Fallout and failures: EIB’s East–West Highway investments in Georgia amid authoritarian takeover
October 17, 2025
The EIB’s massive EUR 1 billion highway investment in Georgia has proved disastrous for impacted communities due to the country’s authoritarian turn and chronic project mismanagement.
Briefing for the EIB Board of Directors
October 17, 2025
Ahead of the EIB’s annual Board Seminar with Civil Society, this briefing urges the Bank to demonstrate genuine dialogue and accountability to match its global ambitions.
Highway of injustice: How EIB-financed East–West road projects in Georgia impact local communities
October 13, 2025
In 2021, the European Investment Bank approved EUR 106.7 million in funding for two major highway projects in southern Georgia. Field research revealed significant social and environmental issues in the affected municipalities.
EBRD’s toxic bond with Indorama: Funding polluter in Georgia’s shrinking democracy
September 30, 2025
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) continues to back one of its most controversial clients in one of Europe’s most troubled democracies. Human rights, labour laws, and the environment are all at stake.
Can Ukraine reconcile environmental priorities with economic interests?
September 24, 2025
The Ukrainian government has updated indicators in the Ukraine Plan under the 2024–2027 Ukraine Facility. Though largely technical, the changes still need EU approval.But the key question remains: Will the government deliver on the environmental reforms essential to Ukraine’s European future?
EIB–EBRD mutual reliance: A threat to environmental and social accountability
July 14, 2025
In April, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) signed a Mutual Reliance and Cooperation Agreement, founding their future cooperation on jointly financed projects. Yet concerns have already emerged about potential risks to environmental and social safeguards as well as accountability under the new partnership.
The EBRD’s first Impact Report: A welcome step, but does it tell the whole story?
July 10, 2025
In May 2025, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) released its first-ever Impact Report. With EUR 16.6 billion invested in 584 projects in 2024, the report highlights ambitious claims: reductions in emissions, boosts to human capital, and support for inclusive economies. But as we dig deeper, a familiar issue re-emerges: the gap between institutional ambition and on-the-ground reality.
The EBRD starts its impact reporting journey: How can it deliver meaningful results?
July 7, 2025
In May 2025, the EBRD published its first-ever Impact Report, showcasing the impact of EUR 16.6 billion invested across 584 projects on real-world change. Although shifting the focus from activities to impacts is important, the report falls short in several key areas.
Restoring the Dnipro: Ukraine’s water crisis and the path to Europe
July 1, 2025
The critical task of protecting and preserving Ukraine’s water resources presents significant challenges. To address these issues, the environmental community has initiated discussions on implementing effective water management across the country, with a particular focus on rehabilitating its principal waterway – the Dnipro River.
Civil society recommendations for ADB Accountability Mechanism Policy Review
June 23, 2025
In April 2025, 29 civil society organisations, including Bankwatch, submitted recommendations for the Asian Development Bank’s Accountability Mechanism Policy.
