A coalition of 68 non-governmental organizations from Serbia and across the Western Balkans has called on the European Union to include dedicated funding for environmental protection and a just transition for coal-dependent regions in its next multiannual budget, set to begin in 2028.
In a joint statement cited by local news agency FoNet and relayed by N1, the NGOs emphasized the absence of specific EU financial mechanisms aimed at aiding coal-dependent areas in the Western Balkans. Currently, support is provided primarily through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA).
However, according to information from Brussels, the next EU budget cycle (2028–2034) may no longer include IPA. Instead, EU assistance to the region would likely be channeled through a new instrument tied to reform implementation, similar to the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) for EU member states and the Western Balkans Reform and Growth Instrument, according to a statement from the Belgrade Open School (BOŠ), one of the signatory organizations.
The NGOs expressed concern that the shift in funding mechanisms could weaken support for environmental priorities and civil society engagement. They urged the EU to ensure that any future financial instruments prioritize environmental reforms, enforceable legal protections, and inclusive decision-making processes.
They also called for the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans to be strengthened with concrete reforms in environmental governance, enforcement mechanisms for legal violations, and enhanced public consultations on planned reforms and investments.
The European Commission is expected to present its draft budget proposal for the 2028–2034 period in mid-July, potentially ending months of speculation over the size and structure of the future financial framework.