In a statement, the Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing announced that, even with the economic effects caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the IFFRU 2020 (Financial Instrument for Urban Rehabilitation and Revitalisation) finalised 304 contracts in April. The total investment reached more than 890 million euros to rehabilitate buildings and improve their energy performance fully.
Intending to revitalise urban centres, the buildings targeted under the IFRRU 2020 are residential (132 contracts), commercial (155), collective use or social and cultural support, including public facilities for student residences and also healthcare. More than 60 buildings have been completed already.
Most of the projects (235) are being developed by companies, but there are also projects from individuals, Private Social Solidarity Institutions and Municipal Councils. According to the Office of the Minister of Infrastructures and Housing, the operations are located in the Urban Rehabilitation Areas, defined by the respective Municipalities, thus ensuring their alignment with local urban policy goals. 81 Municipalities in the various regions of the country have already received IFRRU 2020 funding.
The IFRRU 2020 was created under Portugal 2020 and is a financial instrument controlled by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing. The fund is the largest urban rehabilitation incentive programme in Portugal, with a financing capacity of 1.4 billion euros, providing the best conditions for those wishing to invest in the rehabilitation of urban buildings. In 2021, a fixed rate of 0% was set for most of the public allocation.
