Conditionality mechanisms and the green transition: the case of EU funding for Poland
February 6, 2023
The dispute over the rule of law between Poland’s government and the European Commission culminated in a recent announcement by EU officials to block funds for Poland. The country’s authorities must take the Commission’s reservations seriously and address them immediately. Meanwhile, they must start implementing investments planned in the cohesion policy programmes as soon as possible to better address the challenges posed by the climate and energy crises.
Open letter to the European Commission: environmental reforms and civil society engagement are key for Ukraine’s reconstruction and European accession
February 3, 2023
On 1 February, representatives of Ukrainian and international civil society organisations sent an open letter to Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission. In the letter, they call on the European Union to support civil society engagement and the incorporation of green principles into Ukraine’s reconstruction process, which will go hand in hand with the country’s EU accession.
EBRD investments in Ukrainian agro-giant MHP under investigation
February 2, 2023
After years of community complaints about the environmental and social damage caused by Ukrainian agro-giant Myronivsky Hliboprodukt (MHP), independent investigators are now looking into the role of international public finance in contributing to those harms. Considering the current food crisis, Ukraine’s important role in the global food supply chain and the prospect of more international investments to prop up Ukraine’s economy, it is time for financiers to learn the lessons of their past mistakes.
REPowerEU deal is a blow to a more climate-oriented energy policy in central and eastern Europe
December 22, 2022
Six months after the proposal was put forward, a deal was struck by EU negotiators on the financial leg of the REPoweREU plan, the EU’s strategy to cope with the energy crisis and phase Russian fuels out of the market. National governments will be invited to quickly add new chapters to their recovery plans, which is potentially good news and a chance to further invest in the energy transition. However, Member States must avoid falling into the trap of fossil fuels, which are making a comeback in the palette of investments eligible for EU funds.
Applying best practices from EU funds to the reconstruction of Ukraine
December 20, 2022
This briefing reviews lessons from EU funds such as cohesion policy funding and the Recovery and Resilience Facility for ensuring Ukraine’s reconstruction is financed in a way that ensures participation and green, sustainable outcomes.
Co z tymi funduszami z UE? FEnIKS jest kluczowy dla zielonej transformacji, ale trzeba go poprawić
December 15, 2022
Kulminacją sporu polskiego rządu z Komisją Europejską o praworządność stały się niedawne zapowiedzi unijnych urzędników o zablokowaniu …
Cum vor fi direcționate cele 1,39 miliarde euro suplimentare pentru România din pachetul RePowerEU/ Ministerul Energiei: Vor fi alocate pentru producția din surse regenerabile/Este luată în calcul și hidroenergia
December 9, 2022
Prin pachetul de finanțare RepowerEU România urmează să primească aproape SDi1,4 miliarde euro, fonduri nerambursabile, pentru a-și …
Assessment of Latvia’s operational programme
December 7, 2022
This briefing offers an analysis of Latvia’s draft operational programme for 2021-2027 and recommendations regarding the potential for increasing the programme’s climate and environmental contributions. This publication was updated on 15 December 2022
Romanian decision-makers try to misuse REPowerEU funds for illegal hydropower plants
November 30, 2022
This briefing describes how Romania’s Parliament and Government are again pushing to legalise illegal hydropower projects in protected areas using new opportunities for funding under the REPowerEU chapter of the EU recovery fund. It shows how a new dra
Romanian decision-makers attempt misuse of REPowerEU funds for illegal hydropower plants
November 30, 2022
Romania’s Government plans to use funds allocated under the REPowerEU package to build nine hydropower projects in protected natural areas, Bankwatch Romania has warned the European Commission today.
