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Rights, democracy and development

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.

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We’re in direct contact with affected communities and provide updates from their struggles.





Image (c) Rosa Vroom

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Development banks and human rights defenders

Increasingly, individuals, communities and civil society organisations who speak out about development activities are finding themselves under attack. Development banks have a responsibility to ensure that their activities do not cause or contribute to human rights violations.

Where rights are on the line

Shuakhevi hydropower plant, Georgia

Entrusted with leading Georgia towards energy independence, the Shuakhevi plant has achieved anything but. Long after its completion in June 2017, it is as far as it could be from fulfilling its promise for energy security. Instead, it managed to collect an impressive ‘portfolio’ of problems in a wide range of areas: from biodiversity, to gender impacts, to community relations.


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.


A stylised map of south-east Europe and the Caucasus that shows the route of the Southern Gas Corridor.

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.


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