From cost to value: How EU funds can boost biowaste circularity in central and eastern Europe from 2027
November 11, 2025
Biowaste, the largest component of municipal waste, is the second-biggest source of methane – a gas 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over 20 years.
EIB urban transport projects in Ukraine: Lessons from Ternopil and Lutsk
October 17, 2025
In recent years, the EIB has provided significant financial support aimed at modernising Ukraine’s urban transport systems. However, implementation challenges and major delays have stalled progress.
Bishkek residents seek mediation to restore trolleybus service
August 19, 2025
Residents of Bishkek have asked the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)’s Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM) to facilitate dialogue with urban authorities over concerns about the city’s trolleybus services.
Rethinking urban mobility: Why green vehicles are no fix for broken transport systems
May 26, 2025
The EBRD’s new Infrastructure Sector Strategy represents a significant step towards sustainable urban transport investments. However, it remains to be seen whether the implementation of the strategy will strike the much-needed balance between infrastructure investments and policy actions.
Waste management and the circular economy in central and eastern Europe: An analysis of EU cohesion policy funding
March 10, 2025
This report assesses the impact of cohesion policy funding on the capacity and progress of selected central and eastern European countries in building efficient waste management systems, an essential component of the EU’s new Circular Economy Action Plan.
Western Balkan cities: Pressure with no release
October 24, 2024
Using case studies from Belgrade, Sarajevo and Skopje, our report examines urban planning practices, the consequences of poor governance, and the need for sustainable infrastructure investment.
A flawed rollout: How the EBRD’s efforts to tackle harassment on Tbilisi public transport have fallen short
October 11, 2024
In an effort to tackle gender-based violence and harassment across Tbilisi’s public transport network, the EBRD has provided financial and technical support to Tbilisi Transport Company – the operator responsible for managing public transport services in the city – to help them set up a tracking system to address incidents on the city’s metro and bus routes.
CEE Bankwatch Network comments on the draft of the EBRD Infrastructure Sector Strategy
August 14, 2024
The EBRD’s draft strategy, published in the summer of 2024, shows improvements particularly in terms of good governance, inclusion, safety, affordability, accessibility of municipal and transport infrastructure and services. In our new comments, we argue that more needs to be done to decarbonise and promote circular economy principles and sustainable waste management.
Forum Discusses New Yerevan Master Plan: Residents Lack Adequate Greenspace
August 1, 2024
Yerevan residents seeking a patch of greenspace for a bit of respite from the urban clamor, especially during the dog days of summer, probably won’t be surprised to learn that such areas in the city are way less than accepted international standards.
The last trolleybus of Bishkek: mayor’s decision defies logic and undermines foreign investments in green transport
July 19, 2024
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) need to investigate the impact of their public transport projects in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan as the city’s urban mobility system gets a complete overhaul without transparency or public participation.
