About

The 2014-2020 Operational Programme Environment (OPE) builds on the 2007-2013 OPE. For the next few years nearly €2.506 billion from the Cohesion Fund and the European Regional Development Fund have been earmarked for applicants. The Operational Programme aims to protect and ensure the quality of the living environment of the Czech population, promoting the efficient use of resources, eliminating the negative impacts of human activities on the environment and climate change mitigation.

The Operational Programme Environment is divided into six priority axes.

Each priority axis is further divided into specific objectives, defining certain types of supported projects.

Priority Axis 1 Improving water quality and reducing flood risks
Priority Axis 2 Improving air quality in human settlements
Priority Axis 3 Waste management and material flows, environmental burden and risks
Priority Axis 4 Protection and care for nature and landscape
Priority Axis 5 Energy savings
Priority Axis 6 Technical assistance

Allocation of funds

When and how applications are submitted

Applications may be submitted only in the framework of open tenders announced for the corresponding specific objective according to the nature of the project. Individual tenders for funding applications are announced by the Ministry of Environment (through the State Environmental Fund of the CR and the Czech Nature Conservation and Landscape Agency). The submission of applications takes place via an Internet portal called the Information System of Final Beneficiaries (IS KP14 +) on the website https://mseu.mssf.cz, part of the MS2014+ unified monitoring system for the administration of European subsidies.

Extent of funding

Funding can cover up to 85% of the total eligible costs of the project (exceptionally also 100% for selected conservation measures under Priority Axis 4). For some specific objectives, funding will be provided through a combination of non-refundable grants and other financial instruments of a repayable character. Co-financing using the beneficiary’s resources is prerequisite for all projects. For certain specific objectives, projects the minimum threshold of eligible implementation costs may be limited. Funding is provided to beneficiaries in CZK by bank transfer. Applicants do not have a legal claim to funding.

Eligible applicants

The programme is open to municipalities, organizations, state and local governments, research and scientific institutes, educational establishments, legal and physical entities and non-profit organisations. A full list for eligible applicants concerning individual types of supported projects and activities, the conditions for funding applications and more detailed information is provided in the OP Environment 2014-2020 Programming Document.

Programme management

The Managing Authority is the Ministry of Environment, the intermediary bodies the State Environmental Fund of the CR and for Priority Axis 4 the Czech Nature Conservation and Landscape Agency.

Supervision of the programme is performed by the Monitoring Committee, which continuously monitors the programme with a view to assessing its implementation and progress towards achieving the programme objectives, taking into account financial data, common indicators and indicators specific to 2014-2020 OPE. The Monitoring Committee consists of representatives of the managing authority, intermediate bodies and representatives of the partners (ministries, regions, municipalities, NGOs, professional organizations, etc.).

The Selection Commission recommends the selection of projects and events to promote. The Commission consists of at least three representatives from among the intermediate bodies and the governing body.