How does the Stop Smog program work and who can receive funding?

Stop Smog - what is it and what are its main goals?

The Stop Smog program was established to support the replacement or elimination of heat sources and thermal upgrades in single-family residential buildings. It aims to reduce emissions and improve air quality and improve the energy efficiency of buildings. It focuses on enabling low-emission projects for the benefit of the least affluent households in single-family residential buildings. It is particularly targeted at people who are eligible for cash social assistance benefits. Through the Stop Smog program it is possible to:

Reducing emissions by replacing outdated stoves with modern, low-emission heating systems.
Promoting thermal modernization of single-family buildings by improving the insulation of buildings, which translates into lower energy consumption and heating costs.
Supporting low-income households by targeting the program to building owners who do not have the means to upgrade their homes.
Improving the quality of life of residents by improving air quality in local communities. 

Stop Smog - how does it work and what benefits does it offer?

The Stop Smog program is designed to implement projects in single-family residential buildings, consisting of:

• replacement or elimination of high-emission heat sources with low-emission ones,
• thermal modernization,
• connections to a district heating or gas network,
• providing buildings with access to energy from RES installations,
• reducing the demand of single-family residential buildings for energy supplied to heat them and heat domestic water. 

The subsidy operates on the basis of a grant, the beneficiaries of which are obliged to implement the project within a certain period of time. Up to 3 years from the date of the agreement, low-carbon projects of no more than 2% of the total number of single-family residential buildings in the municipality must be implemented, and up to 4 years from the date of the agreement, projects of more than 2% of the total number of single-family residential buildings must be implemented. 

The Stop Smog Program offers a number of benefits, including, above all, financial support for municipalities:

• For municipalities with up to 100,000 residents, a subsidy is provided to cover up to 70% of the co-financing,
• For municipalities with more than 100,000 residents, less than 70% co-financing. 

The Stop Smog program also provides a number of long-term benefits, such as energy savings and lower heating costs, improved air quality and support for the least affluent residents of the municipalities concerned. 

Stop Smog co-funding - who can apply for it and what are the requirements?

The Stop Smog program is aimed at low-income households that live in single-family buildings in localities with high levels of air pollution. In order to apply for the subsidy, one must meet certain criteria, which are set individually by municipalities based on the guidelines of the National Environmental Protection and Water Management Fund. 

The requirements to qualify for the program are:

• Presence of outdated heat sources - replacing an old furnace is one of the key elements of the program, so households with modern heating systems are usually not eligible for the program,
• Submission of an application to the municipality - applying for the subsidy requires notification by the municipality, which, in cooperation with the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, applies for the subsidy. This means that those interested must apply to their municipality and submit the relevant documents, which are downloadable from the Stop Smog program website,
• Household income - the program is aimed at people with low incomes, so municipalities usually require a certificate of income,
• Technical condition of the building - in order to receive the subsidy, the building must meet certain technical criteria. This mainly concerns the state of insulation and energy efficiency.

Stop Smog Program - what criteria must be met to receive support?

The Stop Smog program is mainly aimed at less affluent households that cannot afford thermal modernization from current funds. It focuses on residents who live in single-family buildings that do not meet energy efficiency standards. To apply for support, several key criteria must be met:

1. Reside in an area where the so-called anti-smog law applies, because the program targets municipalities with high levels of air pollution,
2. Meet income criteria, as the program aims to support the least affluent households. A certificate of income level is required to show that the household in question is unable to finance thermal upgrades on its own,
3. Have an outdated heat source that emits a significant amount of pollution,
4. Most often, support is given to older buildings that do not meet modern insulation and heating standards, so one of the most important criteria for joining the program is the age and technical condition of the single-family dwelling.

Such defined criteria help the Stop Smog Program realistically support people who cannot afford to carry out costly building upgrades. 

How to apply to the Stop Smog program step by step?

The process of applying for a grant under the Stop Smog program consists of several key steps. First of all:

1. Contact the municipality office that is responsible for implementing the program in your area, and find out if the municipality participates in such a program at all. Officials should also give you detailed information about the availability of funds and the entire application procedure,
2. Prepare the application documents. You should get a set from the municipality office that is responsible for implementing the program in your area. You will need a certificate of income, technical documentation of the building and a certificate on the condition of the heat sources,
3. The municipality collects applications from residents and, on this basis, applies for funds for thermal modernization projects to the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management under the Stop Smog program,
4. After submitting the application to the municipality, one must wait for the decision of the municipality and the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management. If they approve the project, the municipality will proceed with the investment,
5. Once the subsidy is obtained, the municipality commissions the work on the single-family residential building in question.

The Stop Smog program is a real support for people who do not have the funds for thermal modernization of their homes, but would like to do so and benefit from modern, low-emission heating solutions. Thanks to the subsidies, it is possible to improve not only air quality, but most importantly the living comfort of the residents of the area.