Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) Assessment

If you need a clear, compliant and fast Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) assessment for a funding application, you’re in the right place.

Sustinere has advised over 250 companies on sustainability matters over its nearly 10 years of operation, including compliance with EU requirements, regulations, and DNSH assessments that fully meet funding scheme requirements.

In DNSH assessments we focus on what matters most for funding success: a precise, well‑structured assessment that answers all required criteria with no unnecessary complexity.

photo-1497215728101-856f4ea42174

When is a DNSH assessment needed?

DNSH assessments are typically required when applying for EU or national funding, especially under schemes where project eligibility depends on demonstrating that the activity does not significantly harm environmental objectives.

Most commonly, DNSH is required for:

  • Just Transition Fund applications
  • ESF+, ERDF and other EU‑funded investment measures
  • Green transition or innovation support schemes
  • Measures that involve construction, new production lines, technology upgrades or energy‑related investments

The purpose is simple: ensure that your project meets the mandatory screening criteria so your application can be approved without delays or additional rounds of clarification.

photo-1519748174344-16e5d53bda7a

Who typically needs a DNSH assessment?

DNSH is relevant for companies and organisations planning investments in:

  • Manufacturing and industrial production
  • Construction, real estate and infrastructure
  • Energy, utilities and technology upgrades
  • Transport and logistics
  • Agriculture, food and wood processing
  • Municipalities and public sector organizations using funding for construction, development or innovation projects
  • Service providers applying for EU-funded development or innovation projects

If your project involves equipment purchases, process changes, construction, or capacity expansion, a DNSH assessment is usually required.

Typical timeline and pricing:

Consultant-13 copy

Our process

Step 1 - Kick-off & data request

We clarify the project scope and send a structured data request covering only what is required for DNSH criteria.

We review your project against all six environmental objectives and apply the relevant screening criteria based on activity type:

  1. climate change mitigation (i.e carbon footprint reduction);
  2. climate change adaptation;
  3. sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources;
  4. transition to a circular economy;
  5. pollution prevention and control;
  6. protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems.

We prepare a clear, evidence-based DNSH assessment in the format accepted by funding bodies, including justification and references.

We incorporate feedback and ensure alignment with the final funding application.

You receive a ready-to-submit DNSH assessment that meets all formal requirements.

Reputation-04

Why choose Sustinere?

High accuracy and compliance – DNSH assessments based on EU taxonomy, delegated acts and local authority expectations.​

Fast turnaround – experience working with tight funding deadlines.​

Strong track record – dozens of assessments for manufacturing, construction, services and innovation projects.​

No unnecessary theory – only the information needed to meet formal requirements.​

Ability to combine DNSH with climate resilience assessments if the funding measure requires both.​

Focus on getting things done – minimal time required from your side, our role is to focus on asking information that is truly needed.​