Citizens' Guides to international financial institutions
At a first glance, the environment and activities of international financial institutions (IFIs) appear unrelated - but it's only the first glance.
IFIs are public institutions that are the main agents in a global financial architecture. As public institutions, they should be accountable to the public and act in its common good. However, their track record is far from perfect.
There is little, in-depth knowledge about these institutions among the general public but there's a growing demand for such information. Our guides aim to provide a tool for readers, not so much as bed-side reading, but more as a manual. This tool is not only about information but action too. It is written with the aim to provide knowledge to concerned citizens to raise their voices about the operations of IFIs.
These guides are the result of ongoing work of several people and organisations. Find out more information about the institutions we monitor below.
World Bank
Friends over at the Bretton Woods Project have put together an excellent resource documenting the (not-so) good, the bad and the ugly at the World Bank.
Also watch here Bankwatch coordinator for the Caucasus region Manana Kochladze explain two ongoing revisions at the World Bank where it's possible for citizens to get active and involved.
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
CEE Bankwatch has prepared a series of papers for NGOs and citizens who are concerned about the EBRD, its policies, and projects that it finances. The papers clearly explain what information the EBRD makes available to the public and how it can be accessed, what the process is for a project from application for funding to implementation, who is responsible for making decisions in the EBRD, and where you can find your local EBRD office.
These papers are based on several years of experience in working on EBRD issues and should provide you with the initial and basic knowledge that you will need if you want to challenge an EBRD project or policy as well as some useful practical tips.
Citizen guides on EBRD:
| EBRD and the Council of Europe | (2002) |
| Access to EBRD Information | (August 19, 2004) |
| EBRD Project Cycle | (2002) |
| EBRD Project and Public Consultation | (August 19, 2004) |
| EBRD Decision-making Structure | (2002) |
| An overview of policies and projects of EBRD and EIB | (September 9, 2004) |
| An overview of EBRD strategies and policies | (2005) |
| EBRD Offices | (2002) |
| EBRD History | (2002) |
EBRD Web sites:
European Investment Bank
The video below takes a comic look at the basics of the European Investment Bank, the world's biggest public financial institution.
Counter Balance - challenging the European Investment Bank has put together a useful guide for citizens wanting to find out more about the EIB. It's also available in multiple languages.
An overview of the most important issues and EIB policies that Bankwatch is working on can be found on our EIB background page.
European complaint mechanisms
The Citizens’ guide to European complaint mechanisms aims to help individuals and NGOs to successfully use existing institutional mechanisms at the European and international level to protect the environment and ensure adequate/effective use of public funds. The guide aims to summarize Citizens’ experiences so far with appealing to international institutions such as the EU Ombudsman and the Aarhus Convention committee. A great deal of experience has been gained in the area, but the cases have been isolated and opportunities to learn from the experience of others have not been maximised. The guide therefore will build on the existing examples and will promote further, but better, use of the complaint mechanisms.
Download the Citizen's guide to European complaint mechanisms or visit the interactive guide online.
Additional resources
Multilateral Financial Institutions
- Both ENDS Information Package Nr. 11
Participation Toolkit - site about participation in local government
CEE Bankwatch Network gratefully acknowledges EU funding support.