Sustainable EU funds EU Funds have the potential to create more sustainable societies

Citizens' awards for better EU spending

19 February 2013

Today, 27 citizens’ projects from eight Central and Eastern European countries were awarded for their winning ideas for how EU funds could be well spent on sustainable and environmentally friendly local initiatives. The award ceremony, hosted by CEE Bankwatch Network and Friends of the Earth Europe, and opened by Elisabeth Schroedter MEP, highlighted that EU money doesn’t need to only support massive infrastructure projects.

18 October 2012

Clean, green EU spending is possible

A new publication released today documenting regional spending during the 2007-2013 period highlights how in times of economic and environmental crisis, Cohesion Policy can guide investments that are sustainable, innovative and really benefit the public. CEE Bankwatch Network, Friends of the Earth Europe and WWF published today a map showing where European regional spending has triggered environmental protection and sustainable development – including public transport, renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

3 July 2012

No medals in sight for Barroso II

Halfway through its term in office, the European Commission is falling behind in the race to create sustainable long-term prosperity in Europe, warn Europe's leading green groups in a critical assessment of the Commission's environmental performance since 2010.

More

Friends of the Earth Europe is monitoring EU Structural and Cohesion funds and campaigning for reform of these investments. We want to see the funds used in ways that aid Europe's transformation to a resource-efficient society - one whose energy consumption is low and based on renewable sources, and where biodiversity is protected.

No harmful social or environmental impacts should be allowed to result from these investments.

More resources

Reports & publications

3 Dec 2012

No half measures: Investment needs in energy efficiency and renewables in the CEE countries

18 Oct 2012

Well Spent: Cohesion policy that works for the environment

More reports & publications

For enquiries please contact:

  • Markus Trilling
    • Agriculture

      Food and farming in Europe and its global impacts

    • Agrofuels

      Plant-based fuels from agriculture. Also known as biofuels

    • Biodiversity

      Species and habitat protection in Europe and around the globe

    • GMOs

      Genetically modified crops and organisms

    • Land

      Measuring Europe’s land footprint and tackling the drivers of land grabbing

    • Biodiversity

      Species and habitat protection in Europe and around the globe

    • Extractive industries

      Oil and gas exploration, and mining

    • Land

      Measuring Europe’s land footprint and tackling the drivers of land grabbing

    • Materials and waste

      Reducing, reusing and recycling resources

    • Resource use

      Europe’s consumption of land, materials, water and carbon

    • Shale gas

      Unconventional gas and the extraction process known as ‘fracking’

    • Tar sands

      Unconventional oil. Also known as oil sands

    • Water use

      Measuring Europe’s water footprint