CEE Bankwatch Network

Legal, technical and financial challenges facing energy communities in central and eastern Europe - Bankwatch This briefing identifies the legal, technical and financial barriers facing energy communities in five EU Member States.

⚡ ☘️ Energy communities are an increasingly important grassroots component of Europe’s clean energy transition. Beyond their role in decarbonisation and social inclusion, they’re also vital for strengthening local resilience and energy security.
💡 Read the full briefing: bankwatch.org/publication/...

🎤Tomorrow, @nadiacalvino.eib.org – President of @eib.org – presents the EIB Group’s annual results. One issue must not be dodged: the lack of progress on gender equality & inclusion. Despite all its promises, the EIB has still not updated its 2016 gender strategy.

👉 bankwatch.org/blog/ringing...

3/ ❓ Do you agree? What do you think are the top priorities for energy efficiency in the Western Balkans?

Priority measures for energy efficiency in buildings: Discussion paper on energy poverty, energy sufficiency and deep renovation in the Western Balkans - Bankwatch In the Western Balkans, buildings use more than 40% of energy, and they are poorly insulated, inefficient and reliant on outdated heating systems, leading to energy waste.

2/ Our new report highlights three priorities:
✅ Address energy poverty
✅ Embed energy sufficiency in policy
✅ Scale up deep renovation

Read more: bankwatch.org/publication/...

1/ ❄️Every winter reminds us how much energy houses consume. In the Western Balkans, buildings use 40% of total energy due to poor insulation and outdated systems.

The answer is energy efficiency coupled with energy sufficiency.

We’re joining a campaign to reclaim the EU’s public bank for the public good.

🤑 Right now, the @eib.org is prioritising competitiveness and corporate profit over people, climate justice and social equity. This must change!

Read our policy recommendations: counter-balance.org/social-and-g...

Launch Event - Shared Green Societies Across Europe, the demand for a green transition that is inclusive, just and has the backing of the people is increasingly urgent. Communities, authorities, civil society and SSH (Social Sciences and ...

Across Europe, the demand for a green transition that is inclusive, just, and supported by citizens is becoming increasingly urgent. To better connect evidence, practice, and policy, Shared Green Deal is launching the Shared Green Societies Forum. Join us on 28.01:
sharedgreendeal.eu/shared-green...

🙌 It’s time to realign the @eib.org with climate justice, social equality, and democratic accountability. Check out the recommendations thread from @counter-balance.bsky.social 👇

Financing the EU’s energy and climate targets - Bankwatch

✍️Our blog posts and stories bring national perspectives to the big debates shaping the EU’s future. Our publications provide in‑depth analysis and that inform policies, strengthen advocacy, and guide decision makers.
👉Check out our extensive resources in Multimedia Hub:
bankwatch.org/europeangree...

A recent report from @ceebankwatch.bsky.social reveals a systemic flaw in how EU climate funds are being spent in Central and Eastern Europe, with billions going to incinerators and landfills rather than performance-enhancing initiatives like separate collection of organics 💸🔥

zurl.co/whtSz

Two years after separate biowaste collection became mandatory in EU cities, biowaste continues to be burned or landfilled in central and eastern Europe, undermining EU climate goals. ☣️

Our briefing shows where policy and funding are falling short – and how to fix it: bankwatch.org/publication/...

The Romanian government’s fossil gas obsession not only undermines climate action – it also risks increasing imports, creating stranded assets and hiking energy bills.

Read Raluca Petcu’s deep dive here: bankwatch.org/blog/romania...

Decarbonisation roadmap

🏙️ Decarbonising the energy sector is essential for meeting the EU’s climate neutrality targets. But are municipalities in central and eastern Europe ready for the challenge? In our ‘Decarbonisation Roadmap’ series, we explore how municipalities are preparing to take action. 🔍

Financing the EU’s energy and climate targets - Bankwatch

2/2 ℹ️ The otherr unpacks the EU’s Social Climate Fund, with insights from civil society, researchers and community energy experts.

