There are scammers on the loose in "Clean Air". Municipalities have a very important role to play

• Only municipalities and the Voivodeship Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management are operators of the "Clean Air" program - emphasizes the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management.
• Private companies and individuals are not allowed to present themselves as partners or use the logos of the "Clean Air" program, the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management and the Ministry of Climate and Environment.
• The municipality, as a key partner in the program, should respond to cases of impersonation of public institutions.

The National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in a special announcement reminds that the "Clean Air" program is an opportunity for residents to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and replace inefficient heat sources.

However, as the Fund emphasises, this is also a field of activity for dishonest companies that abuse the trust of beneficiaries by offering "free" advice, obtaining powers of attorney and imposing inflated prices for services and devices.

These activities often take place with unauthorized use of program and public institution logos, which misleads residents - informs the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management.

We remind you that the only official operators of the "Clean Air" program are municipalities and provincial funds for environmental protection and water management (WFOŚiGW). Private companies and individuals are not allowed to present themselves as partners or use the logos of the "Clean Air" program, the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW) and the Ministry of Climate and Environment.

- we read in the announcement.

The Fund reminds that the commune, as a key partner of the program, should respond to cases of impersonation of public institutions, and also inform residents about the risks associated with the selection of contractors who encourage signing contracts under the "Clean Air" program.

We appeal for caution towards entities that refer to cooperation with the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management or the Ministry of Environment. We also recommend that all meetings related to the program organized in the commune are previously verified in terms of the credibility of the organizer and the presented content.

- it was written in the appeal, which the Fund ends with the statement that "only an active attitude of the commune will effectively protect residents against abuses and support the credibility of the program."

Let us recall that due to irregularities and frauds, the program was suspended for over three months. After its resumption - from March 31, representatives of the municipalities are providing direct support to their residents in obtaining subsidies for thermal modernization of houses and replacement of heat sources. Recruitment for municipal operators is conducted on an ongoing basis - applications from more municipalities are accepted.

Municipalities as operators will receive PLN 1,700 in remuneration for "effective support for each beneficiary of the highest and increased level of funding".

For the financing of operators alone, i.e. in this case municipalities, the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management will allocate over PLN 40 million this year.

According to the NFOŚiGW, municipalities are to provide beneficiaries with full support throughout the investment process - from the moment of making the decision to implement the investment, through the entire investment process, until the end of the project and settlement of the subsidy. The operators are to help especially the elderly and the poor, who may be exposed to dishonest contractors and have difficulties using technology.

It is worth emphasizing that the highest level of funding in the new version of the "Clean Air" program is only available with the support of the operator, i.e. the commune . A similar situation applies to subsidies with pre-financing. In the case of an increased level, this will be an option to choose from. If the commune does not apply for the role of operator in a given area, it is planned to entrust these tasks to the WFOŚiGW.