A flawed rollout: How the EBRD’s efforts to tackle harassment on Tbilisi public transport have fallen short
October 11, 2024
In an effort to tackle gender-based violence and harassment across Tbilisi’s public transport network, the EBRD has provided financial and technical support to Tbilisi Transport Company – the operator responsible for managing public transport services in the city – to help them set up a tracking system to address incidents on the city’s metro and bus routes.
Bishkek’s sustainable urban mobility development: A review of current policies and investments with recommendations for enhanced transformative impact (long version)
August 14, 2024
As Bishkek’s population grows, public transport in the Kyrgyz capital is clearly lagging far behind demand. A new research paper, produced in collaboration with our Kyrgyz partners Peshcom, maps the situation of sustainable urban mobility development in Bishkek.
CEE Bankwatch Network comments on the draft of the EBRD Infrastructure Sector Strategy
August 14, 2024
The EBRD’s draft strategy, published in the summer of 2024, shows improvements particularly in terms of good governance, inclusion, safety, affordability, accessibility of municipal and transport infrastructure and services. In our new comments, we argue that more needs to be done to decarbonise and promote circular economy principles and sustainable waste management.
Forum Discusses New Yerevan Master Plan: Residents Lack Adequate Greenspace
August 1, 2024
Yerevan residents seeking a patch of greenspace for a bit of respite from the urban clamor, especially during the dog days of summer, probably won’t be surprised to learn that such areas in the city are way less than accepted international standards.
The last trolleybus of Bishkek: mayor’s decision defies logic and undermines foreign investments in green transport
July 19, 2024
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) need to investigate the impact of their public transport projects in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan as the city’s urban mobility system gets a complete overhaul without transparency or public participation.
Bishkek’s sustainable urban mobility development: A review of current policies and investments with recommendations for enhanced transformative impact
June 26, 2024
As Bishkek’s population grows, public transport in the Kyrgyz capital is clearly lagging far behind demand. A new research paper, produced in collaboration with our Kyrgyz partners Peshcom, maps the situation of sustainable urban mobility development in Bishkek.
SARAJEVO TRAMWAY: Secret Contract with the Chinese
June 14, 2024
Almost a year after the completion of the project, the Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Transport is concealing the contents of the contract for …
Civil society urges the EBRD to adopt responsible policies and reaffirm its commitment to promoting democracy
May 14, 2024
As the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) gathers for its 33rd Annual Meeting in Yerevan (1), civil society organisations have united to challenge the EBRD’s flawed policies. They highlight numerous cases where EBRD investments have had negative impacts on communities and the environment (2). CEE Bankwatch Network, a leading organisation in this effort, is also calling on the EBRD to take decisive action against the increasing repression of civil society in the countries where it operates.
Bishkek’s electric trolleybuses under threat from ADB-funded transport overhaul
May 2, 2024
In an effort to address Bishkek’s pollution issue, the city plans to purchase 120 electric buses as well as a fleet of compressed natural gas buses. However, these may replace the city’s most environmentally friendly mode of transportation – the trolleybus.
Rebuilding Ukraine: Funding challenges and solutions for Ukrainian municipalities
March 28, 2024
In 2014, decentralisation reforms were introduced in Ukraine to increase the country’s resilience, empower local communities, and transfer more decision-making power from the central government to the local level. These measures have significantly helped communities keep their heads above water and respond quickly to the challenges of Russia’s invasion.