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
Southern Gas Corridor
This system of mega-pipelines meant to bring gas from Azerbaijan to Europe, is unnecessary for Europe’s declining gas demand. But the billions in public investments will boost Azerbaijan’s dictatorial regime and cause upheaval for transit communities in Turkey, Greece, Albania and Italy.
Nenskra hydropower plant, Georgia
The Nenskra dam is the most advanced of Georgia’s massive plans for hydropower installations in the Upper Svaneti region. It will deprive the local community, ethnic Svans, of lands and livelihoods, but potential negative impacts have not been properly assessed.
Mombasa-Mariakani road project, Kenya
Locals affected by the road project are facing forceful eviction and have not been properly consulted or compensated. The project promoter reacts to criticism with intimidation.
Latest news
Tightening EBRD policies to counter Ukrainian agro giant
Blog entry | 24 April, 2018Myronivsky Hliboproduct PJSC (MHP), the Ukrainian agribusiness conglomerate owned by one of the country’s richest men, has been getting away with disregard for national regulations, EU law and the EBRD’s performance standards. Bankwatch is calling for the EBRD to strengthen human rights due diligence, as it revises its safeguard policies, to prevent MHP and others from misusing public funds.
Read moreDu gaz azéri pour l’Europe
Bankwatch in the media | 18 April, 2018L’indépendance énergétique de l’Europe. Tout un programme, et en ces temps de tension extrême avec Moscou, tout projet qui vise à réduire notre dépendance au gaz russe est plus que bienvenu. C’est le cas du Corridor gazier sud-européen, 3 500 km de tuy …
Read moreStatement on today’s General Affairs Council
Press release | 12 April, 2018“Today, the EU’s European affairs ministers have missed the opportunity to pave the way for a sustainable and ambitious Cohesion Policy,” says Raphael Hanoteaux, CEE Bankwatch Network’s EU Policy Officer.
Read moreRelated publications
Comments on the EBRD safeguard policies
Policy comments | 11 April, 2018 | Download PDFRelying on its experience in monitoring EBRD projects in recent years, Bankwatch re-assessed the EBRD Public Information Policy (PIP) and Environmental and Social Policy (ESP). EBRD Public Information Policy (PIP) 2014 General comments Specific comment …
Answer to the European Commission’s reply regarding The Best Laid Plans
Policy comments | 26 March, 2018 | Download PDF1. The EFSI regulation lists seven general objectives (sectors) open to funding: energy transport infrastructure and equipment research, development and innovation small, medium and small mid-cap companies information and telecommunication technology e …
Comments on the existing EBRD Energy Sector Strategy from 2013
Policy comments | 27 February, 2018 | Download PDFBankwatch reviewed the EBRD’s energy lending during the strategy period and used this lens to look at the text of the bank’s 2013 Energy Strategy: what needs to be continued and strengthened and what needs to be changed. The focus is on priority issues …
