EIP Buddy
The challenge
Applying for the EIP grant is key to agricultural innovation, but the application process is complex and often opaque. Farmers and growers hire expensive advisers, RVO staff are overwhelmed with repeated questions, and the Ministry of LVVN faces high implementation costs. How can grants be made truly accessible without compromising the quality of assessment?
Our solution
Techletes co-created the EIP Buddy with the Ministry of LVVN and RVO: an AI-powered assistant that makes the EIP grant application process more accessible, efficient and understandable.
The chatbot offers 24/7 support and guides applicants through their applications step by step. Using RAG technology (Retrieval-Augmented Generation), it searches policy documents, manuals and internal knowledge bases in real time, turning complex regulations into clear, practical explanations. Data-driven workflows also help users identify missing documents in time, before submitting an application.
Key benefits:
- Efficiency: The chatbot independently handles many common questions, allowing staff to focus on substantive assessments and complex cases.
- Accessibility: Farmers and business owners receive immediate answers at any time, without waiting or navigating complicated service channels.
- Ease of use: Complex terms are explained in plain language so everyone can understand what is expected of them.
- Consistency: Every user receives a consistent answer that reflects policy and aligns fully with the official EIP guidelines.
- Flexibility: When policies or grant conditions change, the chatbot can be updated quickly and scaled to other schemes.
This makes applying for grants simpler for applicants and more efficient and future-proof for government.
Pilot results
The Buddy was tested on a limited basis during the most recent general EIP scheme opening. In a pilot that lasted just 14 days, it delivered promising results:
- 1,500+ questions answered by the EIP Buddy, with 98.5% accuracy.
- Response time reduced from an average of 3 working days to < 15 seconds.
- Lower administrative workload for RVO staff.
Looking ahead
Following the successful pilot, the Ministry of LVVN, RVO and the Common Agricultural Policy (GLB) unanimously agreed to continue developing the EIP Buddy. We are currently working together on a more powerful version of the tool to support both applicants and grant providers throughout the entire grant process, from the first question to the final assessment. This will not only reduce implementation costs, but also help ensure grant funding goes where it is intended: to innovative projects that move the Netherlands forward. We are actively working towards scaling the Buddy to other grant schemes, ministries and public organizations.
Curious whether the Buddy could strengthen your organization or process? Get in touch; we would be happy to think it through with you.
Try it for yourself
We built a demo version to show how a chatbot can support the EIP grant process. You can try it here. Please note that it is a proof of concept and is not yet fully developed or optimized.