IN PROGRESS

Data-Driven Roadmaps for Catalyzing Green Growth in Eastern Europe

Context

The European Union (EU) is committed to an ambitious green transition, targeting a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050. This agenda represents a new industrial strategy focused on developing supply chains for low-carbon technologies (LCTs) and enhancing the EU’s global competitiveness.

However, in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), the green transition is often perceived as a costly obligation rather than a strategic economic opportunity. CEE countries face significant challenges which limits entry into new value chains such as weak cooperation between climate and economic policies as well as fragmented collaboration between government, industry, and civil society, impedes progress.

Despite these challenges, the rising international demand for LCTs within Europe, and overreliance on imported technologies, represents a significant opportunity for CEE countries. By aligning climate and economic development strategies, these countries can transition from technology adopters to producers and exporters.

This project employs a data-driven, multi-actor strategy to identify market opportunities and redirect CEE economies towards climate-friendly, export-led growth trajectories, ultimately strengthening both national prosperity and the EU’s overall economic resilience.

Project Description

This project aims to develop data-driven roadmaps for green growth in Romania, Bulgaria and Estonia. This will be achieved by mapping the local policy context and identifying the regulations and institutional frameworks that influence the adoption of low-carbon technologies.

The project combines an analysis of global trends with a series of data-driven scenario workshops involving national stakeholders. These collaborative sessions are designed to develop future scenarios and produce actionable, country-specific green growth roadmaps.

To maximise impact, the project includes mutual learning workshops to facilitate knowledge sharing among participating countries, as well as a dedicated workshop to present findings to EU policymakers. The initiative will conclude with a comprehensive media and policy outreach campaign, as well as final national conferences to present the project’s results.

Topic

  • Green Growth & Low-Carbon Technology Roadmaps

Period

  • February 2025 – December 2026 (23 months)

EPG Project Manager

Nadia Maki EPG thinktank
Nadia Maki

Contributors

Alina Arsani EPG thinktank
Alina Arsani
Noemi Roussel EPG Profile Picture july 2025 epg thinktank
Noémie Roussel
Caterina Oproiu EPG thinktank
Caterina Oproiu

Project objectives

  • Analyse global trends and map local policy landscapes to improve stakeholder understanding of the green growth context.
  • Develop data-driven, country-specific roadmaps identifying challenges and opportunities for export-led green growth.
  • Foster mutual learning and cooperation among policymakers and industry representatives across EU countries.
  • Increase awareness of the green transition and establish a network of private sector and civil society stakeholders.

Partners

  • Institute of Baltic Studies (implementing organisation)
  • Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD Bulgaria)
  • Energy Policy Group (EPG)
  • Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI)/Fraunhofer Gesellschaft e.V.

Funding

  • European Climate Initiative (EUKI)

This project is part of the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).