The European Local Energy Assistance (ELENA) facility is providing a €2.4 million technical assistance grant to help Zagreb make 50 public buildings more energy efficient. Most building renovations are planned to take place through energy performance contracting (EPC). EPCs are arrangements between building owners and an energy service company that invests in energy efficiency measures and guarantees savings over a set amount of time.

The ELENA technical assistance project will run until April 2026. The total target value of the projects to be supported by ELENA is €85 million, which will include energy efficiency retrofitting of kindergartens, schools, care homes for the elderly and other public buildings.

The projects include renewable energy and energy management systems in buildings, as well as offering electrical storage for solar panels and electric charging stations. Ultimately, they will create energy savings and significantly reduce emissions in Zagreb.