Casa Verde — Who Got the Subsidy: Real Experience from 2025–2026 Participants

On July 3, 2025, Moldova launched Casa Verde — a grant programme of up to 200,000 MDL for energy-efficient home renovation. Within two weeks, 745 applications had arrived and the phase budget was closed. In December 2025, the first participants received their money. In March 2026, Phase 2 opened — and in the first day alone, over 550 applications came in.

This article is not about official press releases. It covers the real picture: who passed selection, what caused rejections, how long the wait actually is and what to watch out for in 2026.

What Is Casa Verde and Where Does the Money Come From

Casa Verde is a product of the FEERM programme (Residential Energy Efficiency Fund of Moldova). The money does not come from the state budget in the usual sense: the programme is funded by the European Union and Germany through the E4M project, implemented by GIZ. Additional funding comes from Norway and Denmark. The programme is administered by CNED (the National Centre for Sustainable Energy).

This is essential to understand: the funds are non-reimbursable — this is not a loan. The grant is paid out after works are completed and officially accepted — meaning you first invest your own 50%, then receive the reimbursement.

**Maximum grant amount:** 200,000 MDL (≈ €10,000) **Compensation rate:** up to 50% of eligible works cost **Example:** project costing 300,000 MDL → grant 150,000 MDL; project costing 600,000 MDL → grant capped at 200,000 MDL

Phase 1 Figures: What Actually Happened

**3 July 2025** — official programme launch on feerm.md. **17 July 2025** — applications close: 745 submissions in 14 days. Cap reached. **516 of 745** applications approved (69%). The rest rejected — most often for failing eligibility criteria or submitting incomplete documentation. **December 2025** — first participants completed works and received grant payments. **March 2026** — Phase 2 opens: 1,000 slots (300 for Chișinău, 700 for other districts). First day: over 550 applications.

The conclusion is clear: competition is fierce. Phase 2 may close within days of the announcement.

Who Is Eligible — and Who Got Through

According to Phase 1 conditions (Phase 2 — similar conditions):

**Mandatory criteria:**

• At least one minor child in the family
• Ownership rights over the property being applied for
• Property registered in the real estate register as an individual residential home (not temporary housing, not a holiday home)
• No debts to the state budget
• Works carried out by companies authorised and registered on feerm.md

**Who did NOT get through — common rejection reasons:**

1. **Home not registered as a residence** — many houses in rural areas lack updated technical documentation. Without cadastral registration as a «residential home» — rejection.

2. **No children under 18** — retirees and childless families did not meet Phase 1 conditions.

3. **Incomplete documentation** — the feerm.md personal account system sent requests for additional documents, but not all applicants tracked their status. Response deadline — limited.

4. **Works started before approval** — the grant does not cover already-completed works. Anyone who began installation before signing the financing contract received automatic rejection.

5. **Installer not on feerm.md registry** — even ANRE-certified installers must be separately registered on the platform. If your company is not listed there, the application is rejected.

Real Experience: What It Looked Like From Inside

CNED did not publish individual cases by name — only aggregated statistics exist. Based on what is known from installer communications and publications:

**Typical successful participant story (Phase 1):** Family with two children, private house in Chișinău, electricity bill 1,400–1,600 MDL per month. Applied in the first 3 days after launch. Chose a company from the feerm.md registry. Uploaded: identity document, title deed, cadastral extract, house technical passport. Application approved in 3–4 weeks. Works: 6 kW solar panels + 10 kWh battery + partial thermal insulation. Total estimate: ~280,000 MDL. Grant: 140,000 MDL. Payment — within 25 days of CNED final acceptance.

**Typical rejection story:** Applicant missed the notification requesting additional documents. Deadline passed — application closed with status «incomplete». The slot went to the next person in line.

**An important note about the most popular project types:** according to CNED Director Ion Muntean, the most requested measures were heat pumps, photovoltaic panels with battery storage and home insulation. Note: panels *with battery* — Casa Verde does not fund simple on-grid systems without storage.

What Casa Verde Funds — and What It Doesn't

**Funded (examples):**

• Solar panels + battery (system with storage)
• Heat pumps
• Thermal insulation of walls, roof, floors
• Replacement of windows and doors with energy-efficient ones
• Biomass boilers
• Solar collectors (for domestic hot water)

**NOT funded:**

• On-grid systems without battery storage
• Equipment purchased independently (only through authorised supplier)
• Works started before signing the financing contract
• Homes with temporary or holiday home status
• Projects of legal entities (individuals only)

This is critical for anyone who planned a basic on-grid system and expected compensation — it won't work. A hybrid system with battery storage is required.

Phase 2 — March 2026: What Changed

Launch — March 2026. Key parameters:

• **1,000 slots** (one-third more than Phase 1)
• **300 slots for Chișinău**, 700 for other districts
• **Conditions similar to Phase 1** — families with children, own home, no debts
• **Applications only via feerm.md** during the active call period
• **550+ applications on day one** — competition has not eased

What's new compared to Phase 1: regional quotas (more slots for districts outside the capital), clearer instructions on the platform, expanded list of authorised companies.

How Not to Lose Your Spot: Practical Advice

**1. Prepare documents in advance** Don't wait for the call announcement. Prepare ahead: identity document, property title, cadastral extract, updated house technical passport, children's birth certificates.

**2. Choose a company from the feerm.md registry, not just the ANRE registry** These are separate registries. Check your installer at feerm.md under «Suppliers». If the company is not listed, your application will be rejected regardless of work quality.

**3. Monitor notifications in your personal account** CNED sends requests for document supplements — you have limited time to respond. Check your email and account daily after submitting.

**4. Do not start works before signing the contract** Even if the installer says «we'll start and formalise later» — this is a guaranteed rejection. Financing contract first, installation second.

**5. Plan a hybrid system, not on-grid** If you want compensation specifically for solar panels, you need a battery. Additional cost: +50,000–65,000 MDL for 10 kWh. But with a grant of 140,000–200,000 MDL, it remains financially worthwhile.

**6. Apply in the first hours after opening** Phases close fast: Phase 1 — 14 days, Phase 2 — likely faster. Subscribe to CNED (cned.gov.md) and SolarMD newsletters to not miss the announcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

**I don't have children. Can I apply?** In Phases 1 and 2 — no. The current requirement: at least one minor child. This may change in future phases — follow CNED announcements.

**Can I receive a retroactive grant for already-installed panels?** No. The programme does not provide retroactive payments. Works must begin after application approval and contract signing.

**Can I combine the grant with a bank loan?** Yes. This is an officially encouraged strategy. Maib and ProCredit banks offer «green loans» through the GEFF/EBRD programme with an additional cashback of 10–15% of the loan amount. That means you can obtain a 50% grant + ~10% cashback = cover up to 60% of total cost.

**How long does it take from application to payment?** Approximately: application approval — 3–6 weeks; installation — 1–3 months; CNED final acceptance — 2–4 weeks; payment — up to 30 days after acceptance. Total from application to receiving money: 3–6 months.

**What happens if the installing company closes before works are completed?** Responsibility for choosing the contractor lies with the applicant. CNED recommends choosing companies with at least 2 years of activity and verifiable reviews. SolarMD-verified installers meet this criterion.

**CNED hotline:** 0 8005 5005 (free) **Platform:** feerm.md