Hungary launches 3 billion forint asbestos remediation fund

The Hungarian government has launched a 3 billion forint Asbestos Remediation Fund to support municipalities in eliminating asbestos-related health risks. Municipalities can apply for funding to address contaminated areas and, in some cases, to assist with the remediation of private properties contaminated by asbestos.

To qualify, municipalities must possess an asbestos map and commit to providing quarterly reports on asbestos fiber testing results. If testing fails to confirm that health risks have been mitigated, the municipality must repay the full grant amount. Applicants are also required to provide matching funds: 30 percent for cities with county rights, 20 percent for other cities, and 10 percent for large villages and villages. The Ministry for Environmental Responsibility will oversee the technical aspects, while the Ministry of Rural and Settlement Development will manage the funds.