Visit our Multimedia Hub! Scroll down to find our latest podcasts:
bankwatch.org/europeangree...

1/2 Our latest two podcast episodes tackle Europe’s climate and cohesion challenges. 📻

ℹ️ One examines the mid-term review of the EU budget – what it means for cohesion policy, democracy and public participation.

EP06 IFIs vs. Watchdogs | Who’s Right and Who’s Wrong?

2/2, and whether projects strongly opposed by local communities can truly be called development.

Listen to this important conversation – without the jargon: open.spotify.com/episode/0ASZ...

1/2 Our policy officer Nina Lesikhina was a guest on the No Nonsense Sustainability Podcast, where she spoke of her pride in serving as a civil society representative, what accountability really means for international financial institutions like the @ebrd.bsky.social, @eib.org and @adb.org...

Comply or Close More than 3 years have passed since the deadline for the Western Balkan countries to comply with pollution limits but none of the countries using coal comply. See our newest report. It’s time to comply or close.

3/3 Toxic air knowns no borders – it travels freely throughout Europe, driving up emissions and putting public health at risk.

We reveal the cost in our report:

2/3 These safeguards are enshrined in the Energy Community Treaty through the Large Combustion Plants Directive. To date, not a single coal-using country in the Western Balkans has complied.

Our message remains the same: Comply with the rules or close the plants!

1/3 New year, old problems.

It’s now over 8 years since the deadline passed for Western Balkan countries to comply with EU pollution limits – intended to reduce the deadly impacts of coal-fired power plants on human health and the environment.

3/3 💚 Sign up to our newsletter for updates on our ongoing work: www.bankwatch.org/ne...
Happy New Year and see you in 2026!

2/3 The network we’re committed to growing every single day keeps us motivated to advocate for a resilient, sustainable and climate-just region.
Want to join our community in 2026?
💚 Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram!

💚 1/3 As we wrap up 2026, we want to take a moment to say a HUGE thank you – to all our supporters, followers, activists, campaigners, member groups and donors – everybody who fought the good fight this year.

🌿 Nature across Europe is in an alarming state. EU funds must be used to tackle the biodiversity crisis. Discover our series of successful biodiversity restoration projects across the EU – highlighting the key role of public finance in safeguarding nature. 🍃
🌟 Read: bankwatch.org/suppor...

30 years of Bankwatch: Reflecting on the past, present and future The Bankwatch Podcast · Episode

2/2 📣 A must-listen for all aspiring and current activists:

1/2 Three decades fighting for climate justice, transparency and human rights in public finance has brought knowledge, experience and wisdom.

In this special podcast episode, some of Bankwatch’s longest-serving members reflect on our challenges and wins over the past 30 years.

From grassroots activism to fighting Goliath - Bankwatch From grassroots defiance to a force for accountability, Bankwatch’s story begins long before its founding in 1995. Amid collapsing regimes, our network channelled the energy of civil resistance into a brave new experiment in public oversight and transparency.

2/2 Our 30th anniversary story speaks to our resilience and influence on public-finance decision makers – and why strategy, courage and hope are our greatest tools in the face of the climate crisis.

Get inspired:

1/2 Real reform often comes after real harm – a hard truth for advocates of social and climate justice.
Campaigning for years and seeing little progress can be frustrating. But our efforts have not been in vain.

From Latvia’s first large-scale heat electrification project to energy-efficient home renovations in Hungary and Estonia, our videos showcase how communities across Europe are tackling energy inefficiency and climate challenges head-on.

👉 Check it out in our Multimedia Hub:
bankwatch.org/europe...

🔥 BREAKING: Fossil gas plants in Czechia and Bulgaria secure over half a billion in EU climate money via the Modernisation Fund.

And several Member States are eyeing billions more for dirty energy.

See more here: bankwatch.org/press_releas...