activities. EDG projects approved before the change continue and claim under their original terms. See our directory of Singapore government grants and our guide to EDGE claims and change requests.
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What the Enterprise Sustainability Programme Actually Covers
The Enterprise Sustainability Programme (ESP) is Enterprise Singapore’s dedicated umbrella for helping SMEs build sustainability capabilities, from basic carbon footprint measurement through to genuine product and process redesign. When it was launched, Enterprise Singapore set aside up to S$180 million for the programme, aiming to benefit at least 6,000 enterprises. It is frequently mentioned in passing alongside the carbon tax, EDB’s Resource Efficiency Grant for Emissions (REG(E)) and Enterprise Singapore’s general grants, but it is worth understanding as its own distinct support structure, because many SMEs qualify for sustainability funding without realising it sits apart from the general business-improvement projects they may already be funding through EDGE (or, before 30 September 2026, the Enterprise Development Grant).
The Three Levels of Support Under ESP
ESP is structured across three broad levels, each aimed at a different stage of an SME’s sustainability journey:
- Developing enterprise capabilities: subsidised training workshops and grant support for individual companies building internal sustainability capability and developing sustainable products or services, such as carbon footprint measurement, sustainability strategy, sustainability reporting or energy-efficient equipment.
- Strengthening sector-specific capabilities: support delivered through partnerships with Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs) and corporates, aimed at building common sustainability capabilities across an entire sector rather than one company at a time.
- Fostering a vibrant sustainability ecosystem: broader ecosystem support through partners in training, certification and financing, including green financing through the Enterprise Financing Scheme (EFS-Green), training pipelines and standards development.
Most SMEs engaging with ESP for the first time will do so at the first level, typically applying for project support under EDGE for Sustainability for a specific, qualifying sustainability project.
Where Company Funding Comes From Now
Enterprise Singapore’s ESP page now points companies to four funding routes for their own projects:
- EDGE for Sustainability: projects in carbon management, sustainability strategy, resource optimisation, ESG ratings, sustainable product or service development and sustainability standards.
- Energy Efficiency Grant (EEG): co-funding for energy-efficient equipment. See our Energy Efficiency Grant guide.
- SME Sustainability Reporting Programme: support for a first sustainability report aligned with GRI and TCFD.
- Sustainability Reporting Grant (SRG): support for a first report with ISSB-based climate disclosures. See our Sustainability Reporting Grant guide.
The Support Rate Under EDGE: Up to 70% for SMEs
Under the former EDG framework, Enterprise Singapore defrayed up to 70% of eligible costs for SME sustainability projects applied for between 1 November 2024 and 31 March 2026, with a scheduled step-down to 50% from 1 April 2026. That EDG schedule no longer governs new projects. Since EDGE opened on 30 September 2026, sustainability activities are supported at up to 70% for SMEs and up to 50% for non-SMEs, the same enhanced level EDGE gives internationalisation activities. Most other EDGE activities are supported at up to 50% for SMEs and 30% for non-SMEs, and some sustainability-related digital tools bought as single-function solutions (carbon management software, for example) fall under that lower base rate and the S$30,000 sub-cap.
All EDGE support counts towards a cap of S$100,000 per company per year (1 April to 31 March). Work must not start, and no payment or deposit may be made, before the application is submitted. For an SME planning an energy audit, a carbon measurement exercise or a sustainability strategy engagement, it is worth checking which EDGE activity the project falls under before collecting quotations, because the activity determines the support rate.
How ESP Interacts With the Rest of the Grant Landscape
ESP is not a separate grant with its own application form; it is best understood as a sustainability-specific programme whose company projects are funded through EDGE and the other routes above, alongside standalone financing and ecosystem support. The EDG and the Productivity Solutions Grant closed to new applications on 29 September 2026. Companies preparing an EDGE grant application for a broader business improvement project should specifically identify any sustainability component, since it may qualify under an EDGE sustainability activity at the higher support rate rather than the base rate.
Companies also facing carbon tax exposure should read this alongside our guide on carbon tax in Singapore, since ESP-funded efficiency projects are one of the more direct ways a company can reduce its underlying emissions footprint and, in turn, its carbon tax exposure over time, rather than simply absorbing the tax as a fixed cost.
Typical Qualifying Activities
| Activity Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Capability building | Sustainability strategy development, carbon footprint measurement, staff training |
| Resource efficiency | Resource optimisation projects under EDGE and energy-efficient equipment under the EEG; larger manufacturing and data centre facilities abating at least 250 tCO2e a year may instead look at EDB’s Resource Efficiency Grant for Emissions (REG(E)) |
| Product/process redesign | Developing more resource-efficient products, services or production processes |
| Standards and certification | Adoption of recognised sustainability standards or certifications |
| Financing | Green financing support via EFS-Green for qualifying sustainability-linked capital expenditure |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ESP a separate application from EDGE?
No. ESP-funded company projects are generally applied for through the relevant EDGE sustainability activity on the Business Grants Portal (or through the EEG or a reporting grant), rather than through a wholly separate ESP application. Before 30 September 2026, these projects went through the EDG channel.
What happened to the planned step-down to 50% after March 2026?
That step-down applied under the EDG framework. New sustainability projects are now assessed under EDGE, where sustainability activities are supported at up to 70% for SMEs and up to 50% for non-SMEs, subject to the activity and the S$100,000 annual cap.
Can a company combine ESP support with REG(E)?
The two are administered by different agencies (Enterprise Singapore for ESP and EDGE, the Economic Development Board for REG(E)) and address overlapping but distinct needs. REG(E) is limited to manufacturing and data centre facilities with larger abatement projects, and grants generally cannot be claimed twice for the same project cost, so check stacking rules with both agencies before assuming the same costs can be combined.
Do I need to be GST-registered or a certain size to apply?
GST registration is not the test. EDGE requires the business to be registered and operating in Singapore with at least 30% Singaporean or PR ownership (based on ultimate individual ownership); non-SMEs can also apply, at lower support rates. An SME is a company with group annual sales of up to S$100 million or group employment of up to 200. Check current thresholds with Enterprise Singapore before applying.
How Raffles Corporate Services Can Help
We help Singapore SMEs assess eligibility for the Enterprise Sustainability Programme, structure the project scope and budget to fit within the current support rate and annual cap, and coordinate the paperwork alongside other grant applications the company may already have in progress.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial or grant advisory advice. For advice specific to your project, please consult Enterprise Singapore directly or speak with our team.
Information checked against official sources on 6 November 2026.
The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services
For a related funding option, see grants for water audits and recycling through PUB’s Water Efficiency Fund.
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