Charting the Course: EU Fund Allocation for a Greener Europe
The month of August witnessed the vibrant energy of the consortium Towards a Climate-Neutral EU: Efficient Allocation of EU Funds as they held their latest online symposium. As member nations discussed their ongoing undertakings, the collective ambition was clear: to efficiently utilize EU funds for a sustainable future
The project, while encompassing a diverse set of European NGOs, is harmoniously coordinated by CEEweb for Biodiversity, ensuring a coherent direction towards shared goals.
Europe Pushes Ahead in Climate-Fund Strategy: The Consortium Reveals All
In the heart of Brussels, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) is navigating the intricate landscape post-Timmermans. With the departure of Timmermans, the EEB is expressing concerns about the uncertain division of responsibilities in the EUGreenDeal between Mr. Sefcovic & Mr. Hoekstra. The ambiguity extends to potential political "allies" they might align with. Despite these challenges, the EEB remains undeterred, channelling its focus on pivotal matters like Fgas and EPBD. Meanwhile, they are meticulously crafting a report that critically examines the NRRPs and potential misallocations within the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). In tandem with this, the EEB is ardently pushing for a more inclusive approach, advocating for broader participation of CSOs and NGOs and championing a more exhaustive DNSH assessment process.
In Slovenia, Umanotera has raised concerns regarding the potential repercussions of recent floods on the nation's allocated funds. There's a growing apprehension that fund utilization might shift from "climate mitigation" to "climate adaptation" measures, in light of the recent natural disasters. While Umanotera identifies these challenges, it's important to note that the inaugural call for projects under the modernization fund was announced by the Slovenian government. Nonetheless, the focus remains on ensuring that the DNSH principle remains integral. Amidst these challenges, Umanotera is gearing up for a significant upcoming event – a comprehensive conference in November.
Slovakia, led by Zdruzenie Slatinka, recently unveiled its draft of the NECP. Despite anticipation, the final draft has fallen short of meeting the broader environmental aspirations. As the country prepares for its parliamentary elections, there's a palpable strategic shift. Efforts are being intensified to secure agreements that align with Slovakia's climate goals, especially given the limited window with the current government.
CDE in the Czech Republic faces a challenging scenario. Despite the initial plans to secure a significant loan through the RRF from the European Commission, the national government has decided to scale back its request. This move is particularly concerning given the unmet needs in building renovation and energy conservation. Undeterred by the government's stance, CDE is actively lobbying to maximize the loan, recognizing the transformative potential of these funds at the EU level.
In Hungary, the Clean Air Action Group (CAAG) voiced concerns about the recently unveiled RePowerEU Plan, particularly its seeming bias towards oil and gas infrastructure development. Concurrently, CAAG's published assessment of 2023's Country-Specific Recommendations indicates that only one out of the seven recommendations is being partly implemented. This finding, coupled with their dynamic media campaigns, underscores CAAG's unwavering commitment to environmental advocacy and their keen oversight of Hungary's climate-related actions.
Poland, led by ISD, continues its efforts in the realm of climate advocacy, with keen interests in the RePower initiative, NECP progression, and strategic funding allocation.
Romania, through the Focus Eco Center, has made significant progress by publishing application guides for the Just Transition. Their active engagement with representatives from the Ministry of EU Funds underscores their proactive approach. Immediate focal areas include refining the application of the DNSH principle and close observation of the NRRF implementation.
Bulgaria's situation, as portrayed by EPI, is notably challenging. While the specifics of Bulgaria's political landscape remain intricate, the consistent postponements in their plans can be interpreted as concerning indicators. The NECP is set to be unveiled in 2024, and the TJTP, following exhaustive public consultations, is expected this September. EPI is actively translating and disseminating project publications while concentrating on finalizing a database highlighting best practices from Bulgaria. In tandem with these efforts, they are examining the NRRP revision and seeking a more cohesive alignment with the RePowerEU initiative.
In wrapping up the consortium's discourse, the collective zeal was palpable. The DNSH principle, now more than ever, is in sharp focus. Spearheaded by EEB, the upcoming research aims to dissect potential setbacks in the new budget allocation. All this, coupled with intensified efforts to secure dialogues with the European Commission, hints at a dynamic roadmap ahead.
Engagements continue, deadlines approach, and as Europe steadily marches towards a climate-neutral future, the consortium remains its unwavering backbone. For a more granular dive into each nation's endeavours, the consortium's platform offers an exhaustive archive. Join the brigade, and together, let's shape a sustainable Europe.
