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.
We run a helpdesk where activists and communities can get advice on how to challenge controversial projects being considered for funding by development banks.
Close to frontline communities
We’re in direct contact with affected communities and provide updates from their struggles.
Image (c) Rosa Vroom
IN FOCUS
The Reconstruction of Ukraine
The scale of destruction caused by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has been staggering. To repair the damage, joint efforts to coordinate donations and properly plan Ukraine’s reconstruction must start as soon as possible.
A successful reconstruction of Ukraine cannot happen without involvement of the Ukrainian people. That’s why we’re calling on international donors to ensure that the financial structures to help impacted communities are put in place and that civil society groups have a say in this process.
We believe that Ukraine and the international community have a unique opportunity to modernise the country while addressing people’s needs and long-term sustainability.
Amulsar gold mine, Armenia
The controversial Amulsar gold mine near the touristic spa town of Jermuk was supported by the EBRD equity investments, but blocked by locals after the velvet revolution in 2018. In spite of a number of legal threats and intimidation by the company, the blockade continued till the eruption of military conflict overNagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) at the end of 2020.
Myronivsky Hliboproduct (MHP), Ukraine
The leading Ukrainian agribusiness giant has been enjoying generous support in public funds and national subsidies. With over half a billion euros from the EBRD, EIB and the IFC, Myronivsky Hliboproduct PJSC (MHP) has grown into a near monopolist in poultry production. While MHP’s vertically integrated model has contributed to its status as a leading Ukrainian agribusiness, the scale and nature of its business have also contributed to mounting concerns about its social and environmental impacts. These concerns are compounded by patterns of poor community consultation and a lack of information provided about MHP’s operations, leaving project-affected people guessing about the true impacts of its operations.
Corridor Vc motorway, Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Bosnian section of the international Corridor Vc is planned to run for 330 km through Bosnia and Herzegovina. Concerns about environmental impacts and threats to cultural heritage were raised by local people and cultural figures. The public discussions about the project have led to a series of scandals and a deadlock of the motorway’s development.
More of our projects
ARCHIVED: Zombie reactors in Ukraine
While the European Union is trying to help Ukraine’s political transition, Europe’s financial support is cementing the country’s dependence on an outdated and highly unsafe nuclear sector. To avoid further instability and political and environmental risks, European institutions need to offer better oversight and funding for alternative energy sources.
ARCHIVED: Mining boom in Mongolia
With huge amounts of unexploited natural resources (gold, copper, coal and more) the Mongolian economy is estimated to grow massively in the years to come. But will it also benefit the people in Mongolia? Our work shows how mining operations lead to pollution and displacement for local herders and exacerbate water scarcity issues.
ARCHIVED: Kumtor Gold Mine, Kyrgyzstan
The Kumtor open pit gold mine is located in a majestic surrounding in the Kyrgyzstan mountains. It receives continued support by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, despite several accidents in the past and ongoing environmental damages from the mining operations.
Latest news
Lutsk has renovated 29 trolleybuses with the money of the European Investment Bank, but the infrastructure is being modernized slowly
Bankwatch in the media | 19 February, 2026“Despite large-scale financial support from the EIB, urban transport modernization projects are implemented with delays and focus mainly on the purchase of equipment without proper infrastructure development and strategic planning. This reduces the long-term effect for cities,” says Kateryna Melnyk, a specialist in greening investments at Ecoaction and an expert at CEE Bankwatch Network.
Read moreNew equipment, but old infrastructure: how old contact networks can ruin new trolleybuses in Ternopil and reduce the effect of investments
Bankwatch in the media | 18 February, 2026As Kateryna Melnyk emphasizes, in order for international loans to work more efficiently, it is necessary to finance transport comprehensively together with infrastructure, as well as reduce delays in the approval and implementation of projects.
Read moreEUR 400 million urban transport loan: what went wrong and how to fix it
Bankwatch in the media | 17 February, 2026Over the past ten years, Ukraine has received EUR 400 million from the European Investment Bank to modernise urban public transport.
Read moreRelated publications
Civil society proposals for amendments to the Ukraine Plan in light of the Ukraine Support Loan
Policy comments | 18 March, 2026 | Download PDFWe welcome the EU’s continued commitment to supporting Ukraine and meeting its financial requirements through existing financial mechanisms and the additional EUR 90 billion Ukraine Support Loan, which will cover Ukraine’s budgetary needs and ensure investment in the defence sector throughout 2026 and 2027. The loan serves as a vital complement to the support provided by the EU under both the G7 ERA Loans initiative and the Ukraine Facility. We also welcome its concessional design and the intention for interest costs to be covered by the EU budget.
Inclusive waste governance in practice: Report from a fact-finding mission in Berat, Albania
Report | 18 March, 2026 | Download PDFThis report presents the pilot as a successful initiative and a transferable case study that can inform policy and donor programming, as well as future replication in other Albanian municipalities and beyond.
Ukraine’s public investment management reform: Sectoral analysis of the Single Project Pipeline
Report | 20 February, 2026 | Download PDFThe Single Project Pipeline is a core instrument of the national public investment management system, focused on specific investment projects and programmes tied to particular sectors and territories.
