Shaping the future: funding and ESG possibilities with the new aws Guarantee Guideline 2025-2028

The new aws Guarantee Guideline 2025 (aws-GRL), issued under the Austrian Guarantee Act 1977 (GarantieG), replaces the previous guideline for the assumption of guarantees by the Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH (aws) for the years 2022-2025. The aws-GRL aims to facilitate the long-term financing of investments by taking on guarantees for loans from credit institutions and leasing financing. Two main programmes are promoted:

1. Ecological sustainability and digitalisation:

• • • The goal is to support ecologically sustainable economic activities and digitalisation projects.
    • The promotion should contribute to the realisation of climate neutrality and to the digitalisation of the economic life.

2. Growth, investments and research & development:

• • • Guarantee assumptions are intended to facilitate growth and investment projects through guarantees, enabling investments even with insufficient collateral.
    • Support for research, development and innovation projects, aiming to transform scientific and technological results into marketable solutions and to strengthen research infrastructure.

Regarding fossil fuels, there is a comprehensive adjustment compared to the previous Guarantee Guideline:

• • • Liability assumption for coal mining projects ended on 1 July 2025.
    • Projects for oil and gas extraction and processing will no longer be supported from 31 December 2026.

The financing conditions according to the aws-GRL are as follows:

• • • Guarantee rate: up to 80% of the eligible financing amount.
    • Guarantee duration: a maximum of 20 years for capitalizable investments (with up to 5 years of grace period) and 8 years for non-capitalizable expenses (with up to 3 years of grace period).
    • Maximum guarantee amount per project: EUR 30 million, with a maximum cap per company/company group of EUR 50 million for total outstanding guarantees with aws.

Please note that each project that is eligible for the guarantee must be completed within 2 years.

This guideline came into effect on 1 July 2025 and is valid until 31 December 2028. Guarantee applications based on this guideline can be submitted until 30 June 2028. Decisions on the applications must be made by no later than 31 December 2028.

What does that mean for your company?

The new aws-GRL offers financing options and support for companies focusing on sustainable and innovative projects. Particularly in the areas of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance), the guarantee can help you efficiently implement both environmentally friendly and technological initiatives.

In light of this guideline, we recommend:

• • • Early planning of your projects to make optimal use of the deadlines.
    • Reviewing your company strategy regarding potential funding and integrating them into your long-term ESG goals.
    • Preparing necessary documentation for guarantee applications in advance to avoid delays.

We are available to answer your questions regarding the implementation and possible impacts of this guideline on your company strategy. Contact us for personalised advice.

Author: Daniela Stastny, Petra Horner