30.07.2025.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Deputy Prime Minister and minister of physical planning, construction and state property Branko Bačić, minister of environmental protection and green transition Marija Vučković, and director of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund Luka Balen, were present at the official handing over of co-financing contracts for the energy renovation of multi-apartment buildings. These include 36 new energy renovation projects for which EUR 20.6 million has been provided under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP).
In line with the European Green Deal and national climate and energy targets, the energy renovation of buildings is a key component of the green transition. Buildings in the EU are responsible for 40% of final energy consumption and 36% of energy-related emissions, and as much as 75% of the existing building stock is not energy efficient. Energy renovation reduces the need for heating and cooling, increases the resilience of buildings, reduces CO₂ emissions and significantly improves the quality of life of citizens.
"Such large investments in renovation, together with the energy renovation of apartment buildings, are a priority that is important for both our citizens and for Croatia's broader goals in the decarbonisation process. Each of these renovations means lower CO2 emissions, lower energy consumption, better ambient conditions for tenants, stronger mechanical resistance of buildings, greater safety in the event of an earthquake or fire, and a better quality of life," said Prime Minister Plenković.
Minister Bačić pointed out that energy renovation, in this case of apartment buildings, was at the same time a decarbonisation project, aimed at reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. "Energy renovation gained great momentum in Croatia with our first financial envelope, through which we renovated about 1,350 buildings, 850 public buildings and 15,400 households in apartment buildings, which is a total of approximately three million square meters," said minister Bačić.
He added that although that was a large number of square meters, it was still far from what yet needs to be done to achieve energy neutrality by 2050, which is one of the goals of the EU and Croatia. Minister Bačić pointed out that this requires huge investments, but also that, in addition to energy neutrality, it will raise the quality of housing, reduce running household costs, and contribute to greater energy self-sufficiency in Croatia.
In this context, the NRRP was highly beneficial because through it the energy renovation of buildings damaged in the earthquake was co-financed. "This strongly confirms that the Government has recognised the importance of energy efficiency in the building sector. This co-financing will not stop once the implementation of the NRRP is completed, and under which we have so far contracted 290 projects for the energy renovation of multi-apartment buildings worth EUR 289.76 million, of which grants amount to EUR 186.96 million. For the new programming period 2021-2027, 89 million euros have been provided under the Competitiveness and Cohesion Programme, with an additional 22 million euros of national contribution, while the National Housing Policy Plan for Sustainable Housing envisages as much as 400 million euros."
The director of the Balen Fund congratulated the beneficiaries and pointed out that all those programmes would not be possible to achieve without the joint efforts and engagement of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and its line institutions, as well as all other stakeholders, especially co-owners in buildings. The renovated buildings will not only enhance the appearance of our cities and municipalities but also make them more climate-resilient and create sustainable communities. Because renovated buildings - save more and are worth more.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)