The ‘do no significant harm’ principle revisited – lessons from Poland for the next EU budget
December 16, 2025
The ‘do no significant harm’ (DNSH) principle is supposed to prevent EU funds from being invested in projects that harm the environment and undermine climate action. Though the principle is meant to increase awareness of the importance of environmental aspects in EU-funded projects, weak and incoherent implementation has hampered its effectiveness across the EU. Lessons learnt in Poland, the largest beneficiary of EU funds, can help improve the application of the ‘do no significant harm’ principle in the next EU long-term budget.
Ukraine Facility’s next chapter: From patchwork to principles
December 9, 2025
As the EU looks ahead to rebuilding and integrating Ukraine, the design of its support instruments under the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034) will shape not only reconstruction on the ground, but also the credibility and long-term sustainability of EU policies.
Biodiversity loses out in Hungary’s recovery and resilience plan
December 8, 2025
Despite EU commitments to halt biodiversity loss, Hungary’s recovery and resilience plan has diverted funding from wetland restoration, highlighting structural flaws in the EU’s green-funding allocations.
Sofia’s burned lesson: Why the Western Balkans must ditch waste incineration
November 25, 2025
While Western Balkan governments scramble to solve their energy and waste crises by turning to incineration, a clear lesson is emerging from the EU: burning waste is a dead end.
Engaging the public in nature restoration: Estonia’s citizen-science approach blazes a trail
November 21, 2025
A new citizen-science trail at Estonia’s restored Kõrsa bog shows how involving communities directly can transform nature restoration into an accessible, collaborative and trusted process.
Ukraine’s Single Project Pipeline: The challenges of reforming public investment management
November 12, 2025
This briefing explores how Ukraine’s new Single Project Pipeline is reshaping public investment management.
Cutting off the branch we’re sitting on: Urgent course correction needed on EU biodiversity financing to secure the EU’s natural resilience
October 31, 2025
Halfway through the implementation period of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, evidence is mounting that the EU and its Member States are not on track to fulfil their commitments.
Race to the top: Reform and investment proposals for the Social Climate Plans
October 31, 2025
EU Member States are now finalising their national social climate plans in order to access the EUR 86.7 billion Social Climate Fund from 1 January 2026.
EIB-funded urban public transport projects in Ukraine: Lessons from Ternopil and Lutsk
October 30, 2025
In recent years, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has provided significant financial support aimed at modernising Ukraine’s urban transport systems. However, implementation challenges and major delays have stalled progress. Read the short version EIB
Six Member States looking to expand gas, waste and nuclear energy with billions from EU climate fund
October 6, 2025
Intended to drive the energy transition in the EU’s lower-income Member States, the Modernisation Fund has been doling out billions to fossil gas and other harmful energy infrastructure.
