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 But transforming energy systems, especially in central and eastern Europe, requires substantial investment due to outdated infrastructure and reliance on fossil fuels.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
Stara Zagora: caught between its brown coal past and a bright green future
Blog entry | 30 March, 2023In February and March 2023, our environmental organisation Za Zemiata (Friends of the Earth – Bulgaria) organised several meetings in Stara Zagora and Galabovo in south-central Bulgaria dedicated to just energy transition and the development opportunities it offers the region. Our main aim was to involve local stakeholders whose voices have thus far been ignored. Participants included representatives of civil society, members of small and medium-sized enterprises and academics from Trakia University in Stara Zagora. Unfortunately, despite efforts to foster dialogue between business, civil society, academia and the institutions, the absence of the municipality, which was invited to attend the meetings, was notable.
Read moreKosovo becomes the first Western Balkan country to stop promoting new hydropower
Blog entry | 28 March, 2023After years of hydropower-related controversies, Kosovo’s long-awaited new Energy Strategy confirms that the government does not support new development in the sector, due to its environmental impacts. It also sends promising signals on carbon pricing and solar and wind development. Still, the country needs to avoid wasting money on coal and gas.
Read moreActivists call on EU to better protect nature from energy infrastructure in the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova
Press release | 14 March, 202360 civil society organisations have sent a joint letter to the EU Commissioner for Environment, Virginijus Sinkevičius, calling on the EU to better protect nature during energy infrastructure development under the Energy Community Treaty (1).
Read moreRelated publications
Social Climate Navigator
Booklet | 21 July, 2026 | Download PDFThe Social Climate Navigator is an interactive digital tool which clarifies 16 key concepts closely associated with the Social Climate Fund. The Navigator offers more than definitions – it visually illustrates how the social and climate aspects of each concept are interconnected, demonstrating why they cannot be treated in isolation and why both are fundamental to achieving a just and effective green transition.
Empowering vulnerable communities: Practical climate solutions from central and eastern Europe
Booklet | 16 July, 2026 | Download PDFThis publication explores practical, scalable investments that support both decarbonisation and vulnerable communities across central and eastern Europe.
RePower the Regions: Ambitious and inclusive clean energy plans for repowering the just transition regions
Toolkit | 30 June, 2026 | Download PDFThis interactive digital toolkit presents a collection of experiences, lessons and success stories of LIFE project RePower the Regions which was conducted for nearly three years across 16 carbon‑intensive regions working with local communities to support fair and effective clean energy transitions.
