Enterprise Sustainability Programme (ESP)
The Enterprise Sustainability Programme (ESP) was launched on 4 October 2021 to support Singapore companies, especially SMEs, in building sustainability capabilities and capturing opportunities in the green economy. Enterprise Singapore has allocated up to S$180 million for the programme, expected to benefit at least 6,000 enterprises over four years across all sectors. The programme operates on three levels: developing enterprises' capabilities through subsidized training workshops and enhanced EDG support; strengthening sector-specific capabilities through partnerships with Trade Associations and Chambers; and fostering a vibrant sustainability ecosystem through green financing (EFS-Green), training, certification, and standards development. ESP recognizes that sustainability is increasingly a compliance and competitiveness requirement for companies in global supply chains.
Eligibility Criteria
- 01
Business entity registered and operating in Singapore
- 02
Minimum 30% local shareholding
- 03
Open to enterprises at any stage of sustainability journey
- 04
All sectors are eligible
- 05
Excludes non-profit organizations registered as public companies limited by guarantee
- 06
Excludes foreign companies operating as branch/representative offices
How to Apply
1. For training workshops: Apply directly with training partners via ESP webpage links 2. For capability/product development projects: Apply through Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) on Business Grants Portal 3. For Sustainability Reporting Grant: Apply via Business Grants Portal 4. For EFS-Green financing: Apply through partner financial institutions 5. For partner collaboration: Contact via https://go.gov.sg/helloesg 6. Each eligible entity can send up to 3 participants per course type (Foundational, Decarbonisation, Sustainable Finance)
Claims and Disbursement
Training workshop subsidies are applied directly by training partners. Capability and product development projects are funded through the enhanced Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) framework with milestone-based disbursement. EFS-Green provides green financing for Project Developers, System Integrators, and Technology/Solution Enablers through partner financial institutions. Sustainability Reporting Grant helps companies prepare their first sustainability report consistent with ISSB standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the ESP is open to local enterprises regardless of sector, as long as they are registered and operating in Singapore with minimum 30% local shareholding.
The ESP is an umbrella programme that includes subsidized training, grants (via EDG), financing (via EFS-Green), and standards support. Individual grants within ESP are typically accessed through the EDG framework.
Each eligible entity can send up to 3 participants per course type (Foundational, Decarbonisation, Sustainable Finance).
Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs) registered with ROS or ACRA that are defined as non-profit organisations can participate. However, non-profit organisations registered as public companies limited by guarantee are excluded from some components.
The Enterprise Financing Scheme - Green is a financing facility launched under ESP to enable better access to green financing for companies developing enabling technologies and solutions to reduce waste, resource use, or greenhouse gas emissions.
A grant to help companies prepare their first sustainability report consistent with ISSB (International Sustainability Standards Board) standards.
Related Grants
Enhanced Training Support for SMEs (ETSS)
SkillsFuture Singapore
Up to 90% of course fees for CET Centre courses, up to 70% for other certifiable courses, plus $4.50/hour Absentee Payroll (capped $100,000/year)
The Enhanced Training Support for SMEs (ETSS) helps small and medium enterprises build stronger, more capable teams without the heavy costs usually tied to training. By offering higher course fee subsidies, ETSS eases both the financial and operational burden of sending staff for training. As part of SkillsFuture Singapore's suite of support for businesses, ETSS empowers companies to upskill their workforce and stay competitive across industries. ETSS provides up to 90% course fee subsidies for eligible certifiable courses, making training affordable by covering course fees and giving SMEs access to a wide range of eligible courses. This is an enhanced subsidy layered on top of the baseline subsidy that all locally-registered businesses receive. The enhanced subsidy applies to Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, and LTVP+ holders employed by qualifying SMEs.
Capability Development Grant
National Arts Council
Up to 90% funding cap (enhanced from 15 April 2022)
The NAC Capability Development (CD) Grant encourages and supports continuous professional development of people working in Singapore's arts and culture sector. The grant covers training activities or programmes up to 12 consecutive months, supporting both professional training/skills development and on-the-job training. This grant is part of NAC's comprehensive support framework for the arts sector, updated with enhanced funding rates from April 2022. Key changes in December 2024 include updated submission deadlines, eligibility criteria, training allowance rates, and financial reporting requirements.
Social Enterprise Community Urban Farm (SECUF) Grant
National Parks Board
Infrastructure Support Grant: 25% of infrastructure setup costs (cap $500,000 per site); Programming Support Grant: Up to 50% of setup and programming cost (cap $50,000 per SE)
The SECUF Grant encourages Social Enterprises (SEs) to set up and operate Community Urban Farms and conduct gardening/horticulture-related programmes for seniors, persons with special needs, and low-income individuals/families. Launched in 2021 under the Gardening with Edibles initiative as part of Singapore's vision of Growing our City in Nature. Community Urban Farms are gardening hubs that bring the community together through edibles gardening and curated horticulture programmes. Activities include leasing allotment gardening plots, organising workshops and lessons, community harvest festivals, and coordinating the sale/distribution of harvests.
Capability Transfer Programme (CTP)
Workforce Singapore
Co-funding on case-by-case basis, support levels determined by WSG with sector agencies
The Capability Transfer Programme (CTP) aims to improve local-foreign workforce complementarity by facilitating transfer of capabilities from foreign specialists to locals. The programme encourages a culture of pervasive capabilities transfer across all sectors and entities, and supports companies/associations/professional bodies to develop and acquire new capabilities in Singapore by ensuring sufficient supply of locals with the requisite skillsets. The CTP complements existing capability development programmes administered by other Government agencies, to plug capability gaps quickly in today's fast-changing global market. This is a bespoke programme with no standard application form or fixed funding percentage - all project proposals are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
BuildSG Transformation Fund (BTF)
Building and Construction Authority
Varies by sub-scheme: BETC (S$100M), GTS (S$90M), GMIS-EB 2.0 (S$63M), PSG (up to S$30K per firm), EEG (up to S$350K), and others
The BuildSG Transformation Fund (BTF) is an umbrella framework that brings together all the various industry development support schemes managed by BCA under one unified platform. It is not a single grant but rather the overarching fund that facilitates transformation plans for Built Environment (BE) firms under key Built Environment Industry Transformation Map (ITM) areas. The BTF also enables individuals to tackle key transformation areas through upskilling and training. The BTF covers a comprehensive range of support schemes across multiple transformation pillars: workforce development, DfMA/IDD adoption, green buildings and sustainability, holistic firm transformation, and research & innovation. Each sub-scheme under BTF has its own specific eligibility criteria, funding levels, and application processes. By consolidating these schemes under one umbrella, the BTF aims to make it easier for industry players to discover and access relevant support while ensuring coordinated transformation across the entire value chain.
Part-Time Re-Employment Grant (PTRG)
Ministry of Manpower
S$2,500 per resident senior worker (age 60+), maximum S$125,000 per company (up to 50 senior workers)
The Part-time Re-employment Grant (PTRG) provides funding to employers who offer part-time re-employment, other flexible work arrangements (FWAs), and structured career planning (SCP) to senior workers. The grant aims to provide more flexible work options to attract and retain senior workers and encourage them to stay in the workforce. PTRG was introduced as part of the Senior Worker Support Package in 2020 and has been extended until 2027. The Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) is the sole appointed Programme Partner for the PTRG, and the grant incentivises employers to create comprehensive support structures for senior workers.