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
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.
Amulsar gold mine, Armenia
Since 2016 the controversial Amulsar gold mine project is being developed by Armenia’s largest foreign investor, an international mining company Lydian, near the touristic spa town of Jermuk.
Latest news
Amulsar’s costs to human rights and threats to environmental defenders
Blog entry | 4 August, 2022Armenia’s government and investors have failed to prevent human rights abuses related to the Amulsar gold mine. As we await the outcome of an EBRD investigation, environmental and human rights defenders continue to face threats. New reports show how the policies that should protect human rights and environmental defenders have failed to stop a project whose costs outweigh the benefits.
Read moreEIB Global: new branding, old problems
Blog entry | 20 July, 2022With the launch of its new development branch EIB Global, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has shown its appetite for becoming a significant player in the field of development finance. However, without a major change in the Bank’s management and the shareholders’ approach to the impacts of its operations, EIB Global will remain a public relations exercise and a lost cause.
Read moreThe real cost of hydropower plants in Central Asia and the Caucasus
Blog entry | 12 July, 2022International financial institutions’ support for hydropower in Central Asia and Caucasus is fuel for environmental damage and human rights violations.
Read moreRelated publications
Suggestions for donor interventions to help the green post-war reconstruction of Ukraine
Briefing | 28 July, 2022 | Download PDFThis briefing gathers practical suggestions for consolidating international efforts around the idea of a sustainable post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.
Amulsar: Human Rights Violations and Environmental Negligence in the Search for Gold
Report | 28 June, 2022 | Download PDFThis report sheds light on the human rights violations by the Armenian government and investors, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, in relation to the Amulsar gold mine project.
The veil of secrecy shrouding export credit agencies in central and eastern Europe shows that the EU law on export credits must be strengthened
Briefing | 9 June, 2022 | Download PDFThis briefing highlights the lack of public scrutiny over export credit agencies (ECAs) in central and eastern Europe.
