To access a variable

The scripted progress bar is located within the JE scope so in order to access a variable or local_variable in the scope of the country you have to scope up.

set_bar_progress = {
     name = balkfm_battenburg_support_progressbar
     value = root.var:balkfm_battenburg_support_var
}

To access the value of a scripted progress bar:

scope:journal_entry = {
    "scripted_bar_progress(br_hre_impending_revolution_1de_estate_progress_bar)" <= 45
}

How to store a scripted progress bar value in a var

Store it first in a global var:

je:je_hre_impending_revolution = {
   set_global_variable = {
	name = test_var
	value = "scripted_bar_progress(br_hre_impending_revolution_1de_estate_progress_bar)"
   }
}

And then store the value of that global var in a local var within a desired scope, so you can then get rid of the global var.

set_variable = {
      name = test_var_2
      value = global_var:test_var
}