About the book

A looming crisis over energy has hit the countries of South East Europe at an unfortunate time. No sooner have most ordinary people in these countries finally gained access to energy on a scale that Western Europeans have long taken for granted, than their governments already face pressure to cut carbon emissions through the adoption of alternative, cleaner energy. At the same time, the geographical location of these countries has made them subjects of geopolitical rivalries, with both Russia and the European Union wooing them to their often-conflicting agendas. These factors explain why our choice of energy as this year’s theme for the Balkan Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence appeared especially appropriate.

Power Struggle: Meeting Global Energy Challenges in the Balkans is the product of original research of ten journalists selected from South East Europe to participate in 2008 programme of the Balkan Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence. Initiated by the Robert Bosch Stiftung and Erste Foundation, in cooperation with the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, BIRN, this programme responds with financial and professional support to the growing need in the region to foster quality reporting, encourage regional networking among journalists and advance balanced coverage on complex reform issues that are central to the region as well as to the European Union.