Half 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.
Read moreNEW REPORT: EU push for metals mining is a raw deal for people and environment
Press release | 28 January, 2021With a fair and digital transformation topping the priorities of the Portuguese EU presidency, the European Green Deal’s push for raw materials should not come at the expense of workers, local communities and nature, warns a new report from CEE Bankwatch Network.
Read morePulling the ‘cotton’ over Uzbek eyes at latest EBRD investment
Blog entry | 26 January, 2021On 27 January 2021 the EBRD expects its Board of Directors to approve a loan of USD 70 million to Indorama Agro for the development of the cotton farming sector in Uzbekistan.
Read more‘Needle under a blanket’ at Belgrade waste project
Blog entry | 18 January, 2021Superficial cover up by the EBRD’s accountability mechanism of problems at Belgrade Solid Waste public-private partnership is followed by new request for problem solving.
Read moreGroundhog day: Third public consultation for Belgrade incinerator environmental studies and still no circular economy in sight
Blog entry | 1 October, 2020Construction of Belgrade’s Vinča incinerator officially started last year, so why have Serbian authorities opened a new public consultation on an updated environmental study? Annulling all previous approvals immediately is the only way to give this process any integrity.
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