Heating of buildings and air quality 2.0

Energy — Feb 16, 2026
The project represents a continuation of efforts to reduce air pollution resulting from improper combustion in individual furnaces. Particular attention is paid to the use of outdated wood biomass combustion devices, which contribute significantly to emissions of particles that are harmful to health.

Although the effects of air pollution on health have been well researched, many people are still unaware of its harmful effects. Wood is often considered an environmentally friendly source of energy, and warnings about its harmful effects are often dismissed as exaggerated. As a result, willingness to change is low, and existing communication methods often fail to achieve the desired effect.

Therefore, the main objective of the project is to improve communication about air quality by using behavioural science approaches, effective messaging and storytelling. Instead of simply providing information, we want to develop messages that connect with people's values, experiences, and everyday decisions.

The project aims to strengthen the role of municipalities as important actors in raising awareness and to encourage cooperation between environmental NGOs, health professionals, decision-makers, and other institutions.

Key activities and results:

  • organization of an expert consultation, content-based online campaign, and production of supporting materials for communication on air quality and the impact of particle matter on health;
  • implementation of communication support for pilot municipalities and strengthening of their communication capacities;
  • training for municipalities;
  • review of foreign practices and educational visit to a partner organization from abroad with experience in communicating environmental problems related to air,
  • cooperation between non-governmental organizations and decision-makers and other stakeholders,
  • recommendations for the revision of European legislation on emissions from small combustion devices.

The added value of the project is the linking of environmental and health professionals with local communities. It gives residents a better understanding of how heating affects health, provides municipalities with practical tools for more effective communication and implementation of measures, and strengthens the role of NGOs as trusted partners in the design and implementation of public policies.

Project duration:

december 2025 – november 2026

Lead partner:

Focus, društvo za sonaraven razvoj

Funding:

The project is financed by Eko sklad, j. s. and the Ministry of the Environment, Climate, and Energy (MOPE).

The opinions presented in the project Heating of Buildings and Impact on Air Quality 2.0 are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Ministry of the Environment, Climate, and Energy or the Eko Sklad j.s.