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
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.
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Shuakhevi hydropower plant, Georgia
Entrusted with leading Georgia towards energy independence, the Shuakhevi plant has achieved anything but. Long after its completion in June 2017, it is as far as it could be from fulfilling its promise for energy security. Instead, it managed to collect an impressive ‘portfolio’ of problems in a wide range of areas: from biodiversity, to gender impacts, to community relations.
Read morePublications
Results of air pollution independent monitoring call for immediate action in Balkan countries
Briefing | 26 November, 2018 | Download PDFIndependent particulate matter monitoring implemented by CEE Bankwatch Network and partner organisations from the region between October 2016 and April 2017 in six different coal-heavy locations in the Balkans just scratched the surface of the impact t
Just transition in Bulgaria – mission possible for Maritsa Iztok energy complex?
Briefing | 23 November, 2018 | Download PDFReflecting the European trend for phasing out highly polluting fuels like coal, this preliminary analysis outlines options for a just energy transition in the broad region surrounding the heart of Bulgarian coal energy – Maritsa Iztok energy complex in
Comments on the EBRD Draft Energy Sector Strategy
Policy comments | 16 November, 2018 | Download PDFOn 8 October the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Special Report “Global Warming of 1.5oC”. The report warned that at the current level of climate commitments the world is on course for a disastrous 3 degrees Celsius of
Western Balkans power sector future scenarios and the EBRD
Briefing | 16 November, 2018 | Download PDFThe Western Balkans, as a region that represents both a post-Socialist economy and EU accession region, can benefit greatly from up-to-date insights by the EBRD on how to move its energy transition forward more rapidly. Its decision-makers have not yet
EBRD renewable investments finally matched its fossil fuel investments in 2017 – So why is the bank’s draft Energy Strategy still fixated with gas?
Briefing | 15 October, 2018 | Download PDFThe European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has recently issued a new draft Energy Strategy for public consultation that will define its activities in the energy sector from 2019-2023. It clearly commits to halt all direct financing for coal p
