The European Commission’s legislative proposals for the future EU Budget have made some promising changes but they are not ambitious enough to meet the level of current challenges. While CAP spending still needs a radical overhaul, the proposals on the other funds need to be strengthened to ensure leadership from the EU Budget that supports a sustainable and prosperous European economy and inspires all of Europe and the world.

While Lydian International is reporting on progress in its talks with the EBRD about an aquisition of company shares by the bank and on receiving project approval from the Armenian government, the EBRD has yet to publish project related documents in line with its public information policy.

In its letter to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Bankwatch member group CEKOR discusses issues related to the Kolubara lignite mining project that have not yet been clarified. Among them is the fact that the EBRD's loan is indeed connected to the resettlement of the Vreoci community, something which the EBRD has denied so far, and the so far vague claim that the project will contribute to emission reductions and environmental improvements.

While central and eastern European countries can use EU funds as a financial tool helping them to meet the requirements of European waste directives, the money is not spent in line with these directives. This case study explains why, focusing mainly on the waste hierarchy as one of the key principles of EU legislation.