The home renovation program “Obnov dom,” designed to reduce household energy consumption, has become the most popular measure of the recovery plan despite initial difficulties. The ambitious goal was to renovate a total of 25,000 family homes within less than five years—homes built at a time when gas, electricity, wood, and coal were cheap and energy waste was largely ignored.
The program started with challenges because the typical recipients were mainly older people from rural areas who had to manage complex administrative procedures. The Slovak Environment Agency simultaneously built a support network to assist them. Interest was enormous from the outset, requiring the processing of tens of thousands of applications and contracts in a relatively short time.
So far, the agency has announced six standard calls plus special calls with softer conditions for people in energy poverty or affected by floods or hail. Households could receive up to 15,000 euros for at least a 30% energy saving, and up to 19,000 euros for savings above 60%, with the agency covering a maximum of 75% of eligible expenses. Homeowners showed the greatest interest in insulation, window replacement, and installing photovoltaic panels.
About a year before the recovery plan deadline, the agency has contracted over 20,000 applications and renovated more than 13,000 homes. Households have used over 210 million euros from European funds for renovations, achieving an average energy saving of 56.4%.
Currently, the sixth nationwide call is underway, opened last December. Initially budgeted at 28.5 million euros, the ministry of environment has repeatedly increased the budget, which now exceeds 107 million euros. The agency strives to meet the demand of all applicants gradually. Over 7,000 households have already applied for this call, with funds available for 5,660, and the rest placed on a reserve list. According to energy specialist and auditor Rastislav Tvarog, the state may announce another regular call.
A Focus survey for the Buildings for the Future platform shows that 170,000 households want subsidies for such purposes, and another 490,000 are considering it. While Slovakia faces difficulties using EU funds in other areas, the “Obnov dom” program has been hugely successful. It is recognized by 88% of respondents and positively rated by 56% of family home owners.
Nine out of ten owners of older homes support continuing subsidies beyond 2026, wishing to improve their homes’ energy efficiency, though finance and administrative hurdles remain the biggest obstacles. Any continuation of the program depends mainly on whether the state can find additional funding. According to the National Coordination and Implementation Authority, funds from the modernization or social-climate fund could help.
Source: Dennik N
