Publications

We barely have time to celebrate our wins … or to process what we’ve lost

The Ukrainian House report, issued in cooperation with the Open Space Works Ukraine and the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Warsaw highlights how Ukrainian Women-led Organisations (WLOSs) have played a key role in responding to the humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion. Drawing on research in Ukraine and Poland, it explores their grassroots efforts in providing emergency aid, psychosocial support, and long-term solutions.

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Democracy & Human Rights

Böll.Thema 2/24: Democracy

Worldwide, democracy is under pressure. In this edition of the magazine Böll.Thema we introduce people who inspire us with their commitment to democratic values. Because without dedication and action, there can be no democracy. And without democracy, everything is for naught.

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From democratic resilience to democratic security

E-paper

Based on the 2024 political guidelines and mission letters to the new European Commissioners, the EU’s approach towards democracy seems to have shifted from a focus on democratic resilience towards democratic security. After a thorough examination of the EU’s 2019-2024 democracy agenda, this study presents recommendations for the next legislative cycle.

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Women CSO leaders for systemic change

Study

This study aims to take stock of the progress of the last decade, as well as identify remaining barriers and new opportunities for women CSO leaders in achieving systemic change in Europe. The key findings indicate a concerning trend of burnout among women leaders in the CSO sector, hindering their efforts to drive systemic change.

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Queer in Poland: Autobiographies

is the result of the contest for queer autobiographies organized in 2020. These autobiographical accounts offer insights into the experiences of individuals who identify outside of heteronormativity in Poland: their upbringing, familial dynamics, romantic relationships, and interactions with public institutions.

All publications on Democracy & Human Rights

Europe & International Politics

EU defence industrial policy in a new era

E-paper

The 2024 re-election of Donald Trump as US president, and the realignment of US security strategy that is expected to follow fundamentally changes Europe’s security outlook. The EU cannot become Europe’s security provider, but it can, through its defence industrial policy, support the funding and organization of the rearmament effort.

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Poland, Germany and Ukraine at a Turning Point: Making or Breaking the Western Alliance

At the beginning of 2025, Russia's war against Ukraine is entering its third year. At the same time, the EU is facing many uncertainties. Starting with those related to Donald Trump's second presidential term, through intra-European ones – related to the growth of far-right and far-left groups in many EU countries, and resulting from Russia's hybrid war against Western countries. In this context, the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe in cooperation with Austausch is publishing a report that offers answers to these threats and challenges. The report is published with the support of the Heinrich Böll Foundation Warsaw office.

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US elections and European cohesion: Scenario implications for Ukraine and Transatlantic security

Policy Paper

The fate of Ukraine’s battlefield will be decided at the US ballot box. This paper explores how the European Union and its Member States could adjust their Ukraine and NATO policies, depending on the outcome of the US election.

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Shaping the EU's Financial Architecture for the Future

Policy Paper

The European Union faces the enormous challenge of having to achieve the necessary climate targets it has set itself, while at the same time increasing industrial competitiveness and ensuring public services of general interest. A sustainable European financial architecture based on three pillars is needed to finance these green-social investments at EU level. It is presented in this policy paper.

All publications on International Politics

Energy & Climate

Energy Communities and the Legacy of Post-Socialism

The energy and climate crisis is real, and the big fossil fuel companies are dictating the rules of the game. Global warming and Russia's aggression in Ukraine have accelerated the search for safer, cheaper, and greener energy. One option is energy provided by energy communities. In post-communist countries, however, cooperatives have a distinctly negative connotation. The belief that energy should come from big government agencies or fossil fuel companies has created a perception that energy prices are beyond our control. But is this statement true? We explore this and many other questions in the following report.

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The 100% Renewable Energy Action Plan for the European Commission 2024-2029

Policy recommendations

The climate crisis and energy price explosion have made it clear: the EU cannot afford its dependency on fossil fuels anymore. How to deal with these enormous challenges? Our 100% Renewable Action Plan for the European Commission 2024-2029 describes what needs to happen to harvest the benefits of renewables.

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Frontpage of Böll.Thema Cursed Treasures

Böll.Thema 2/23: Cursed Treasures

Global demand for critical and strategic raw materials is on the rise. These resources are indispensable, particularly for the transition to clean energy, but also within other industry sectors. In this issue of our Böll.Thema magazine, we provide insights into recent developments in resource extraction, the associated challenges, and, most importantly, opportunities for positive change.

Power to the People

The report is a summary with the key findings from the Community energy law in Greece, Serbia, Poland, and Bulgaria. Stock taking and bottlenecks workshop organised in the meantime of the Community Energy Spring Gathering that both took place in Athens and which aimed to explore the topic of a decentralised system of community energy based on democratisation, localization, and environmentally sustainable methods of energy sourcing by shedding light onto its initiatives in Greece, Serbia, Poland, and Bulgaria. The paper presents key elements of both the legal framework and lessons learnt from the community energy initiative’s actions in each of the mentioned countries. Provided knowledge may be useful for further actions towards decentralised energy systems.

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All publications on Energy & Climate

European Agricultural Policy

Soil Atlas 2024

Atlas

The Soil Atlas 2024 not only highlights the consequences of the global loss of fertile soil, but also shows the potential of sustainable and fair land use for climate protection and biodiversity.

Peatland Atlas 2023

Atlas

The Peatland Atlas 2023 highlights the consequences of the destruction of these unique habitats, but also the potential of wet peatlands for mitigating climate change.

Food cooperatives in the EU

The report "Food cooperatives in the EU. Lessons for Poland" presents the results of a study on the organizational solutions adopted by food cooperatives in four EU countries - Hungary, Czechia, Italy, and Spain. The second part of the report is devoted to formal and legal issues concerning the activities of food cooperatives in Poland. The report also includes recommendations on the further development of the food cooperative sector in Poland. The report was developed by Grochowska Cooperative Foundation in cooperation with Heinrich Böll Foundation in Warsaw and EIT Food.

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Pesticide Atlas 2022

Atlas

The Pesticide Atlas raises awareness, provides comprehensive information and fosters nuanced debate around agrochemicals used for pest control. It sheds light on different aspects from scientific research, including the impact of pesticides on soils, waters, biodiversity and health, and highlights alternative models with a more stringent implementation of integrated pest management where synthetic substances are only a last resort option.

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All publication on European Agricultural Policy