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The Supreme Audit Office (NKÚ) published on 19 October 2026 the results of an audit of money from the Integrated Regional Operational Programme (IROP) intended for the revitalisation of public spaces in towns and municipalities. According to the office, the projects renew public spaces but often have a smaller environmental benefit than expected and created little green space. The audit mainly covered the years 2021 to 2025.
By the end of June 2026, 457 projects had been approved, with almost 1.3 billion korunas of support paid out. The NKÚ examined 13 recipients with support of almost 192 million korunas. Greenery made up less than five percent of the area of the supported spaces, in some cases less than one percent. According to the office, the Ministry for Regional Development did not set a minimum share of greenery and does not monitor the extent of newly created green areas. Recipients committed to creating less than a third of the originally expected retention capacity of 52,448 cubic metres.
Some towns bought benches, including installation, for about 11,000 korunas each, elsewhere the price exceeded 150,000 korunas, and solar benches cost over 200,000 korunas. According to its press release, the NKÚ does not consider it appropriate to finance such equipment from grants; municipalities should pay for it themselves. The risk of misuse of the money is, in the office's view, also increased by the rate of support, which in some cases reached up to 95 percent of expenditure, which the ministry described as an exception.
In response, the ministry said the shortcomings found do not directly concern the department and that it wants to use the NKÚ's recommendations in the next programming period. It wants to apply a limit on subsidised costs of street furniture from 2028. The NKÚ recommended that the ministry place greater emphasis on greenery and rainwater management when selecting projects.
Related articles: Supreme Audit Office
Chronology
- — The Supreme Audit Office published findings that subsidies for public spaces produced less green space, and noted that some public benches cost up to 200,000 crowns. ČTK / České noviny Echo24
Sources
- ČTK / České noviny — 19 October 2026
- Echo24 — 19 October 2026