UFI A funding program for eco-friendly investments
UFI is the governmental funding program that helps creating positive effects on investment, health and employment in Austria.
It was established by the Austrian Environmental Subsidy Act (Umweltförderungsgesetz), effective since 1993.
The Federal Ministry supports investments in the private and business context which have a positive environmental effect by saving resources, energy and emissions.
Furthermore, the overall Environmental Subsidy Act also covers programs focusing on residential water management, remediation of contaminated sites and international climate-finance etcetera.
The positive effects of the UFI
In 2021 UFI funding of about 274 million Euro was granted for 33.675 projects, which accounted for an overall investment of 1.678 billion Euro in Austria. These projects will lead to annual energy savings of approximately 920.000 MWh and to annual CO2 reductions of approximately 507.000 tons.
These figures include subsidies for the energy-efficient renovation of buildings and the replacement of fossil-based heating boilers:
How is the UFI working?
The Environmental Subsidy Act regulates the organization and principles as well as the form of financing. The task of granting funding for environmental actions in the context of UFI is executed by the Federal Minister for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology. Besides determining the specific criteria for granting and setting the aims for the funding policy via guidelines the Minister decides on granting subsidies.
A Commission for issues Relating to Environmental Support in Austria is implemented. It offers advice to the Federal Minister for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology regarding the policies and the decisions for grants for each project. The Commission comprises of representatives from the BML (Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management), the BKA (Federal Chancellery), the BMF (Federal Ministry of Finance), the BMAW (Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy), the Chamber of Labour, the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Austrian Chamber of Agriculture, the Austrian Trade Union Federation and from the parliamentary parties.
The Kommunalkredit Public Consulting GmbH (KPC) is the central administration unit for the UFI. It receives the applications for subsidies, appraises them and submits them to the commission, which expresses its recommendation. After the ministerial decision, the KPC issues a contract with the applicant by order and for account of the Minister. The KPC is also responsible for handling the contract and payment.
Success stories of the UFI
Best practice examples of projects (→ BMK Infothek) (in German language only)