For impressive participation of citizens in ExoEconomy 2021, which is the largest programme energy upgrading of housing, makes reference in a statement to the Ministry of Environment and Energy. As noted, the entries recorded a record. A total of 87,578 applications were submitted, of which 40,145 were classified as "eligible in principle" and 47,433 as "runners-up".

The number of applications submitted for inclusion in the program is much higher than in the previous five residential energy upgrade actions implemented in the last decade.

In particular, participation in the previous programs was structured as follows:

• Exoikonomo 1 (2011) – 8,102 beneficiaries
• Exoikonomo 2 (2012) – 36.971 beneficiaries
• Exoikonomo 3 (2018) – 37.305 beneficiaries
• Exoikonomo 4 (2019) – 20.975 beneficiaries
• Exoikonomo 5 (2020) – 36.364 beneficiaries

The new program will contribute to:

• in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• in limiting energy costs for households
• in addressing energy poverty

Of the eligible applications, 8,356 (20.8%) come from vulnerable households belonging to the lowest income category. The annual individual and family income amounts to 5,000 and 10,000 euros respectively.

ExoEconomy 2021 is the first building energy upgrade programme with a separate budget of €100 million. euros for vulnerable households.

The budget for vulnerable citizens will increase by 20 million. euros, in a total of 120 million euro. This is because funds that were not committed by stakeholders in certain regional units were redistributed exclusively to the first income category with the aim of addressing energy poverty.

With the completion of the multi-family housing applications, it is expected that the goal of including 50,000 households in the program will be achieved, as the budget that will not be tied up by the multi-family housing applications will be allocated to the inclusion of applications that have been classified as "runner-up".

As the Ministry of Environment and Energy points out, at a later date it will announce the transition of applications to the next phase.