The government program "Clean Air", which was expected to be a flagship initiative to fight smog and aid Poles modernise their homes, is getting into more and more trouble. The latest data from the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW) indicate many abuses, errors and procedural chaos. As a result, nearly 1.5 1000 beneficiaries must return up to 41 million PLN.
Avalanche of checks and reimbursement decisions
In fresh months NFOŚiGW has declared over 1.4 1000 contractsand in the following 652 cases reduced the amount of grants awarded. According to the information provided, the reasons are repetitive: investment delays, documentation errors, non-compliance with method conditions.
However, cases are much more worrying informed circumvention – e.g. installation of devices only “on paper”, their dismantling just after the inspection or deficiency of physical connection to the system. In many cases old coal furnaces are inactive usedEven though they were to be replaced with modern installations.
Effects on industry: contractors without money
The problem doesn't end with beneficiaries. Many performers, mainly installation and construction companies, does not receive due time appropriations, although the work has been completed and settled. There are cases where Transfers are missing for months.
Michał Sobczyka typical of 1 of specified companies, public appeal to authorities, informing of an upcoming wave of bankruptcies. As he claims, current chaos threatens not only companies, but besides the overall implementation of the programme. – "It's not just a business drama. It is simply a possible disaster for a programme that is of large importance to the country" – warns.
Lost assurance in the program
"Clean Air" was to be the bottom-up energy transformation tool. Through mass exchange of heat sources and thermomodernisations of houses, the program was intended to improve air quality in Poland. Instead, it becomes present symbol of bureaucratic overload and administrative inefficiency.
In an atmosphere of uncertainty and hazard of recovery The interest in the programme is falling, a participants fear the consequences, even despite fair action. meantime the request for modernisation support is increasing – especially in the context of advanced heating costs and persistent smog.
The Fund corresponds to: checks are necessary
In consequence to NFOŚiGW’s allegations, Intensification of controls is the consequence of a increasing programme scale and the request to destruct fraud. At the same time, it was announced reform of verification proceduresof which simplified documentation and faster payments to honest beneficiaries.
However, the problem is not just in procedures. According to experts, trust in the institution is now severely damaged, and any subsequent recovery of the grant only deepens skepticism towards the full system.
The future of the climate agenda and policy is at stake
If the current situation does not change, the program can enter Structural crisis phase. More and more companies can refuse further cooperationand beneficiaries may avoid submitting applications for fear of penalties. For many families, one chance to replace the furnace, heat the home or improve the energy balance.
From the point of view of the State, this is besides a key pillar of climate policy and air quality. A further fiasco could put an end to years of work on shaping environmental awareness and investing in green transformation.
What has to change?
In order for Clean Air to become credible again, it is essential to:
- Clear and transparent rules for clearing investments,
- guarantee of timely payments to economical operators,
- reliable but proportionate checks,
- Communication with beneficiaries and education on responsibilities.
As the current data shows, the scale of deficiencies and phrases is not solely due to the mediocre will of participantsbut frequently with procedural errors and ambiguities of interpretation. Without a thorough correction of the approach, the programme can turn from success to long-term failure.
Read more:
A scandal in Clean Air. Millions to return, chaos and control
