Can the EU’s Social Climate Fund reach vulnerable households in Estonia?
March 5, 2026
As Estonia prepares for the EU’s next long-term budget and financial instruments, it is equally important to assess how these new support measures are designed and reviewed. In collaboration with national authorities, we at the Estonian Green Movement are actively seeking solutions to ensure that support effectively reaches vulnerable households. To assist in this process, the Centre of Applied Social Sciences at the University of Tartu has developed a data-driven model that gives these households a fairer chance of accessing support.
Legal, technical and financial challenges facing energy communities in central and eastern Europe
December 29, 2025
This briefing identifies the legal, technical and financial barriers facing energy communities in five EU Member States.
Hungary’s energy transition at risk due to missed EU milestones
December 29, 2025
Hungary is moving to scale back its national recovery and resilience plan, reflecting the government’s struggles to complete the reforms and investments required by the European Commission under the Recovery and Resilience Facility by the end of August 2026.
The ‘do no significant harm’ principle revisited – lessons from Poland for the next EU budget
December 16, 2025
The ‘do no significant harm’ (DNSH) principle is supposed to prevent EU funds from being invested in projects that harm the environment and undermine climate action. Though the principle is meant to increase awareness of the importance of environmental aspects in EU-funded projects, weak and incoherent implementation has hampered its effectiveness across the EU. Lessons learnt in Poland, the largest beneficiary of EU funds, can help improve the application of the ‘do no significant harm’ principle in the next EU long-term budget.
Bankwatch’s position on the EU’s 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework proposal
December 12, 2025
Our position paper analyses the European Commission’s proposal for the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework, highlighting how it falls short of addressing Europe’s urgent investment needs.
Race to the top: Reform and investment proposals for the Social Climate Plans
October 31, 2025
EU Member States are now finalising their national social climate plans in order to access the EUR 86.7 billion Social Climate Fund from 1 January 2026.
EU cohesion policy funding and the housing crisis: Leveraging building renovations for fair and affordable housing
September 30, 2025
EU-funded building renovations can do more than just reduce emissions.
Prosumer paradox: How outdated grids undermine energy poverty efforts in central and eastern Europe
September 5, 2025
Outdated and underinvested grids in the Czech Republic, Poland and Romania are blocking households from fully benefiting from renewable energy programmes and exacerbating energy poverty. This briefing highlights shared challenges, from capacity constra
From solar roofs to shared power: Pioneering community energy in the Czech Republic
August 25, 2025
Community energy pioneers know that much hard work is needed before they can seamlessly share power between one another. In spite of all obstacles, they believe the project is worth it.
Why the EU budget needs a democratic reset – a Czech civil society perspective
July 25, 2025
As the European Union begins shaping its post-2027 budget – the next multiannual financial framework – the challenges ahead are significant. From accelerating climate change to geopolitical tensions and conflicts, the EU needs a budget that is both responsive and forward-looking. Yet, despite the far-reaching impact these decisions will have on millions of Europeans, the process by which they are made still falls short of being truly democratic.
