EU Reform and Growth Facility not yet speeding up energy transition in Western Balkans – new report
December 5, 2025
Two years after it was announced, the European Union’s Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans is struggling to deliver on its goals, according to a new analysis by CEE Bankwatch Network (1). The report reveals that a significant proportion of planned energy-related reforms are delayed and raises serious concerns about the suitability of performance-based models for the bulk of future EU funding in the region.
One Month Left: Urgent call for ambitious, inclusive, and socially just National Building Renovation Plans
November 28, 2025
Build Better Lives aims to ensure decent, affordable and energy efficient homes and buildings for all. It brings together nearly 100 social justice, housing, climate, and youth civil society organisations, in a pan-European, people-oriented campaign for a socially just built environment that lifts millions out of energy poverty.
Bankwatch’s position on the Global Europe instrument
November 21, 2025
The proposed Global Europe regulation’s objective is to uphold and promote the Union’s values, principles and interests worldwide. However, while human rights, democracy and rule of law are mentioned in the text, the regulation does not provide sufficient mechanisms to advance these principles.
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.
EU cohesion policy funding and the housing crisis: Leveraging building renovations for fair and affordable housing
September 30, 2025
EU-funded building renovations can do more than just reduce emissions.
Community Visioning: A guide to Co-creating Clean Energy Futures
September 25, 2025
This guide can support you in designing and running visioning workshops that fit your community. It also offers opportunities to reflect on the role visioning can play in your energy planning.
Prosumer paradox: How outdated grids undermine energy poverty efforts in central and eastern Europe
September 5, 2025
Outdated and underinvested grids in the Czech Republic, Poland and Romania are blocking households from fully benefiting from renewable energy programmes and exacerbating energy poverty. This briefing highlights shared challenges, from capacity constra
From solar roofs to shared power: Pioneering community energy in the Czech Republic
August 25, 2025
Community energy pioneers know that much hard work is needed before they can seamlessly share power between one another. In spite of all obstacles, they believe the project is worth it.
Why the EU budget needs a democratic reset – a Czech civil society perspective
July 25, 2025
As the European Union begins shaping its post-2027 budget – the next multiannual financial framework – the challenges ahead are significant. From accelerating climate change to geopolitical tensions and conflicts, the EU needs a budget that is both responsive and forward-looking. Yet, despite the far-reaching impact these decisions will have on millions of Europeans, the process by which they are made still falls short of being truly democratic.
The billion euro question – What has been achieved with the EU’s Western Balkans Energy Support Package?
July 22, 2025
In November 2022, the European Commission announced a EUR 1 billion Energy Support Package for the Western Balkans to mitigate the immediate effects of the energy crisis and accelerate the energy transition in the region.
