Municipalities can become operators of the Clean Air Programme – the call has already started!

The National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management is beginning to recruit municipalities to act as operators in the Clean Air Programme. As part of this function, the municipalities will provide full support to residents from the decision to implement the investment through the entire investment process to the completion of the project and settlement of the subsidy.

The municipalities already have a lot of experience in supporting residents to use the funding and acting as an operator will allow them to develop the support they currently offer to residents.

Support in the role of operator is designed to help particularly the elderly and poor who may be exposed to rogue contractors and have difficulty using technology.

Benefits for municipalities

Municipalities that take on the role of operator will receive an additional PLN 1,700 for each successful support of a beneficiary with the highest and increased level of funding. In addition, as operators of the programme, municipalities:

• Will provide residents with support in obtaining grants at the highest and increased funding levels and with pre-financing.
• They will receive financial compensation for operator activities.
• They will be able to benefit from dedicated training.
• They will gain a greater say in protecting residents from fraudulent practices.
• They will accelerate the process of replacing inefficient heat sources.

Tasks of programme operators

The operators’ tasks were divided into two stages:

1. First stage (PLN 500 for the municipality):
   • Identification of residents in need of support.
   • Presentation of possible solutions in the Clean Air Programme.
   • Assistance in the selection of an energy auditor and contractors.
   • Support in completing and submitting the grant application.
2. Second stage (PLN 1200 for the municipality):
   • Assistance in signing contracts and implementing investments.
   • Support in obtaining advances and pre-financing.
   • Assistance in collecting documentation and accounting for the project.
   • Informing about the conditions of the programme and the obligations of the beneficia

How can the municipality become an operator?

Municipalities interested in participating can submit applications to the Provincial Funds for Environmental Protection and Water Management. The deadline for applications in the first phase is 21 March 2025, while agreements with municipalities will be signed by 31 March 2025. The next phase will take place by 30 June 2025. The call for applications for municipal operators is ongoing.

New rules for the award of grants

The highest subsidy level and pre-financing in the new edition of the Clean Air Programme will only be available with the support of an operator. For the increased level, the operator will be optional. If the municipality does not take on the role of operator, the Provincial Environmental Protection and Water Management Fund will take over these responsibilities.

The Clean Air Programme is a key element in combating fuel poverty and improving the energy efficiency of buildings. Involving municipalities as operators will ensure more effective support for residents and faster implementation of investments.

Małopolska Region – pioneer in implementing the operator system

It is worth noting that the concept of Clean Air Programme operators was initiated in Małopolska region as part of a pilot scheme covering 23 municipalities. The Małopolskie Voivodeship was the first in the country to implement a system of operators, which significantly improved the process of providing support to residents and contributed to an increase in the number of applications submitted.