22.09.2021.
The participants in the workshop included citizens, energy auditors and contractors who wanted to learn about the terms and conditions for co-financing, method of applying, and other details related to project implementation.Danijel Marušić, the mayor of Brod-Posavina County, pointed out that apart from energy savings, which are a great benefit resulting from the energy renovation, we should not overlook the importance of environmental protection, i.e. the reduction of CO2 emissions, due to the known air pollution issues. He also thanked the Fund on the cooperation so far in the implementation of different environmental protection and energy efficiency projects and wished his fellow citizens success in the application process.
“The Fund earmarked 300 million kunas for the programme envisaging co-financing for the measures such as thermal insulation of the building envelope, the replacement of windows, as well as renewable energy systems, including PV power plants. Thermal insulation of the building envelope or a comprehensive energy renovation is co-financed with up to 60% for the houses in the energy category D or lower in the continental, or C or lower in the coastal part of Croatia. Also, funding is available solely for the use of renewable energy systems, either for heating or electricity generation. However, these funds are ad disposal only to the houses in the energy category C or higher, or B or higher in continental and coastal Croatia respectively, that will be able to get the grant of up to 40, 60 or 80%, depending on the location,” explained the head of the Department for energy efficiency and renewable energy sources at the Fun, Mladen Ilijević.
The conditions for co-financing and the required documentation are almost the same as last year, as well as the online application process. During the workshop, the employees of the Fund explained the application terms and conditions in detail, and each of the required documents. They also demonstrated to the participants the navigation through the e-Applications system to fully familiarise them with the process.
The submission of the requests for co-financing starts on 14 October at 9:00. By then, interested citizens have to create their user accounts so that they could log in, fill in the application form, and upload the necessary documentation. The Fund advised the participants who already had the documentation ready and waiting to obtain new quotes from the contractors. They explained that these quotes were only informative, and it was possible to change the contractor later on. On the other hand, documents such as energy audit report and energy performance certificate are valid for several years and it is not necessary to have them drawn up again if there were no additional construction works on the house.
To simplify the application process as much as possible, especially for those who are not very tech-savvy, the Fund will co-finance expert assistance with up to 500 kn, and the amount will be paid together with other energy renovation costs, based on an invoice or service contract.
All participants were happy with the information they gathered hoping to be successful with their applications for co-financing. In case their applications are successful, they will have a 24-month period to implement the projects they planned.
