Europe has ambitions to become the first climate–neutral continent. But transforming energy systems, especially in central and eastern Europe, requires substantial investment due to outdated infrastructure and reliance on fossil fuels.
While the EU budget currently funds this transition, the key challenge is to ensure impactful, high-quality investments that are both environmentally and socially just.
Involving citizens in investment decisions leads to better outcomes, including greater acceptance, a stronger sense of ownership, and fewer harmful projects.
Bankwatch works to align EU financial flows with the European Green Deal objectives, ensuring they meet the needs of people and the planet.
IN FOCUS
Just transition
Countries across central and eastern Europe are committing to quit coal and shale oil. Now the task is to ensure that the just transition is driven from the bottom up and leaves no one behind as we move towards a sustainable energy future.
Building back biodiversity
Threats facing biodiversity are increasing alongside the drivers of the climate crisis. But investments in climate protection should not come at the expense of those that can help biodiversity. The two crises of climate and biodiversity are interconnected and both must be tackled together, because only by investing in nature can we tackle climate change.
RegENERate: Mobilising Regions for Energetic Re-development and Transformative NECPs
The overall objective of the project is to support the CEE countries’ contribution to the EU efforts towards a net-zero emissions future. The project will contribute to more ambitious and effective climate and energy policies in CEE, backed by a long-term commitment to phase out fossil fuels, improve energy efficiency and promote renewable energy.
RePower the Regions: Ambitious and inclusive clean energy plans for repowering the just transition regions
The participation and leadership of carbon-intensive regions in transitioning to clean energy solutions are prerequisites for achieving EU climate neutrality by 2050. Building on this premise, RePower the Regions aims to ensure that the regions’ clean energy plans are aligned with EU 2030 climate goals and have strong support locally, and to provide practical guidelines and roadmaps on how to repower the regions.
Latest news
Community energy gathers momentum in Estonia
Blog entry | 15 April, 2026Community 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.
Read moreCan the EU’s Social Climate Fund reach vulnerable households in Estonia?
Blog entry | 5 March, 2026As Estonia prepares for the EU’s next long-term budget and financial instruments, it is equally important to assess how these new support measures are designed and reviewed. In collaboration with national authorities, we at the Estonian Green Movement are actively seeking solutions to ensure that support effectively reaches vulnerable households. To assist in this process, the Centre of Applied Social Sciences at the University of Tartu has developed a data-driven model that gives these households a fairer chance of accessing support.
Read moreHungary’s energy transition at risk due to missed EU milestones
Blog entry | 29 December, 2025Hungary is moving to scale back its national recovery and resilience plan, reflecting the government’s struggles to complete the reforms and investments required by the European Commission under the Recovery and Resilience Facility by the end of August 2026.
Read moreRelated publications
Joint civil society letter to the President of the European Commission on the LIFE funding
Open letter | 5 December, 2024 | Download PDFThis open letter, addressed to European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, highlights the role of civil society in strengthening democracy, ensuring public participation and amplifying the voices of citizens in decision-making processes.
Green Solidarity: Guiding principles for a truly just Social Climate Fund
Briefing | 6 November, 2024 | Download PDFThe Social Climate Fund (SCF) was established by the EU to help alleviate the negative social and economic impacts of the new Emissions Trading System (ETS2), which introduces a carbon price on transport and heating.
Vital conditions to support businesses towards a stronger, fairer and more sustainable economy
Joint statement | 6 November, 2024 | Download PDFThis document brings insight in to how public finance can foster green manufacturing, support innovative start-ups, and facilitate the transformation of industry and its supply chain.
