Towards a just transition in the national and regional partnership plans: Recommendations on regional chapters
June 12, 2026
In the context of Europe reshaping its cohesion policy, this briefing explains why regional chapters in the post‑2028 funding framework must be mandatory, properly financed, and built on credible just transition plans. Without guaranteed regional ownership, targeted support, and strong technical capacity, the shift to a climate‑neutral economy risks deepening territorial divides, sidelining carbon‑intensive and peripheral regions, and slowing Europe’s competitiveness at a moment when no region can afford to fall behind.
When citizens speak: Lessons on energy poverty from the Romanian town of Petroșani
June 3, 2026
As temperatures rise over the summer months, conversations about heating homes may seem distant for many. Yet for many residents of Petroșani – a former coal-mining town in Romania’s Jiu Valley – the challenge of keeping homes warm is a recurring reality that returns every winter, shaped by ageing buildings, low incomes and limited access to support.
Mixed signals from the European Commission: Undermining housing affordability and the energy transition in central and eastern Europe
May 29, 2026
This briefing highlights the potential impacts of two recent EU policy developments and also presents several successful examples from central and eastern Europe.
Slovakia’s billion-euro opportunity: Redirecting climate revenues and fossil-fuel subsidies to tackle energy poverty
May 20, 2026
The rising prices of oil, gas, fertilisers and other commodities pose significant challenges to central and eastern European economies dependent on fossil fuels.
Joint civil society reaction to the European Parliament report on the national and regional partnership plans
May 13, 2026
While the proposed framework aims to simplify EU funding, its strong focus on consolidation, flexibility and centralised planning risks undermining core EU principles, including partnership, transparency, cohesion and environmental integrity.
Power to the people: How distribution grid improvements can speed up energy transformation in the Western Balkans
April 23, 2026
The key to long-term sustainability of the energy transition is a decentralised electricity generation system where everyone can be an active participant and share the benefits. For this to happen, the distribution grids that connect end consumers to the system need to be bidirectional, stable, modern and smart.
Who gets a seat at the table? Assessing public participation in the development of national and regional partnership plans in 17 EU Member States
April 17, 2026
This joint briefing prepared by 25 organisations offers traffic-light assessment of consultation practices in 17 Member States using criteria such as permanent dialogue forums, early and inclusive consultations, integration of feedback, stakeholder diversity, and transparency.
Call for an EU-wide windfall profit mechanism in response to the energy crisis
April 17, 2026
We have joined 30 European non-governmental organisations in calling on the EU to tax excess oil profits to support Europeans during the energy crisis. The group represents more than 40 million citizens across more than 2,000 member organisations, all
Community energy gathers momentum in Estonia
April 15, 2026
Community energy has emerged as a quiet undercurrent in Estonia, but has yet to firmly establish itself in the broader energy debate. Still, a number of pioneering communities across the country have already taken control of their energy production and consumption. Aiming to replace fossil fuels with cleaner and more affordable alternatives, they have adopted practical solutions that combine local needs, renewable energy and cooperative collaboration.
To be or not to be continued? Analysis of the Just Transition Fund implementation across six EU countries
April 15, 2026
Despite implementation challenges, the Just Transition Fund has delivered impacts that go beyond infrastructure and economic restructuring, supporting governance capacity, strategic thinking, and greater societal acceptance of change. This report, therefore, seeks to explain why continued and targeted support for regions in transition remains essential.
