By decision of Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Nikos Papathanasis, in cooperation with the Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou, the project “Residential Energy Upgrade Actions – EXOIKONOMO 2025 Programmes” was included in the “Environment and Climate Change” Programme under the 2021–2027 NSRF, with co-funding from the European Regional Development Fund. It has total public expenditure of €425,827,568.36.
The project covers the completion of the “Exoikonomo 2025” programme, the first phase of which was co-funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility. The programme provides incentives for energy-saving improvements to residential buildings, with the aim of reducing energy needs and consumption of conventional fuels.
Specifically, the programme covers buildings that are legally existing, used as a primary residence and owned by people who meet specific income criteria.
Beneficiaries are divided into two categories based on their income. The grant rate varies according to income category and whether they fall into one of the special categories: people affected by natural disasters in the regions of Thessaly, Central Greece and Central Macedonia; families with one or more members with a disability; and families with three dependent children. Beneficiaries may also obtain a loan with an interest-rate subsidy.
The improvements cover single-family homes and individual flats. In cases of major renovation, the building or building unit must be rated at least Energy Class B under the Regulation on the Energy Performance of Buildings (KENAK), insofar as this is technically and functionally feasible.
Achievement of the energy target is verified through an energy inspection by an Energy Inspector both before and after the improvements are carried out (first and second Energy Performance Certificates).
The project covers beneficiaries in all regions except Western Macedonia, the North Aegean, the South Aegean and Crete, which will receive funding from the “Just Development Transition” Programme.
The beneficiary of the project is the Technical Chamber of Greece, its partner is the Hellenic Development Bank, and its owner is the Special Service for the Executive Structure of the NSRF at the Ministry of Environment and Energy.
The programme’s minimum energy target is to upgrade each home by at least three energy classes from its initial rating, ensuring primary energy savings of more than 30%.
Minister of Environment and Energy Mr Papastavrou said:
“Reducing household energy costs is a consistent priority for us. At a time when family budgets are under intense pressure from the international energy crisis and the resulting higher costs, including ‘Exoikonomo 2025’ in the NSRF ensures the programme can be completed without interruption, so households that have started work can finish it with funding secured.
Upgrading each home by at least three energy classes, with energy savings of more than 30%, brings lasting benefits: lower heating and cooling costs, better living conditions and a smaller environmental footprint. Lower energy consumption is an investment in quality of life and meaningful support for family budgets.
The energy transition becomes a reality when it reaches citizens’ homes. With particular care for vulnerable households, people affected by natural disasters, families with members who have a disability and families with three dependent children, we are strengthening social cohesion in practice.
I thank Deputy Minister Nikos Papathanasis for his constructive and effective cooperation. We are making use of available European funding for improvements that deliver measurable results in people’s everyday lives”.
Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Mr Papathanasis stressed:
“Following the full absorption of funds from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, and in line with our priority of ensuring that programmes important to the economy and society are completed through other funding instruments, we are moving ahead with the inclusion of ‘Exoikonomo 2025’ in the 2021–2027 NSRF, in cooperation with Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou.
The aim of this initiative is to ensure that people can reduce their energy consumption and improve the quality of their properties and everyday lives, particularly in the current circumstances. Particular care is being given to socially vulnerable groups and regions of the country with distinctive characteristics.
We continue to turn our commitments into action, making use of every available European and national resource to create a more resilient and energy-independent Greece — the Greece of 2030”.