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Factsheet for measure GR-2022-40/3102 – measures in Greece

'Saving - Autonomy' programme for residential buildings' energy upgrade

Exikonomo-Aftonomo (Εξοικονομώ -Αυτονομώ)

Country Greece , applies nationwide
Time period Temporary, 01 October 2022 – 28 February 2023
Context Green Transition, European Semester
Type Other initiatives or policies
Category Promoting the economic, labour market and social recovery into a green future
– Support for spending, stimulus packages
Author Penny Georgiadou (INE GSEE)
Measure added 20 February 2023 (updated 01 April 2023)

Background information

"Saving - Autonomy" is the current program of energy upgrade and autonomy of housing, and is the successor of the previous programs entitled "Saving at Home", A and B cycle. The ministerial Decision FEK B'5628 amends the previous relative Decision (112232/1033/20.11.2020) concerning the implementation of the "Saving - Autonomy" program. The program aims to:

  • Reduce the energy needs of buildings and pollutant emissions.
  • Save costs for citizens, improving daily living conditions and comfort.
  • Achieve a cleaner environment.

Applications for the program started on 11 December 2020 and after two consecutive extensions, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the high citizens’ interest ended on 19 March 2022.

The completion of the project has been extended until 31 May 2023.

Content of measure

The program provides incentives for energy saving interventions and enhancement of energy autonomy in the residential building sector, with the aim of reducing energy needs and consumption of conventional fuels, in the context of the transition to a "Smart Home". Beneficiaries are individual persons who own a home.

The program provides for a separate budget (€100 million) for vulnerable households, while special care is given to single-parent families, large families and households with disabilities. The application period started from 11 December 2020 until the budget will be exhausted.

Applications for funding are submitted electronically by the possible beneficiaries through the platform of the Program . Eligible for the Program are the costs related to works:

  • Replacement of frames installation.
  • Upgrading of thermal insulation and heating.
  • Hot water systems using Renewable Energy Sources (RES).
  • Other saving – autonomy interventions (photovoltaic, smart home, elevator upgrade).

The total budget of the program is €896,750 million. Maximum eligible budget per beneficiary is €48,500 for a single home and €76,270 for an apartment building.

Use of measure

According to an announcement by the Ministry of Environment and Energy on 28 April 2022, 87,578 applications had been submitted, of which 40,145 were classified as "in principle eligible" and 47,433 as "runners-up".

The number of the applications is much higher than in the previous five residential energy upgrading measures.

Of the eligible applications, 8,356 (20.8%) come from vulnerable households belonging to the lowest income category, with an annual individual and family income of up to €5,000 and €10,000 respectively.

With the completion of the applications for apartment buildings, the goal of including 50,000 households in the program is expected to be achieved.

Target groups

Workers Businesses Citizens
Does not apply to workers Does not apply to businesses Single parents
Disabled
Other groups of citizens

Actors and funding

Actors Funding
National government
Company / Companies
European Funds
National funds
National Recovery and Resilience Facility

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

Trade unions Employers' organisations
Role No involvement No involvement
Form Not applicable Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

  • No involvement
  • Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

There is no involvement of social partners.

Views and reactions

GSEVEE with various interventions during 2021 and 2022 demanded the inclusion of SMEs in the program.

Sources

  • 09 July 2021: «Εξοικονομώ - Αυτονομώ»: Την ένταξη μικρομεσαίων επιχειρήσεων στο πρόγραμμα ζητά η ΓΣΕΒΕ (www.iefimerida.gr)
  • 28 April 2022: Εξοικονομώ 2021: Ρεκόρ ενδιαφέροντος με 87.578 αιτήσει (www.cnn.gr)
  • 31 July 2022: 2η τροποποίηση της Δράσης ΕΠΙΤΕΛΙΚΗ ∆ΟΜΗ ΕΣΠΑ ΥΠΕΝ ΤΟΜΕΑ ΕΝΕΡΓΕΙΑΣ Ο∆ΗΓΟΣ ΕΦΑΡΜΟΓΗΣ ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑΤΟΣ «ΕΞΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΩ – ΑΥΤΟΝΟΜΩ» ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ∆ΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ ΥΠΟΥΡΓΕΙΟ ΠΕΡΙΒΑΛΛΟΝΤΟΣ KAI ΕΝΕΡΓΕΙΑΣ ΕΠΙΤΕΛΙΚΗ ∆ΟΜΗ ΕΣΠΑ ΥΠΕΝ ΤΟΜΕΑ ΕΝΕΡΓΕΙΑΣ Ο∆ΗΓΟΣ ΕΦΑΡΜΟΓΗΣ ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑΤΟΣ «ΕΞΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΩ – ΑΥΤΟΝΟΜΩ (www.espa.gr)
  • 27 October 2022: 3η τροποποίηση της Προκήρυξης του προγράμματος «Εξοικονομώ- Αυτονομώ (exoikonomo2020.gov.gr)
  • 20 February 2023: Εξοικονομώ - Αυτονομώ (www.espa.gr)

Citation

Eurofound (2023), 'Saving - Autonomy' programme for residential buildings' energy upgrade, measure GR-2022-40/3102 (measures in Greece), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/GR-2022-40_3102.html

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