DNSH stands for "Do No Significant Harm". In the field of subsidies and grants, it represents a core environmental standard. It is a fundamental requirement that every project funded by EU funds during the 2021–2027 programming period must satisfy. Put simply: if you want to obtain an EU grant, your project must not cause significant harm to the environment.
Six Environmental Areas of the DNSH Principle
To pass the DNSH evaluation, your project must not significantly damage the environment or contradict the EU's environmental objectives across these six domains:
- Climate change mitigation – the project must not lead to significant greenhouse gas emissions.
- Climate change adaptation – the project must remain resilient against extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, or storms.
- Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources – the project must not compromise the quality of surface water or groundwater.
- Transition to a circular economy – the project must minimize waste, encourage recycling, and use raw materials efficiently.
- Pollution prevention and control – the project must not increase hazardous emissions into the air, water, or soil.
- Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems – the project must not harm natural ecosystems, protected areas, or endangered species.
How DNSH is Assessed in Practice
When submitting a grant application, you must answer a series of questions regarding your project's environmental impact. For each of the six areas, you will address the fundamental question: Does the project have a zero or only negligible impact on this objective?
Documents That Support Proving DNSH Compliance
You can support your claims that the project causes no environmental harm with various types of documentation. Projects focused directly on environmental protection—such as renewable energy sources or improved waste management—naturally have an advantage. For other projects, submitting the following is recommended:
- ISO 14001 certification or EMAS registration.
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
- Relevant building and construction permits.
- Waste management documentation.
- Application of Best Available Techniques (BREF).
- Proof that the project does not interfere with protected natural areas.
Because compliance with the DNSH principle is mandatory for all projects funded by European funds, failing to meet these criteria will result in the rejection of the grant application.
