Win win win – CEE public show how to inject quality into EU funded projects
March 7, 2013
Bankwatch’s competition devoted to showcasing ideas for EU funds investments that can generate sustainable development for European communities has proved to be a big success – and it should offer inspiration to EU and national level decision-makers as the task of setting operational programmes, the blueprints for how to spend the EUR 960 billion pot for the 2014-2020 budgetary period, now gets underway.
EBRD enters Kosovo: Past IFI failures must be heeded
March 7, 2013
Kosovo has just celebrated the fifth anniversary of independence. In these five years, Kosovo has achieved membership of certain international financial institutions (IFIs): having already joined the IMF and the World Bank, on December 17 last year Kosovo became the 66th member of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Yet what can Kosovo’s citizens expect from EBRD membership?
Kyrgyz parliament votes to renegotiate Kumtor gold mine contract
March 7, 2013
In a landmark ruling in late February, the Kyrgyz parliament voted to renegotiate a contract signed in 2009 with the Canadian mining firm Centerra Gold Inc. for the exploitation of the Kumtor gold mine, near the border with China. The 2009 deal is the most recent form of the contract between the Kyrgyz state and Centerra that has had a presence in the central Asian republic since the late nineties.
Commission lays down sustainable energy pointers to EIB
March 7, 2013
The public consultation on the EIB’s review of its energy policy is well underway now, with the bank’s intention being to have the new policy in place sometime this summer. While not part of the review process as such, following an official request for information Bankwatch has received comments submitted by the Directorate-General for Environment of the European Commission to the EIB as part of ongoing exchanges between the bank and the Commission.
Shell’s new shale gas frontier in Ukraine: another fossil fuel opening for EBRD?
March 7, 2013
The industry frenzy surrounding the development of shale gas in Europe is gathering pace, with the announcement in late January of a EUR 400 million deal between Shell and Ukraine to develop the country’s shale gas potential.
The EBRD isn’t working – job creation still not central to investments
March 7, 2013
Kurt Bayer, until recently Austria’s executive director at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, has for several years maintained an interesting blog covering issues such as the Eurozone crisis and development finance more generally. Following his departure from the EBRD, might we start seeing a few more revealing insights from Mr Bayer about life – and some of its frustrations – at 1 Exchange Square, London?
EBRD and EIB: Stop financing coal!
March 5, 2013
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) are public development banks, which should lend money only for environmentally sustainable projects. Yet in reality, while both banks are increasing their investments into energy efficiency and renewable energy, they are undermining this by financing coal and other fossil fuels. Since both banks are adopting new energy policies in 2013 now is the time to act.
EU budget 2014-2020: Better spending of taxpayer money. The Parliament can make a difference.
March 2, 2013
The key objective of the European Commission’s proposal on the Multi-annual Financial Framework was to get an EU budget that is more policy-driven, fit for the challenges of the 21st century and supporting a green transition in order to assist the implementation of the Europe 2020 Strategy. In contrast the European Council deal mainly focuses on vested national interests and net contributions, failing to agree on a forward looking budget able to tackle European challenges and consistent with EU environmental targets by 2020.
Funding sustainable development in European regions – Recommendations for the programming of EU funds in 10 CEE countries
February 28, 2013
This publication, prepared in close cooperation with national NGO coalitions and the support from external experts, aims to contribute to the elaboration of Partnership Agreements and Operational Programmes by proposing concrete measures to be financed, targets to be set, performance indicators to be applied and investment needs to be met – all with a focus on a policy that can foster sustainable development and catalyse the transformation to a low energy-consuming, renewable-based and resource efficient society. Download individual sections >>
Open letter: Civil Society alarmed by the prospect of regressive Common Agricultural Policy reform
February 28, 2013
276 organizations from all 27 EU Member States signed this letter to ask European Parliamentarians for a better reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.
