Cohesion or Collision?
A new map showing EU and EIB funding for controversial projects in Central and Eastern Europe

Interactive online version

EU cash in climate clash:
How the EU funding plans are shaping up to fuel climate change
Comparative analysis of the 2007-2013 structural funding allocations for energy and transport in the new member states
Black and white version

EU funds are shaping the long-term development of the new member states
With EUR 44 million per year, the Structural and Cohesion Funds are the second biggest part of the EU's budget. From 2007 on, half of this amount will go to the new member states and acceding countries of Central and Eastern Europe. This huge financial injection, guided by the EU's cohesion policy, will shape the long-term development of these countries. Efficient and environmentally-friendly use of EU funds is therefore very much in the interests of people in the new member states as well as of taxpayers all over Europe.

EU funds bring both opportunities and threats to sustainable development
The billions pouring into the new member states have great potential to foster sustainable patterns of development – but the right priorities must be set and the funds used properly. The funds could help the new member states secure significant energy savings, encourage renewable energy generation, upgrade the existing dense railway network, rehabilitate regional roads and improve their safety, as well as finance urban public transport. The funds can also support efficient and innovative waste management projects, recycling and reuse schemes and help cover the high costs of meeting EU environmental standards within the agreed transition periods. Most of these investments would bring not only environmental but also economic and social gains. Currently, however, the funds present threats to sustainability, either by funding projects harmful to the environment or by promoting unsustainable development, e.g. in the transport sector. Read more...

New cohesion policy for 2007-2013
Recently, a new political and financial framework for the EU funds has been prepared and put in place for the entire period 2007-2013. At the EU level, new regulations and strategic guidelines, approved in 2006, have set the rules and funding priorities.

National and regional level: the programming process
What will actually be funded, is being largely decided at the national or regional level. In the so-called programming process, member states or regions are preparing operational programmes that specify actual investments in the fields of transport, environment, industry, human resources, etc. and financial allocations for them. The European Commission has the final say on the programmes and the negotiations are going on in 2007.

Together with CEE Bankwatch Network, Friends of the Earth Europe strives to ensure that the funding programmes support sustainable development and that civil society is actively involved in their preparation and monitoring.

See how the new member states plan to use EU funding over the next seven years in the areas of energy and transport.

NGO involvement: securing proper and environmentally sustainable use of the EU funds
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) play an important role in securing the proper use of EU funds. By bringing independent expertise, raising public awareness and monitoring the workings of authorities, NGO involvement helps secure transparent and democratic decision-making and contributes overall to a better use of public resources. The involvement of environmental NGOs in particular is important for ensuring that the EU funding allocations encourage sustainable patterns of development in the EU regions, respect European and national environmental priorities and laws, and do not contribute to environmental damage. See our 10 reasons for opening the EU funds to greater civil society participation and an NGO proposal for 10 Golden Rules for effective partnership in EU Funds.

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