Civil society wishes on the EBRD’s 30th birthday: shut the fossil fuels party
Blog entry | 29 June, 2021People around the world are already feeling the brunt of the climate crisis on an almost daily basis. Most governments accept we are in the midst of a global climate crisis, including those controlling the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). And yet, Bankwatch’s recent analysis shows that during 2019-2020, the EBRD has awarded the fossil fuels industry more than USD 2 million every day on average. Two million dollars. Every single day.
Read moreEuropean bank challenged on human rights credentials
Press release | 21 June, 2021The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has struggled to prevent the billions of euros it lends each year from supporting autocratic regimes, finds a new report from civil society groups released on the eve of the bank’s thirtieth annual shareholder meeting.
Read moreComplaints on controversial motorway project in Bosnia and Herzegovina trigger EBRD inquiry as forced expropriations begin in South Mostar
Press release | 27 April, 2021Local residents south of Mostar fear they could be uprooted by a motorway project financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). With forced expropriations underway, the Bank’s accountability mechanism has now announced it will investigate these concerns.
Read moreLeft jobless after eviction from Vinca landfill, Roma begin negotiations with Belgrade after complaint to the EBRD
Blog entry | 22 April, 2021The EBRD’s accountability mechanism has launched a problem-solving initiative to negotiate issues of affordable housing, access to education and income generation for the Roma families that were evicted from the Vinča landfill. In the two years since the eviction, these issues were not addressed, so the EBRD’s mediators will facilitate a problem-solving process between this vulnerable group and the city of Belgrade.
Read moreHalf green and half-blind on democracy. As the EBRD turns 30 the vision of its founders is still far out of sight
Blog entry | 14 April, 2021The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was created in 1991 at a unique moment in history: after the fall of the Berlin wall, the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the run-up for the Rio Earth Summit on Sustainable Development and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Read moreThirsty hydropower: misuse of drinking water pipelines has destroyed a river in Bulgaria
Blog entry | 30 March, 2021The Blagoevgradska Bistritsa hydropower cascade was planned to use only the drinking water of the town of Blagoevgrad. Eight years later, it has used more than double the water allowed, leaving the river ‘even without frogs’. Our latest report shows the need for more scrutiny of EIB and EBRD lending through intermediary banks.
Read moreIndorama Agro workers are fighting to register the first independent trade union in Uzbekistan
Blog entry | 26 March, 2021International civil society urges the Uzbek government and development banks to support the registration of the trade union in a joint statement released today, as workers organising the union are met with threats.
Read moreUnrest in Armenia casts shadow on developments at controversial gold mine
Blog entry | 9 March, 2021As the unfolding political crisis engulfs the streets of Yerevan, recent developments at the Bern Convention and EBRD portent a rocky future for the Amulsar project.
Read moreActions speak louder than words: gender equality policies in development banks
Blog entry | 8 March, 2021Promoting gender rights and women’s empowerment has become a trend among multilateral development banks (MDBs). Organising discussions on best practices and promoting gender-related issues is welcome, but it is crucial that banks ensure meaningful protection and support to the women most affected by international public investments.
Read moreDivide and Rule: EBRD and EC decision-making on Corridor Vc South Mostar investments should not marginalise opponents of the valley route
Blog entry | 22 February, 2021Citizens from South Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, will be waiting with their whole hearts for the results of the upcoming EBRD Board meeting on 25 February. The meeting agenda has an item that will affect the lives of people in that area – Corridor Vc in FBH – Part 3 – Operation Change Report. In the week before the decision the EBRD client, JP Autoceste, in collaboration with the bank, has attempted to demonstrate support for the currently selected valley route, while excluding and marginalising local opponents.
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