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Bulgaria’s opportunity to address energy and transport poverty: The Social Climate Fund challenge

4 June, 2025

The European Union’s Social Climate Fund presents Bulgaria – one of the EU’s poorest Member States – with a significant opportunity to tackle energy and transport poverty. Under this funding instrument, the country has been allocated a total of EUR 2.5 billion for the 2026–2032 period. However, concerns are mounting that weak planning, institutional resistance to reform, and a lack of transparency could prevent this funding from reaching the people who need it most.

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Joint NGO statement: New EU budget must ensure dedicated funds for environmental protection and just transition in the Western Balkans

28 May, 2025

68 civil society organisations have today issued a joint statement calling on the EU to ensure dedicated funds for environmental protection and just transition of coal-dependent regions in the Western Balkans in the post-2027 EU budget.

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Concerns raised over new coal mining project in light of North Macedonia’s decarbonisation goals

27 May, 2025

CEE Bankwatch Network and Eko-svest have recently raised serious concerns regarding a proposed coal mining project in North Macedonia. The plan to open a new lignite mine in the Pelagonija region comes as a surprise, as the region is already affected by three other operating mines and the project contradicts the country’s coal phase-out commitments.

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Landmark moment for Berlin’s heating transition: BTB bids farewell to coal

26 May, 2025

On 20 March 2025, Berlin marked a major milestone in its energy transition. Blockheizkraftwerks- Träger- und Betreibergesellschaft mbH (BTB) – one of the city’s district heating suppliers – officially burned coal for the last time at its Schöneweide district heating plant. This decisive step paves the way for a cleaner, smarter, and more collaborative energy future for the German capital – and beyond.

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Latvia’s cohesion policy at a crossroads: Balancing security priorities and green investments

14 May, 2025

Latvia is rethinking how it allocates its EU cohesion policy funds, as growing security concerns linked to the regional geopolitical climate put pressure on previously agreed green investment priorities. But will this shift towards national defence undermine the country’s long-term environmental and climate goals?

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