Consultations on Poland’s Clean Air program start February 16 to boost applications, which fell significantly after 2025 reforms.
Consultations Begin Amid Application Decline
Consultations on modifications to Poland’s Clean Air program are set to start on February 16, aiming to increase the number of applications. This follows a significant drop in applications after the program’s reform in 2025.
Timeline for Implementation
Robert Gajda, vice president of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW), notes that some changes could take effect as early as March 31, while others requiring European Investment Bank (EBI) approvals must wait until autumn.
Reduced Ownership Requirement
The first change shortens the period a beneficiary must own a building or residential unit before applying for funding from a minimum of three years to one year, with exceptions for inheritance cases. The list of exceptions, including donations or purchasing at least 50% of a building, will also expand.
Relaxed Energy Efficiency Standards
The second change waives the requirement to implement all actions proposed in an energy audit for buildings with energy consumption between 80-140 kWh per square meter. A 30% energy reduction will be sufficient to demonstrate environmental impact. This requires EBI consultation.
Three-Party Contracts Proposed
Another proposal is three-party contracts involving beneficiaries, WFOŚiGW, and contractors. According to Deputy Climate and Environment Minister Krzysztof Bolesta, this would bind contractors to both obligations and rights, addressing current issues of fraud and contractor frustrations.
Draft Applications Allowed
The fourth change enables beneficiaries or proxies to draft applications in the GWD system before final submission. All such applications will undergo control checks, and the NFOŚiGW plans to extend the pre-financing settlement period after an advance payment is made.
Audit Voucher Initiative
The NFOŚiGW proposes an “audit voucher” to fund energy audits through municipal operators. This aims to lower entry barriers, as beneficiaries previously had to fund audits upfront for reimbursement. The voucher could also encourage more of the 900 remaining municipalities to become operators.
Contractor Registry in Development
The final change involves establishing a registry of contractors who meet specified criteria within the program. Ongoing consultations with the Environmental Protection Institute and Ministry of Climate and Environment aim to ensure the list is as objective as possible.