Environmentalism and democracy on the rise in Albania
August 1, 2018
Public participation is a prerequisite to functioning democracy. Environmental justice is crucial to sustainable development. But in Albania, a small, southeastern European country only recently emerging from decades-long, self-imposed isolation, democracy is still struggling to be born, and suffers from often being confused with unchecked capitalism.
Devastating floods are the latest warning sign about controversial Nenskra hydropower project
July 31, 2018
From the outside, this tragedy might seem like a natural disaster, a force majeure. But one cannot ignore the human factors at play.
In Kenya, a motorway funded by the European Investment Bank runs over roadside dwellers
July 30, 2018
Children dropping out of school, trees cut, people living in fear of another wave of forced evictions – the European Investment Bank’s (EIB) project reveals the critical absence of human rights safeguards in the EU’s overseas development financing.
Putting human rights first at the European Investment Bank. Upcoming opportunities
July 23, 2018
The nearly 1,000 kilometre route connecting Mombasa and Lake Victoria has always been of key importance for the development of Eastern Africa. The narrow, crowded car road is still the main artery of the region. By 2020, the Kenya National Highways Aut
Ombudsman calls for greater transparency of export credit agencies
July 9, 2018
The European Ombudsman has sided with the civil society demanding the European Commission to improve its oversight of the EU Export Credit Agencies (ECAs). The decision upholds an earlier ruling that required the Commission to ensure better compliance of these financial institutions with the EU law.
Nenskra complaint to the European Investment Bank
June 1, 2018
In our opinion, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has failed to comply with the Standard 7 by not respecting the status of Svans as indigenous peoples. The Bank did not fulfill its environmental and social standards: it ignored the project’s significa
Request to the EBRD’s PCM on the Nenskra hydropower project
May 30, 2018
The conclusions of the EBRD’s Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) are not guided by detailed field work and focus group research with the affected communities – indigenous Svans, nor are they based on the robust and objective analysis of
Nenskra hydropower project – May 2018 update
May 10, 2018
The banks have a responsibility to ensure that when they make an investment, they mitigate and avoid situations that put persons at risk. The Nenskra dam in Georgia is one example where the lack of proper environmental and social assessment can potenti
The EBRD strategy for Uzbekistan
May 9, 2018
Changes in the approach to governance put forward by the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev deserve to be encouraged by the international community. It is natural that the EBRD is ready to provide support to a country willing to accelerate reforms. However,
Way off track in Riga, as controversial EU-funded tram project plows ahead
March 7, 2018
Business interests continue to overshadow public concerns with regards to the dubious €100-million tram project in Riga.
