The government of the Zenica-Doboj Canton through the project “Improving Air Quality (AQIP)” continues activities to reduce air pollution, and the great interest of citizens in replacing old fireplaces shows that more and more households want to switch to more environmentally friendly heating methods.
As stated by ZDK Prime Minister Nezir Pivić, the project represents the cantonal government’s response to the long-standing problem of air pollution through the replacement of coal-fired home fireplaces with pellets and heat pumps.
“The very response of the citizens to the public call confirms that the project is very good and that the citizens want to reduce the impact on the environment, but that they need the help of the state. So far, we have received about 700 applications from citizens and they are in the consideration phase. We expect that the funds will be sufficient to replace about 2,000 home fireplaces throughout the canton, which will bring about a significant reduction of harmful emissions into the air,” Pivić said.
He added that pellet boilers and heat pumps enable more efficient management of heating systems, with lower energy costs and greater comfort for users.
The Prime Minister reminded that the ZDK Government has been implementing pollution reduction projects in schools and public institutions for years, where pellet boilers and heat pumps have been installed, and that the results have shown significant financial savings and reduction of harmful emissions.
In particular, he pointed to the problem of the uncertain future of heating in Zenica after the announcement of the shutdown of integral production in the Zenica Ironworks, which could threaten the operation of the district heating system.
“Unfortunately, apartment owners cannot register for this public call, because the project is directly focused on the abolition of coal-fired home fireplaces, but we are looking for ways and means to, if not this year, then at least next year, come up with a project that will allow owners of apartments or family houses that are connected to the district heating system, where possible, to switch to pellets or heat pumps,” Pivić said.
The Ministry of Spatial Planning, Transport and Communications and Environmental Protection ZDK points out that the Zenica-Doboj Canton is the first in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to initiate the implementation of the project to replace home fireplaces through the World Bank’s “Air Quality” project.
The project worth eight million euros is being implemented in cooperation with the World Bank and the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism, and the goal is to replace the existing coal and wood heating systems with more environmentally friendly solutions.
Based on the register of home fireplaces created by the “Kemal Kapetanović” Institute, it is planned to sign contracts with end users and replace fireplaces throughout the canton.
The ministry states that 24 companies from the ZDK area were previously selected that citizens can choose as suppliers and contractors.
“In earlier public calls, we selected 24 companies from the ZDK area that the citizens of the ZDK will be able to choose as their suppliers and sign contracts with them on the replacement of the firebox. It is important to note that the Government of the ZDK finances projects with 50% of the project value, for heat pumps the maximum amount is 7,000 KM, while for pellet stoves that amount is 4,000 KM”, said Minister Šabani.
The public invitation is open until September 30, 2026 or until the funds are used up, and the citizens of Zenica and Tešnja are currently showing the greatest interest. The ministry also invited residents of Kakanj, Visoko and Maglaj to register, given the problem of poor air quality in those areas.
It was also announced that the third public call will soon be announced, which will refer to energy efficiency through the replacement of facades and carpentry.
The great interest in the project is also confirmed by the contractors on the ground. The owner and director of the Klimashop doo company, Mirad Drinić, pointed out that citizens are increasingly recognizing the advantages of heat pumps, primarily due to rising prices and difficult procurement of coal and wood.
“There are also many elderly people who are no longer able to physically carry out the work of chopping, bringing in and storing firewood, so heat pumps represent a much simpler and more practical solution for them. The advantage of this subsidy model is that citizens pay only half of the amount immediately, while the canton pays the remaining 50 percent directly to the suppliers. Previously, citizens had to finance the entire project themselves and only wait for the refund afterwards, which often took months,” Drinić said.
He added that the Zenica-Doboj canton is the first in BiH to subsidize the installation of heat pumps in this way, which is why citizens’ interest is growing day by day, he writes. Klix.
