Mostar locals continue to resist Corridor Vc routing amid new tunnel loan talks
March 19, 2024
On 11-13 March a Bankwatch team visited Mostar and the nearby villages of Kosor, Ortiješ and Malo Polje. The team met with more than 25 landowners from the three villages, visited vineyards in Ortiješ, nearby construction sites on the Corridor Vc, and the Podveležje ridge. They discussed with local people the developments in the valley, ongoing legal action and the results of complaints at the EBRD’s accountability mechanism.
Soft landing: New high-level EIB ‘revolving door’ revelations suggest systemic issue persists
March 1, 2024
Alarming new Politico report uncovers ‘revolving doors’ in the EIB’s highest echelons linked to the controversial expansion of the Budapest airport.
International groups stand in solidarity with Armenian environmental and human rights defenders facing defamation and criminalisation
February 20, 2024
In recent months, Armenian human rights and environmental defenders and organisations have been facing defamatory attacks in local media. They are increasingly being targeted through defamation, smear campaigns, intimidation and criminalisation for their peaceful, legitimate human rights work.
Kyrgyzstan’s crackdown on civil society: Are international development banks doing enough?
February 20, 2024
Kyrgyzstan is one of the few countries in Central Asia with an active and vibrant civil society, represented by strong human right defenders and active environmental and social issue groups. Last year, however, the Kyrgyz government proposed two repressive laws on non-governmental organisations and the media, which represent a major setback for the country’s democratic future.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Corridor Vc motorway south of Mostar needs rerouting to meet EBRD and EU standards
February 16, 2024
A European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) compliance review has vindicated Mostar complainants affected by the Corridor Vc in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Now the Federation of BIH government, with support from the EU and European public banks, must ensure effective remedy.
Joint open letter to the Ukraine Facility COM(2023)338 trialogue negotiators
January 24, 2024
… photo FROM-UA Ahead of the political decision to adopt the Ukraine Facility Regulation, our broad coalition of civil society organisations …
Joint open letter to the Ukraine Facility trialogue negotiators
January 23, 2024
Ahead of the political decision to adopt the Ukraine Facility Regulation, a broad coalition of civil society organisations reached out to the trialogue negotiators to advocate for an inclusive and environmentally sound Ukraine Facility that ensures the country’s sustainable recovery.
Can Ukraine help green the EU’s farming sector?
January 16, 2024
Ukraine’s accession into the European Union could offer the bloc’s farming sector an environmental lifeline – and green policy experts are …
Civil society comments on the EBRD’s good governance policies with focus on human rights due diligence
January 15, 2024
Together with other civil society organisations, Bankwatch submitted comments on the EBRD’s good governance policies, which are currently under revision.
Recycling, renewables and rubble: How environmental issues could make or break Ukraine’s EU bid
December 17, 2023
In 2020, only 4% of Ukraine’s waste was recycled – the lowest rate in Europe.