The EU’s proposed Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans
March 7, 2024
This briefing provides key recommendations to define clearer and narrower goals for the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans, focusing on social and/or environmental goals.
Reform and growth, or spray and pray?
March 7, 2024
The European Commission’s proposed Western Balkans Reform and Growth Facility lacks clear goals, focus, public participation, and EU oversight. So the European Parliament now has its work cut out to whip it into shape before the Facility is set up later this year.
Bar’s battle: Montenegrin town rising against LNG project
March 5, 2024
Plans to build a fossil gas import terminal on Montenegro’s coast, with backing from the European Commission, endanger the country’s fossil fuel phaseout. Growing local opposition to the project also underlines poor public participation in the process.
Environmental groups urge European Commission to speed up nature safeguards in the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova
February 23, 2024
The EU must accelerate plans to strengthen nature protection rules for energy infrastructure development under the Energy Community Treaty (1), 36 civil society organisations today urged the EU Commissioner for Environment, Virginijus Sinkevičius, in a joint letter.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Corridor Vc motorway south of Mostar needs rerouting to meet EBRD and EU standards
February 16, 2024
A European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) compliance review has vindicated Mostar complainants affected by the Corridor Vc in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Now the Federation of BIH government, with support from the EU and European public banks, must ensure effective remedy.
North Macedonia must ditch its unrealistic gas plans and cut to a clean energy future
February 15, 2024
This briefing explains why the international community must not be complicit in creating stranded assets or increased gas lock-in in North Macedonia.
‘It’s like installing a fixed-line telephone’ Why is North Macedonia planning an oversized gas pipeline without any public debate?
February 14, 2024
As the EU reduces its gas consumption, North Macedonia is planning the opposite. Why is it building a large new import pipeline, why has it failed to consult the public, and why are EU banks supporting it?
Can the EBRD deliver effective sustainable infrastructure in the transport and municipal sectors?
February 1, 2024
This briefing makes recommendations aimed at contributing to the preparation of the EBRD’s new Sustainable Infrastructure Strategy.
The Western Balkans residential Green Economy Financing Facility: Results so far and recommendations for further action
January 31, 2024
This briefing assesses the effectiveness of the energy efficiency credit lines for households financed through the Green Economy Financing Facility, in terms of environmental sustainability and attractiveness for users in all six Western Balkan countries.
Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition for Western Balkans and Ukraine: where we are and how to move forward
January 22, 2024
The Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition for Western Balkans and Ukraine platform builds on the experiences of the EU Initiative for coal regions in transition since 2017, with both initiatives contributing to implementing the European Green Deal.
