Applications for energy renovation of public buildings in Croatia starts on January 15

The Call for Energy renovation of public buildings in Croatia is open for submission of application starting on January 15. For these purposes, the European Regional Development Fund has allocated HRK 380 million (EUR 51 million).

The Ministry of Construction and Physical Planning launched the Call Energy renovation of buildings and use of renewable energy sources in public sector buildings on  November 16 last year. The lowest grant amount that can be granted for financing eligible project is HRK 80,000 (EUR 10,000), and the highest amount is HRK 40,000,000 (EUR 5.4 million).

According to the Ministry’s statement, grants will be awarded by an open grant award procedure under a permanent call. Deadline for submission of project proposals is December 31,  2020, or up to absorption of available funds.

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is HRK 380 million (EUR 45 million) but in case of funds being used up, there is a prospect of increasing the allocation.

Project proposals that promote energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources could be submitted by ministries, central state offices, state and county administration offices, local and regional self-governments, public institutions or social institutions, religious communities and associations of public authorities defined by law.

The Croatian government decided last May to increase the funding for projects aimed at increasing the energy efficiency of public and apartment buildings from the ERDF. More money was also secured for renewable energy sources for schools and nurseries.

Under the Operational Program Competitiveness and Cohesion, last year, through public calls for energy renovation of public buildings, the Ministry has placed EUR 99.5 billion of grants from the European Regional Development Fund. Under the Call for Energy renovation of buildings and use of renewable energy sources in public institutions performing educational activities, and for 214 projects more than HRK 342 million (EUR 46 million) of grants from ERDF was allocated.

ERDF also provided more than HRK 560 million (EUR 75 million) of non-refundable funds of HRK 1 billion (EUR 135 million) investment for the call Energy Reconstruction of Multiple Residential Buildings.