Piloting of “operators” of the Clean Air program will begin in the Małopolska region
Easier access to subsidies, assistance in filling out applications for replacing a stove and insulating a house are the main objectives of introducing so-called operators in municipalities. The National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management has prepared a pilot project that it will test in the Małopolska province.
Assumption of operation of operators
The assumptions of the project’s operation were presented at Monday’s conference by Pawel Mirowski – Deputy Chairman of the Board of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, Plenipotentiary of the Prime Minister for the “Clean Air” program and energy efficiency of buildings, and Jozef Gawron – Deputy Marshal of the Malopolska Region. The event was also attended by Malgorzata Sikora – Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Regional Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Krakow.
The goal of the program is to establish a network of operators to support residents in the effective replacement of heat sources and thermal modernization of homes. The operators will act as guides for potential participants in the Clean Air program. The project’s target audience is primarily those with the lowest incomes.
Tasks of operators will include:
- identifying potential beneficiaries and assisting them in the process of replacing an old furnace or thermo-modernizing their homes,
- preliminary estimation of investment costs and subsidy amounts,
- assistance in the selection of equipment, materials, contractors, and support in concluding contracts with contractors,
- submission of applications for subsidy and payment (and their possible improvements), collection of the resulting documentation,
- supervision of the implementation of the work in accordance with the terms of the Clean Air program.
Operators’ services will be completely free of charge to them. Operators, on the other hand, will be entitled to remuneration for successful activities. Payment will depend on the number of beneficiaries obtained from the poorest group, the type of investment carried out and the positive settlement of the investment.
Who can become an operator?
The program envisages the possibility of applying for the role of so-called operators for:
- advisory, installation or consulting companies,
- non-governmental organizations,
- Churches or religious associations,
- local government units.
There are already 181 consultation and information points in municipalities in Małopolska province. The potential of these points will be able to be used to introduce operator functionality. Agreements on this matter will be concluded between the municipality and the Provincial Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Krakow.
How to apply to be an operator?
Applications should be submitted electronically only through the Grant Application Generator available at https://gwd.nfosigw.gov.pl between August 7 and August 21 this year. Detailed information on the call can be found on the Clean Air website.
Pilots in selected provinces
Parallel pilots will be carried out in the provinces of Malopolska, Warmia and Mazury, and Świętokrzyskie. The results of the three programs will be used to develop principles to be used in the nationwide program.
The pilot program was developed in cooperation with representatives of the Ministry of Climate and Environment, the Marshal’s Office of the Malopolska Region, the Provincial Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Krakow and World Bank experts.
