17.07.2025.
As previously announced by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition and with the aim of reducing air pollution and improving its quality, the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund has launched a Public Call for co-financing the replacement of obsolete heating systems to citizens from the areas of Slavonski Brod, Sisak and Kutina. These are cities with air quality category II, in zone HR 2 - the so-called industrial Croatia.
One of the main causes of an increase of particulate matter in these areas are emissions from small household furnaces that use solid fuels such as wood for heating, and the problem can be further exacerbated by a combination of cold weather and a stable synoptic situation, with particles settling on the ground, while the lack of wind and precipitation prevents natural air purification.
Minister Marija Vučković pointed out that this was just one of the measures planned as part of the announced comprehensive programme to improve air quality in Croatia, worth in total 220 million euros.
"In broader consultations, especially with the local community, we have defined direct activities that need to be taken. This call is intended to finance a specific measure that we believe will significantly improve air quality and living conditions in the areas of these 3 cities", said minister Vučković.
In addition to replacing household furnaces, the two-year programme 2025-2026 to improve air quality in Croatia will also include other investments, such as the energy renovation of family houses of citizens who are at risk of energy poverty, the installation of photovoltaic power plants, the purchase of vehicles using alternative fuels, and zero-emission vehicles for users who run long distances, such as taxi services or delivery vehicles.
"The goal of these investments is to directly increase air quality, providing citizens with a healthier environment and contributing to the reduction of GHG emissions," said the director of the Fund, Luka Balen. "Our plan is to co-finance about 1,100 RES systems for the use of renewable energy sources through this call. This will enable households to save on heating in the long term and also encourage the transition to more sustainable and cleaner solutions, without unnecessary emissions."
10 million euros have been secured for the published call, and owners of family houses and apartments in buildings can receive up to 16,150 euros in grant. The grant funding should be used to replace fossil fuel boilers with environmentally friendly heating systems that use renewable energy sources, such as pyrolytic wood-fired boilers, heat pumps and photovoltaic power plants.
In addition to the installation of such systems, an eligible cost is also professional assistance for applying to the call, if necessary. The applications will be received solely electronically, through the eFZOEU system, and citizens can apply independently or by a proxy, who will have to obtain a special power of attorney certified by a notary public.
Applications for the Call can be submitted from 2 September at 9 a.m., either until the funds are used up or no later than 31December 2025.
