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
Export Credit Agencies (ECAs)
With many billions of dollars at their disposal, export credit agency finance far outpaces that of development banks and yet avoids the same public scrutiny. Most money flows into large infrastructure projects in politically-volatile countries that oft
Boskov most hydropower plant, North Macedonia
Boskov Most was one of 18 hydropower greenfield projects planned by the North Macedonian government in the Mavrovo National Park. After five years of campaigning, we convinced the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development about the folly of this project and to cancel its EUR 65 million loan. Without its major source of funding, the project lost steam and was discontinued.
Kresna gorge / Struma motorway, Bulgaria
The Struma motorway is tragically emblematic of an EU-funded project that has wrought havoc on European biodiversity and the wishes of local communities. In spite of two decades of protest by civil society and citizens, part of the Struma motorway section is planned directly through the Kresna gorge, a Natura 2000 site and Bulgaria’s richest biodiversity hotspot.
Latest news
Groundhog day: Third public consultation for Belgrade incinerator environmental studies and still no circular economy in sight
Blog entry | 1 October, 2020Construction of Belgrade’s Vinča incinerator officially started last year, so why have Serbian authorities opened a new public consultation on an updated environmental study? Annulling all previous approvals immediately is the only way to give this process any integrity.
Read moreAny increase in renewable energy targets must exclude environmentally destructive projects
Blog entry | 29 September, 2020Raising renewable energy targets alone will not be enough to reduce GHG emissions in a sustainable manner. The Commission must also match this with tighter criteria for hydropower and biomass projects.
Read moreWorlds Rivers Day: Save European free-flowing rivers – end subsidies for small hydropower
Press release | 27 September, 2020WWF and Bankwatch are calling for governments to end feed-in tariffs that are driving the small hydropower plant explosion in the Balkans threatening to destroy Europe’s last free-flowing rivers.
Read moreRelated publications
Green City Action Plan for Tbilisi – A Mere Formality?
Study | 31 July, 2020 | Download PDFTbilisi is a city of more than 1.2 million people,1 characterized by serious environmental challenges in terms of air, water and soil pollution. It also experiences problems with urban planning and mobility. This briefing analyses the lack of integration in international efforts to make Tbilisi a greener, more sustainable place to live.
CEE Bankwatch Network submission to the EIB Climate Roadmap 2021-2025
Policy comments | 9 July, 2020 | Download PDFCEE Bankwatch Network submission to the EIB Climate Roadmap 2021-2025
Urgent call to take steps to become the EU Climate Bank
Advocacy letter | 24 June, 2020 | Download PDFJoint civil society letter: Urgent call to take steps to become the EU Climate Bank – Status quo is not an option
