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Breaking down the ‘do no significant harm’ principle

Briefing | 7 April, 2022 | Download PDF

This briefing aims to explain the ‘do no significant harm’ principle and how it has been used in the Recovery and Resilience Facility. It also raises concerns over the long-term risks and implications of applying the ‘do no significant harm’ principle


Air pollution and associated health impacts in Novaci, North Macedonia

Report | 6 April, 2022 | Download PDF

For the last forty years, the municipality of Novaci has been home to North Macedonia’s REK Bitola complex, which consists of a 675 MW lignite power plant, open-cast mines and ash disposal sites. Its inhabitants have been breathing pollution emitted at


Fossil gas pipeline illustrating Press Release Activists call on EU to stop promoting fossil gas dependence in the Western Balkans

The EU must promote sustainable energy – not gas dependence – in the Western Balkans

Open letter | 5 April, 2022 | Download PDF

This joint letter to President von der Leyen by 36 civil society organisations working in the region therefore asks the European Commission to stop promoting fossil gas and instead to pay attention to much-needed but currently neglected initiatives on energy efficiency and sustainable forms of renewable energy.


Efficient district heating in CEE-countries

Briefing | 28 March, 2022 | Download PDF

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has revealed Europe’s dependency on fossil fuels. The European Commission recently presented a Communication called Repower EU with the aim to make Europe independent from Russian fossil fuels well before 2030, starting with fossil gas. Energy efficiency measures that bring energy savings, like switching from inefficient to more efficient district heating networks that are based on exclusively renewable energy, are part of the solution and can structurally help solve EU dependency from energy imports.


Flagships or red flags? Risks of proposed flagship infrastructure projects under the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans

Briefing | 24 March, 2022 | Download PDF

Under the European Commission’s October 2020 Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA) is set to provide grants worth EUR 9 billion, with up to EUR 20 billion more in investments leveraged through the Western Balkans Guarantee Facility. Western Balkan governments have proposed projects for financing in ten Flagship areas for investment. The list of these proposed projects contains many which appear reasonable and much-needed, but many others are not in line with EU policy and/or legislation and must not be funded with EU money. This briefing provides an overview of selected projects that have been nominated by governments but which are not in line with EU policy and/or legislation.