Podlaskie. 247 mln euro na ekologię i odnawialne źródła energii
November 15, 2015
Ponad 247 mln euro z funduszy unijnych trafi w województwie podlaskim w latach 2015-2020 na szeroko rozumiane kwestie ekologiczne. – Pod względem wsparcia dla energetyki odnawialnej zapisy podlaskiego Regionalnego Programu Operacyjnego mogłyby być wzorem dla innych województw – mówi Julia Krzyszkowska, ekspertka ds. funduszy europejskich CEE Bankwatch Network i Polskiej Zielonej Sieci.
EU funds continue to do their bit for the promotion of sustainable living in Hungary
August 8, 2014
Whether at the global level with the United Nations Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production, the European level with the Environment Action Programme to 2020, or at the national level, a great deal of effort is being made to promote, develop and expand sustainable lifestyles and production. Such efforts should be tailor-made for receiving financial support from the EU funds.
Czech energy efficiency – an open goal demanding more EU funds ambition
August 8, 2014
The Czech government’s plan to phase out part of its lignite-fired power plant fleet by 2025 has hit the news recently with total annual power output from this climate-damaging source set to drop from 40 TWh in 2015 to 18 TWh by 2035. However the increased electricity consumption projected in the very same planning scenarios, that over time will eliminate the country’s current high energy export share and shift it instead onto an import dependency path, places an unfortunate question mark over just how serious the Czech Republic is about its transition to becoming an energy efficient, low-carbon economy.
How many white elephant projects can you fit into EU funds programming?
August 8, 2014
Some Czech projects proposed for EU funding are already sticking out as ‘white elephant’ investments. As the final spending decisions for 2014-2020 shape up, Bankwatch will be keeping a close eye on the likely stampede of similar project concepts all across central and eastern Europe.
Polish region an unexpected champion of green energy citizen projects
July 21, 2014
As EU Member States continue to negotiate with the European Commission their spending plans for the next Cohesion Policy funds for 2014-2020, the Polish region of Podlaskie in the northeast proves an unexpected champion for the green energy citizen’s revolution in Poland.
EU funds draft spending plans reveal flaws in environmental mainstreaming in central and eastern Europe
June 2, 2014
While the EU regulations for the Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 themselves contain many important provisions on integrating environmental protection and fostering sustainable development, the draft Partnership Agreements and Operational Programmes presented by national governments do not fully exploit the potential to build a green, sustainable economy with the help of the EU budget. CEE Bankwatch Network and Friends of the Earth campaigners across the central and eastern Europe region have reviewed the draft documents, detecting a number of problematic issues – both regarding the funding priorities and the process of EU funds programming itself.
Trains, planes and citizens’ mobility – Axeing of Polish airport plan brings calls for improved train connections via EU funds
January 22, 2014
As countries around Europe strive in the first weeks of the year to conclude spending plans that will guide how they deploy billions of EU funds for the 2014-2020 budgetary period, last week saw a welcome move in Poland with the shelving of a controversial airport proposal that had been in line for EU support.
Letter: NGOs call on Director Generals of DG Regio, Clima and Environment to turn around EU funds programming at half time
December 11, 2013
At the present stage, the Partnership Agreements and the Operational Programmes for the next Cohesion Policy period (2014-2020) are not proving to be sufficient for effectively catalysing the EU’s transition towards resource efficient, renewable energy based economies. In this letter to the Director Generals for Regional Policy, Environment and Climate Change, European environmental NGOs raise their worries over the Programming of EU Funds in EU Member States. The main concern is that environmental priorities are not being properly addressed.
Get your EU funds house in order – Hungarian group takes climate and jobs appeal direct to government’s doorstep
December 6, 2013
With only a few weeks to go now until final crucial decisions are taken that will determine Hungary’s EU spending plans for the next seven years, Bankwatch’s Hungarian member group MTVSZ decided last week that it was about time the Hungarian government got its house in order when it comes to beneficial EU allocations for cutting domestic energy bills, stimulating the Hungarian economy and fighting climate change.
Funny business as usual in the Czech Republic – one of the biggest fines in EU funds history handed out to Prague metro project
November 13, 2013
The manipulation of a tender for a metro line extension in Prague – financially supported via EU funds and the European Investment Bank (EIB) has not only resulted in a huge EU funds fine, but also raises questions about the EIB’s ability to identify and avoid mismanagement in the infrastructure projects it finances.
