Growers across Europe are under mounting pressure to modernise, cut energy costs, and improve sustainability. But those ambitions come with a price tag. While grant funding exists in abundance, many growers either don’t know where to start or find the application process overwhelming.
To close that gap, NLight has launched a free grant-finding service to help growers in the UK, the Netherlands, and beyond connect with the right opportunities.
Funding meets farming challenges
Labour shortages, rising energy bills, and the push for sustainable production are forcing growers to rethink their operations. The appetite to invest is strong—from LED lighting upgrades to new greenhouse infrastructure—but so too is the cost.
Governments are responding. In the UK, Defra has earmarked hundreds of millions of pounds for farming and horticultural innovation. In the Netherlands, funding continues to flow into greenhouse sustainability and renewable energy projects. The challenge isn’t the lack of support—it’s knowing which schemes to pursue, and how to secure them.
Removing barriers with a free service
NLight’s free grant-finding service takes away the uncertainty and legwork. The company’s in-house team works directly with growers to identify which national or regional programmes best suit their projects—whether that’s facility upgrades, renewable energy adoption, or new growing methods.
The service is offered with no upfront cost, giving growers access to funding opportunities without financial risk.
“Navigating subsidies and funding can be complex, and many growers end up missing out simply because they don’t have the time or expertise to track every scheme,” says Joram van der Meer, NLight’s Head of Sales in the EU North. “By offering this service for free, we’re levelling the playing field—making sure Dutch growers of all sizes can benefit from the funding available to them.”
UK and beyond
In the UK, where farming support has been reshaped since Brexit, the need for tailored guidance is especially acute. From capital grants for new equipment to funds for energy-efficient systems, opportunities are wide-ranging—but often confusing.
“Every grower has different needs,” adds Joost van Dijk, who leads NLight’s work with UK, Dutch, and international clients. “Some are focused on energy savings, others on expansion, and others still on automation. Our role is to simplify the process, show them what’s available, and help them take the first step. We want to make it easier for growers to invest in the future of their business.”
Looking east
Beyond Western Europe, grant-driven horticultural development is gaining traction in Central Asia and neighbouring regions, where governments are investing in modern greenhouse facilities to strengthen food security. While NLight’s initial focus is on the UK and the Netherlands, its team sees clear potential to support growers in these emerging markets too.
From opportunity to action
For growers, the message is simple: grant funding is out there—and it could cover a significant share of new project costs. But finding and winning those grants requires clarity, persistence, and often a helping hand.
With its free grant-finding service, NLight is ensuring growers don’t have to face that challenge alone.
