Polish entrepreneurs demand urgent action from the new administration, warning that unpaid subsidies for the Clean Air program could force them to strike.
Business Owners Demand Immediate Action
Polish entrepreneurs have written to Prime Minister Donald Tusk and other officials, insisting that the Clean Air program’s pending payments be released promptly and that a high‑level roundtable include ministry, fund, producer, installer, social and NGO representatives.
Legacy Funding Problems Underscore Program’s Crisis
The scheme, introduced during PiS rule, originally financed the replacement of coal stoves and later added thermal modernization to improve home energy efficiency. It now pays billions of PLN annually, yet beneficiaries cite months‑long delays.
Program Suspension and Resumption Amid Allegations
Accusations of inflated repair costs led the Ministry of Climate and the National Environmental Protection Fund to suspend the program, which had only resumed in spring. Despite securing European funds, irregularities continue to surface after the restart.
Delayed Payments Threaten Business Viability
Companies report that unpaid subsidies leave them unable to compensate contractors, cover wholesale purchases, or avoid layoffs. Even after the government promised faster disbursements, many firms still await their funds.
Stakeholders Urge Crisis Roundtable
The association of employers calls for an emergency meeting at a roundtable to craft a realistic rescue plan and provide long‑term financial guarantees for the program’s sustainability.
Declining Participation Signals Loss of Trust
Since the program’s renewal, applications have fallen sharply—from around 33,800 in six months after the April launch compared with merely 600 in two months before. Experts link the drop to public mistrust after delays, audits, and irregularity claims.
