The project addresses the lack of rule of law in the Western Balkans energy transition, particularly the breaches of the Treaty Establishing the Energy Community, which delay the achievement of climate neutrality goals, sustainable energy transition, and pollution reduction. The project aims to reinforce the rule of law as the foundation of the energy transition in the region, leveraging experiences from the Civil Society Forum 2022-2023 and aligning with the EU’s “fundamentals first” enlargement principle. The main objectives of this project are the development and promotion of a model for independent energy transition oversight through collaboration between civil society, parliaments, and independent regulatory institutions.
Expected project results are the following:
- Civil society proposals for independent energy transition oversight endorsed by EU and national parliaments, regulatory institutions, academic communities, trade unions, and EU-focused think tanks.
- Developed and presented policy recommendations for overcoming non-compliance with the Treaty Establishing Energy Community enforcement established upon the rule of law principle.
- Enhanced civil society engagement in initiatives maintained by the EU, Energy Community, Regional Cooperation Council, and bilateral partners.
- Increased accountability of Western Balkans governments towards the Green Agenda and Paris Agreement objectives.
The main activities of this project include drafting policy recommendations to prevent non-compliance with the Treaty Establishing the Energy Community, establishing independent oversight over investments, policies, and measures in the Western Balkans energy transition, and conducting advocacy meetings with EU Parliament members and relevant EU institutions. Additionally, RERI will hold two regional consultative meetings in Podgorica and Belgrade, participate in the Berlin Summit to present the policy recommendations and present these recommendations to the European Parliament.
This project is implemented with the support of the Open Society Foundations Western Balkans. Implementation period: 01.05.2024 – 30.04.2025