Landmark moment for Berlin’s heating transition: BTB bids farewell to coal
May 26, 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.
CEE Bankwatch Network submissions to the 2nd PCI/PMI list consultation
May 16, 2025
The European Commission published the 2nd PCI/PMI candidate list of hydrogen infrastructure projects in November 2024. The public consultations were carried out from February to April in 2025, with the list of confirmed projects expected in November 2025. We reviewed 12 candidate PCI hydrogen infrastructure projects across 6 countries in central and eastern Europe: Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania.
Latvia’s cohesion policy at a crossroads: Balancing security priorities and green investments
May 14, 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?
Encouraging local input: Łódzkie voivodeship takes a more inclusive approach to just transition planning
May 13, 2025
Non-governmental organisations in Poland’s post-coal regions face several unique challenges. The specific socio-economic conditions prevalent in these areas often impede the growth of a fully professionalised and well-organised environment that allows civil society to thrive. Yet, despite these challenges, signs of progressive change are emerging.
On the Mid-Term Review Proposal for Amendments in the ERDF, CF and JTF regulations
May 9, 2025
This letter includes comments on the changes in the European Regional Development Fund, Cohesion Fund and Just Transition Fund regulations related to the mid-term review
Letter to EC President Von der Leyen calling to uphold climate, nature and public health priorities in the next EU budget
May 8, 2025
Letter to EC President Von der Leyen calling to uphold climate, nature and public health priorities in the next EU budget.
Keeping the flame alive with emission revenues: How the EU Modernisation Fund props up fossil gas and waste incineration
May 8, 2025
In operation since 2021, the Modernisation Fund was designed to channel EU emission trading revenues into investments in the energy transition in 13 lower-income Member States.
Shaping a European budget fit for climate action and a just transition
May 6, 2025
This policy brief explores five key elements for an EU budget that promotes sustainability, social cohesion and transparent governance.
Proposals for the next EU budget
April 24, 2025
Our current crises stem from the environmental and social injustices of past decades. It is therefore essential that we learn from current EU budget instruments to create a coherent, strategic, enforceable and accessible framework for the next EU budget.
Unprecedented Attacks on NGOs in the EU – We Call on All Democratic Forces To Act for a Strong and Independent Civil Society
April 7, 2025
At a time when democratic values are being eroded across the EU and Member States, and civic actors acting for these values are increasingly under attack, this renewed offensive on funding for CSOs and on our legitimacy in the democratic process risks not only shrinking European civic spaces further but weakening democracy as a whole.
