Democratising Cohesion Policy – Slovakia not ready to put EU funds spending in citizens’ hands
July 10, 2013
With today’s approval of the watered down proposals to reform EU Structural Funds in the European Parliament’s committee for regional development (see our press release), EU decision makers have taken a step away from ambitious environmental spending in the future Cohesion Policy. At the same time also national level allocation of the 2014-2020 funds is starting to take shape. But efforts to get the funds working sustainably for, and on behalf of, needy local communities are being thwarted in Slovakia – for a range of all too familiar reasons.
These EU citizens have better ideas for EU funds
February 22, 2013
Our competition for ideas for EU funds investments that benefit the sustainable development of European communities could offer inspiration for EU and national decision makers. At the final award ceremony in Brussels, the winners told us about their ideas and how EU funding could benefit their countries.
Video: Notes for a better Europe
October 17, 2012
European spending is often considered unnecessary, beaurocratic, and even damaging. We’re the last ones to deny that in Bankwatch. Yet, we are convinced that EU spending – if it is done right – can truly serve the public interest by creating jobs, reducing energy bills, minimizing air pollution, etc. Our new video highlights how some European projects are showing the way to a greener Europe and a better world.
The EBRD should listen (better) to civil society in Arab Spring countries
May 22, 2012
In preparation to its extended lending to Arab Spring countries, the EBRD is conducting consultations with civil society. Yet the bank doesn’t seem to make an appropriate effort.
Rushing into gold can leave people behind, EBRD
January 25, 2012
A look at mining projects in Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia reveal a need to carefully revise the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s involvement in the exploitation of natural resources.
There you have it: Green investments do create jobs
November 18, 2011
A study from the Czech Republic vividly confirms the positive economic impact of public support schemes for energy efficiency investments. The future Cohesion Policy can offer valuable stimuli for such schemes – if EU Member States set the right priorities now.
Five ways to bring Cohesion Policy closer to citizens
November 17, 2011
By allowing open and inclusive consultations on the future Cohesion Policy, Latvia is not only devising its national position in a more democratic way than other EU Member States. It is also setting an example for actually getting people interested in it.
The people’s perspective please: are public social safety nets important?
November 16, 2011
Yesterday, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) published its Transition Report for 2011, subtitled “The People’s Perspective”. This is because the study pays unprecedented attention to how regular households in post-socialist countries are managing after almost three years of economic crisis.
The day renewable energy was killed in the Czech Republic
November 14, 2011
The Czech renewable energy industry last week received a strong blow from our very own Parliament which approved measures that will likely smother the sector in a bill ironically entitled the „Renewable energy sources support bill.”
A historic event, the European Investment Bank opens its doors (a bit)
October 12, 2011
Ahead of a meeting next week that offers a unique chance for discussion with the EIB’s Board of Directors, Bankwatch’s EIB team leader Anna Roggenbuck gives an overview over some of the issues to which she’d like to hear some comments by the bank’s enigmatic leadership.
