The GSLS brings a number of benefits that are useful to the intended applicants. These include: Lower Cost of Capital: Discounted borrowing rates reduce total interest repayments over the life of the loan. Long-Term Flexibility: Repayment terms of up to 10 years lower monthly debt-service obligations, preserving operational cash flow. Reduced Collateral Requirements: Unsecured limits up to €500,000 reduce barrier-to-entry for early-stage or asset-light businesses. Strategic Modernisation: Accelerates decarbonisation, energy transition and modern productivity upgrades.

The scheme is available to viable commercial enterprises operating within Ireland, including: Microenterprises and SMEs: Businesses employing fewer than 250 people with an annual turnover under €50m or balance sheet total under €43m. Small Mid-Caps: Enterprises employing up to 499 people that do not qualify as SMEs. Primary Producers: Farmers, foresters and seafood producers pursuing growth, innovation, or sustainable investments.

Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS)

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Page written by Ian Hawkins. Last reviewed on October 19, 2026. Next review due January 1, 2027.

Help is available for your company’s sustainable development

The Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS) is an initiative designed to help Irish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), small mid-caps and primary producers invest in long-term growth and environmental sustainability. Managed by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the IE GSLS provides accessible, long-term financing, backed by the European Investment Bank Group and the European Commission.

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What is the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme?

The Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme is a low-cost, long-term debt financing option designed to aid businesses across Ireland in making strategic investments. These investments could be the funding of expansion projects or a transition toward green and sustainable business operations. The scheme provides liquidity for businesses at competitive interest rates.

Initially launched to address post-pandemic economic adjustments and energy market shifts, the scheme was significantly expanded to increase total available lending capacity up to €1 billion and extended to run through 2029 (as announced by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine).

How does the GSLS work?

The GSLS operates as a risk-sharing guarantee mechanism between the European Investment Fund (EIF), the Irish Government, SBCI and participating on-lenders (such as major commercial banks and non-bank lenders).

Under the scheme:

Application: Eligible businesses apply through SBCI for an initial Eligibility Letter before proceeding to a participating financial provider.
Underwriting: The participating lender conducts their standard credit assessment.
Guarantee: SBCI and the EIF provide a guarantee to the financial institution on behalf of the borrower, allowing participating lenders to offer reduced interest rates and unsecured loans up to specific caps.

Key features

Loan Amounts: Applicants can borrow from €25,000 up to €3,000,000.
Loan Terms: Flexible repayment terms available between 7 to 10 years.
Unsecured Options: Loans up to €500,000 can be granted on an unsecured basis (subject to lender credit assessment).
Discounted Interest Rates: Reduced interest rates relative to standard commercial lending rates.
Sustainability Incentives: A minimum of 30% of total scheme funding is specifically reserved for climate action and environmental sustainability measures.

Benefits of GSLS

The GSLS brings a number of benefits that are useful to the intended applicants. These include:

Lower Cost of Capital: Discounted borrowing rates reduce total interest repayments over the life of the loan.
Long-Term Flexibility: Repayment terms of up to 10 years lower monthly debt-service obligations, preserving operational cash flow.
Reduced Collateral Requirements: Unsecured limits up to €500,000 reduce barrier-to-entry for early-stage or asset-light businesses.
Strategic Modernisation: Accelerates decarbonisation, energy transition and modern productivity upgrades.

Who is the GSLS for?

The scheme is available to viable commercial enterprises operating within Ireland, including:

Microenterprises and SMEs: Businesses employing fewer than 250 people with an annual turnover under €50m or balance sheet total under €43m.
Small Mid-Caps: Enterprises employing up to 499 people that do not qualify as SMEs.
Primary Producers: Farmers, foresters and seafood producers pursuing growth, innovation, or sustainable investments.

What does the scheme support?

Financing through the GSLS must be used for long-term strategic investment projects. Supported investment areas fall under two main categories:

1. Growth and Resilience Investments

Expansion of production facilities, equipment, or workforce capacity.
Research, development and innovation (R&D).
Market diversification and internationalisation activities.
Digital transformation, software integration and process automation.

2. Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action

Renewable energy installations (e.g., solar PV, wind, biomass).
Building retrofits and energy efficiency upgrades.
Waste management, circular economy practices and water conservation.
Adoption of sustainable agricultural machinery and low-emission equipment.

How do I qualify for GSLS?

To qualify for the IE GSLS, businesses must meet specific eligibility criteria established by the SBCI:

Must be an established microenterprise, SME, small mid-cap, or primary producer operating in the Republic of Ireland.
Must be commercially viable and demonstrate the ability to service the requested debt.
For Sustainability Loans: The project must satisfy specific green criteria outlined in the European Investment Fund’s taxonomy or SBCI green guidelines.
For Growth Loans: The business must satisfy at least one qualifying growth/innovation indicator (e.g., fast-growth metrics, R&D spend, or job creation criteria).

Who is excluded from the scheme?

While the scheme is open across most sectors, standard statutory exclusions apply:

Businesses in financial difficulty (e.g., under insolvency, liquidation, or court protection).
Non-commercial organisations, pure holding companies, or public sector bodies.
Sector-specific exclusions (e.g., speculative real estate development, tobacco, weapons manufacturing, illegal activities, or activities with severe unmitigated environmental impacts).
Businesses that have exceeded permitted state aid caps (De Minimis rules or applicable block exemption limits).

What’s the application process?

To apply for funding under the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme, follow this step-by-step process:

Self-Assessment & Preparation: Determine your investment scope (Growth or Sustainability) and compile your business financial statements and project plans.
SBCI Eligibility Request: Create an account at the SBCI Hub to submit an online application and receive an official Eligibility Reference Number.
Credit Application: Submit your SBCI Eligibility Letter along with standard financial documents to a participating financial provider.
Assessment and Sanction: The participating lender performs standard credit checks and approves the loan under the scheme terms.
Drawdown: Funds are disbursed directly to your business account to begin your investment project.

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Whether you are looking to finance a green initiative or scale your operations, our dedicated funding specialists are here to assist you at every stage.

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Written by

Ian Hawkins

Ian Hawkins is Head of Content at Swoop. As a freelance business journalist and filmmaker he has reported from Europe, Central and North America and Africa. His films and writing have appeared on BBC World, Reuters and CBS, and he has spoken at conferences on both sides of the Atlantic on subjects including data, cyber security, and entrepreneurialism.

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