Bankwatch Western Balkans 2024-2027 Bankwatch västra Balkan 2024-2027 Bankwatch is an association of non-profit environmental CSOs where the main focus is to act as watchdogs for investments financed by IFIs (EBRD, EIB, ADB). Bankwatch’s mission is to prevent investments made within the framework of international development cooperation from having negative consequences on the environment and social structures. In addition, Bankwatch works to promote the use of renewable energy and increase public engagement on these issues. Among other things, Bankwatch has developed a helpdesk where communities in the region can apply for support.

Through SIDA-financed support in the Western Balkans, the contribution will work towards two goals.
1.	Prevent harmful measures in the energy sector from receiving financial and political support 
2.	Empower citizens to claim their rights Bankwatch är en sammanslutning av icke vinstdrivande miljöinriktade CSOs där det främsta fokuset är att agera watchdogs till investeringar finansierade av IFIs (EBRD, EIB, ADB). Bankwatch har som uppdrag att motverka att investeringar gjorda inom ramen för internationellt utvecklingssamarbete får negativa konsekvenser för miljö och sociala strukturer. Dessutom verkar Bankwatch för att främja användandet av förnyelsebar energi och utöka engagemanget för dessa frågor bland allmänheten. Bankwatch har bland annat utvecklat en helpdesk där organisationer i regionen kan ansöka om stöd. 
Genom ett SIDA-finansierat stöd i Västra Balkan ska insatsen jobba mot två mål. 
1.Förhindra att skadliga åtgärder inom energisektorn får ekonomiskt och politiskt stöd
2.Stärka medborgarna till att göra anspråk på sina rättigheter The contribution has the overall goal to support green transformation in the region. 

Goal 1: Prevent harmful measures in the energy sector from receiving financial and political support. 

The energy sector (electricity and heat) has been identified as the biggest source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions not only worldwide but also in the Western Balkans. To accelerate the energy transformation and prevent the most serious impacts of the climate emergency, the energy sector needs to be decarbonised. Not only are the regions still heavily dependent on fossil fuels, but they lack alternatives and, crucially, political will to raise the level of ambition for seeking sustainable solutions. Therefore, Bankwatch will focus on halting the further use of fossil fuels in the energy sector through the following measures: preventing new coal power plants; closing or pushing existing facilities to comply with environmental standards; supporting decarbonisation of district heating systems; blocking coal-to-gas conversions; and lobbying for the implementation of just transition principles across the region.

Goal 2: Empower citizens to claim their rights.

Each year, the IFI's lend billions of euros to improve the living conditions of millions of people around the world. In countries where the rule of law is limited due to autocracy or corruption, IFIs often serve as the primary safeguard of democratic principles. IFIs are bound by the legislation and commitments of its shareholders, which are then translated into internal IFI policies. Although these policies are far from perfect, often not enforced, and hard for the IFIs to monitor, they remain valuable entry points for the public to participate in decisions that can potentially improve their lives. All too often, however, the projects that are intended to promote and develop healthy, sustainable living have the opposite effect, destroying livelihoods and lives, and causing irreversible damage to biodiversity and cultural heritage, loss of local livelihoods, further discrimination of already vulnerable groups and marginalisation of affected people in decision-making. These projects can include the construction of large hydro dams, transport corridors, regional infrastructure such as fossil gas pipelines and highways, the extraction of gold and critical raw materials, and solid waste management facilities.

To support citizens in their efforts to positively steer the direction of these investments, actively engage in political decision-making, and harness the potential of IFIs to uphold democratic principles to the fullest, Bankwatch commits to improving access to information and enhancing public participation, lobbying IFIs to improve their internal mechanisms and policies, and building the capacity of civil society and affected communities to reclaim their rights.