The competition for the Support Program for More Sustainable Neighborhoods, which opened on August 25 and was initially scheduled to close at the end of this month, faced unexpected developments.
On October 4, the Ministry of Environment and Energy announced that due to the complete absence of applications by that date, the competition would be closed, and the funds would be reallocated to another measure of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) that has demonstrated high demand. The specific measure was not disclosed at the time.
On Monday, the Ministry stated that approximately 51.5 million euros were reallocated to the E-Lar program, a PRR measure with proven high demand that ensures more efficient execution.
According to Ministry data released on October 5, the E-Lar program, aimed at improving the thermal comfort of homes and assisting families in acquiring efficient equipment, received about 40,000 applications in six days, exhausting the allocated budget of 30 million euros.
In an email sent on the 16th, the Residents’ Association of Bairro da Calçada dos Mestres criticized the closure of the competition before its initially set date of November 30, deeming the government’s justification “laughable” and “illegal.”
Clementina Garrido, a director of the residents’ association of the historic Campolide parish, explained by phone that 24 members were preparing to apply for funding primarily for replacing windows, roofs, and solar panels to enhance energy efficiency. The program allowed for up to 15,000 euros in support per homeowner.
However, Garrido noted that the competition requirements are “very demanding,” requiring a series of documents that take time to obtain. The association had already incurred expenses, including approximately 250 euros for an energy certificate.
“Suddenly, we realized the competition was closed. They could have at least waited for the deadline,” she criticized, questioning the credibility of claiming no applications were submitted.
The Ministry of Environment and Energy confirms that there will be no reimbursement for expenses incurred prior to the submission of applications. However, they mentioned that the Sustainable Operational Program will open in 2026 with similar objectives to the closed program, and any certifications already obtained could be used, depending on their validity period.
The decision to close the competition, as justified by the Ministry led by Maria da Graça Carvalho, was due to a lack of demand and the clear inability to carry out interventions within the required time frame.
According to the Ministry, even if applications had been submitted by the closing date or after, the work would not be feasible by the mandatory deadline of June 30, 2026, as set by the government that launched the competition.
