Blagoevgradska Bistritsa hydropower cascade (Bulgaria)
March 30, 2021
The Blagoevgradska Bistritsa hydropower cascade in Bulgaria consists of eight small hydropower plants installed on pipelines that supply the town of Blagoevgrad with drinking water. The plants were developed by the private company Blagoevgradska Bistri
Joint Statement Regarding the Establishment of an Independent Trade Union in Uzbekistan
March 26, 2021
On March 19, 2021, over 200 employees of Indorama Agro in the Syrdarya region of Uzbekistan held a meeting to establish the independent trade union, “Xalq Birligi” (People’s Unity), the first of its kind in the country. This initiative was a response t
The EU Recovery Funds: time to start properly investing in biodiversity and nature conservation
March 18, 2021
The state of nature is in crisis. A recent European Environmental Agency (EEA) report reveals that 81 per cent of habitats in Europe are in ‘poor condition’, and without swift action this dire situation will only become worse. We need systemic and wide
Jadar Lithium Mine, Serbia: A Raw Deal ICT metal mining case study
March 15, 2021
The Jadar River Valley in western Serbia has the potential to become home one of the world’s largest lithium mines, supplying 10% of the world’s demand and supporting the neighbouring EU’s digital transition agenda. The Serbian government, therefore, p
Joint CSO Submission on the Draft Revised Version of the EIB Transparency Policy
March 11, 2021
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is currently revising its transparency standards. Its proposal for a revised Transparency Policy (draft TP) is under public consultation until 12 March 2021. While we appreciate the EIB’s initiative to review its Tran
Why is the EIB still hiding one-third of its lending?
March 4, 2021
The EU’s house bank must keep up with its peers on disclosure of financial intermediary investments
Status of the Territorial Just Transition Plans in central and eastern Europe (3 March Update)
March 3, 2021
Territorial Just Transition Plans (TJTPs) are a precondition for European Union Member States to access the Just Transition Fund (JTF), worth EUR 17.5 billion. The documents must outline the expected transition process; the most affected territories an
Oyu Tolgoi Mine, Mongolia: A Raw Deal ICT metal mining case study
March 1, 2021
As Mongolia’s flagship mine project, Oyu Tolgoi is often advertised as a world-class, sustainable, safe and energy-efficient mining project, but in reality, it has been subject to controversy on multiple occasions due to corruption scandals, tax disput
Thermal depolymerisation study summary, Slovakia
February 22, 2021
As part of the just transition of the Upper Nitra region in Slovakia, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic for Investments and Informatisation has collected project concept notes since 2018. One of the projects, proposed by HU
Bankwatch’s request to the EBRD Board regarding Corridor Vc South Mostar Section
February 17, 2021
Request to the EBRD Board Members regarding EBRD Management response to Bankwatch report “Connecting or Dividing?” and postponement of the decision on Corridor Vc.