From a grassroots to the international level …
We investigate the impacts of public finance, work with affected communities and local organisations across the world and help them protect their rights and livelihoods. We make sure their stories are being told in Europe’s power centers.
We regularly meet representatives of the institutions we monitor and we’re in Brussels, too, doing our bit to make Europe a fairer, cleaner and sustainable place.
Alternative news
We expose the risks of international public finance and bring critical updates from the ground.
We believe that the billions of public money should work for people and the environment.
FOCUS AREAS
INSTITUTIONS WE MONITOR
OUR PROJECTS
EBRD / EIB energy policy review
The European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development are both reviewing their energy sector lending policies. This is an opportunity to live up to their potential by combating climate change and promoting a sustainable future for all.
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Destructive hydropower in southeast Europe
International commercial and public banks have been bankrolling a wave of hydropower projects across Southeast Europe that have damaged pristine rivers, including in protected areas. These financiers need to take their share of the responsibility and stop financing projects in sensitive areas.
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Buk Bijela dam and the Upper Drina cascade
Backed by a state-owned energy company, Buk Bijela has the necessary support and privileges to to be pushed forward in violation of the national legislation and international conventions.
Read morePublications
Joint NGO proposals on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans
Joint Letter | 3 April, 2020 | Download PDFThe Western Balkans has the necessary resources not only for sustainable renewable energy and energy savings, but also for the production of healthy food, while nurturing its exceptional biodiversity. With only 18 million inhabitants, change in the region should not be as daunting a task as in larger economies, if carried out efficiently, with true political commitment and regional cooperation.
Gone with the Flow, A case study of biodiversity loss caused by Ilovac Hydropower plant, Croatia
Case Study | 2 April, 2020 | Download PDFThis case study aims to demonstrate that the EIB’s environmental and social (E&S) and transparency policies are insufficiently equipped to prevent the negative impacts of hydropower plants on sensitive ecosystems, in particular when the hydropower project (1) is financed via an intermediary bank and/or (2) is located outside of the EU.
Alarming levels of air pollution in settlements in coal regions are choking Central and Eastern Europe
Briefing | 4 March, 2020 | Download PDFBankwatch’s ongoing air pollution campaign added six more locations to its independent particulate matter monitoring to provide on-the-ground data from these major polluting locations.
Financing the low carbon transition in Romania
Study | 21 February, 2020 | Download PDFRomania is the country in the South East European and Central East European with the best enabling conditions for the energy transition. Yet it continues to be one of the lignite intensive countries in the EU. Read our report to explore why on the European scale, Romanians still pay more than their European counterparts for the costs of this carbon intensive energy system.
Romania’s coal phase-out by 2030: an unreachable goal?
Briefing | 14 February, 2020 | Download PDFNational Energy and Climate Plan is a fundamental document that will define Romania’s ambitions in the field for the next decade. The recently published NECP is unambitious and it ignores Romania’s enormous potential for green economy transition and the European Green Deal.
