Whether in Europe or beyond, public money must not become an auxiliary for human rights violations or the marginalisation of affected communities.
We expose cases where development banks fail to protect those impacted by their projects.
We advocate for participation and consultation processes that are not pro-forma exercises, but a tool to ensure people’s well-being.
Close to frontline communities
We’re in direct contact with affected communities and provide updates from their struggles.
Image (c) Rosa Vroom
Where rights are on the line
Tashlyk pumped storage plant, Ukraine
The Tashlyk pumped storage plant is a massive hydropower project. Its operation extends to protected areas with peculiar microclimate features that are rich in biodiversity and endemic flora. These unique landscapes create a spectacular tourist attraction. The territory is also of great historical and archaeological significance. However, all of this would be flooded if the Tashlyk pumped storage plant expansion project is completed.
The Khada Valley, Georgia
The Khada Valley in Georgia brings together exceptional biodiversity, precious cultural and archeological heritage, and mountainous villages which have preserved rich traditions and historical lifestyles. But all of this might vanish if a 23-kilometer road from Georgia to Russia – the Kvesheti-Kobi project – is built.
Minerals mining and supply chains
Global demand for minerals and other critical raw materials is intensified by the just transition to renewable energy and the digital transformation agenda. Therefore sustainable supply chains of minerals are fundamental to addressing the climate crisis and the Covid-19 crisis that humanity is facing today. The European Union needs to innovate and find solutions to achieve its circular economy and resource use reduction objectives and to meet the demand of EU’s industry and consumers, while still protecting communities and nature threatened by mining.
Latest news
Bern Convention to investigate hydropower damage to the upper Neretva River in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Press release | 3 December, 2021Bosnia and Herzegovina will be subject to a fact-finding mission for its failure to protect the upper Neretva river from eight planned hydropower plants, following a decision taken by the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention (1) today. The Convention’s decision comes in response to a complaint submitted by environmental organisations last year.
Read moreEuropean rivers on RED alert: the VEZ Svoghe case, Bulgaria
Blog entry | 30 November, 2021A series of damaging hydropower plants on the Iskar river shows why the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED) needs to be tightened.
Read moreHeated households based on heat pump technology claim it is a smart, clean and comfortable investment
Blog entry | 24 November, 2021When it comes to tackling the climate crisis, everyone knows we need more electricity from wind and solar. But despite their massive potential to help cut emissions and curb air pollution, heat pumps have not received the same attention.
Read moreRelated publications
‘Uzbekistan’s Anti-Crisis Fund: Analysis of state procurement in 2020
Briefing | 29 November, 2021 | Download PDFIn March 2020, Uzbekistan established an Anti-Crisis Fund to help the state mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the economy. It allocates international loans and state money to ‘finance measures to combat the spread of coronavirus infection, to support
Unsolved problems of the North-South Corridor (Kvesheti-Kobi) Road Project
Briefing | 1 November, 2021 | Download PDFThe North-South Corridor (Kvesheti-Kobi) Road Project is planned to be realized in Georgia. The 23-kilometre Kvesheti-Kobi Road Project is a new section of the North-South Corridor. The construction will impact the Khada Valley, also known as ‘the plac
Public money vs. pristine rivers
Study | 21 October, 2021 | Download PDFAs the EIB revises its Environmental and Social Standards, this report presents eight hydropower schemes in central and eastern Europe either financed or under consideration by the Bank. The projects – some financed directly and others via intermediari
