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
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
Armenia breaks international agreement on biodiversity over gold mine funding, alleges complaint
Press release | 30 March, 2020Yerevan – The Armenian government has jeopardised three natural sites slated for protection for their unique biodiversity by moving ahead with plans for the USD 426 million Amulsar gold mine, finds a new complaint filed at the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, known as the ‘Bern Convention.’
Read moreLegal challenge mounted against subsidies for Belgrade waste incinerator
Press release | 2 March, 2020Serbia’s Ne Davimo Beograd movement has submitted two complaints to the Energy Community Secretariat, challenging government decisions for the Suez-Itochu consortium’s 340,000 tonnes-per-year municipal waste incinerator in Belgrade (1).
Read moreJust can’t get enough judgements: Croatian export bank still firmly riding the waves of opacity
Blog entry | 30 January, 2020The Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) has recently started another court case against the decision of Croatia’s Information Commissioner before the High Administrative Court. In the contested decision, the Commissioner ordered HBOR to disclose information about its export credit projects to the environmental organization Green Istria. This court case adds to no fewer than 31 appeals that HBOR started against similar decisions by the Commissioner between 2015-2019. It lost all of them.
Read moreRelated publications
What can the new European Parliament expect on the ICT agenda
Briefing | 31 October, 2019 | Download PDFThe production of ICT has a huge impact on the environment, climate change, human rights and working conditions along global supply chains in the Global South. This document aims to provide information to Members of the European Parliament about sustai
Western Balkans hydropower: who pays, who profits?
Study | 25 September, 2019 | Download PDFIn the last decade, a wave of hydropower construction in the Western Balkans has caused ever-increasing public outcry. Large hydropower projects have long caused public resistance, but the mushrooming of smaller plants of less than 10 megawatts (MW) in
