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
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.
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
Last call for EU bank to uphold UN treaty on transparency
Blog entry | 19 May, 2021For too long, transparency and public participation have been a low priority for the European Investment Bank (EIB). Now it appears the world’s largest international lender is even in breach of international environmental law on access to information and public participation.
Read moreCzechia, Greensill and why more openness is needed from its export agencies
Blog entry | 19 May, 2021State support for exports is one part of a national budget where citizens are not sufficiently informed about how their taxes are being spent, and this is problematic given the vast financial flows to investments with questionable results.
Read moreHow shared mobility can curb the hidden costs of reducing carbon emission with electric cars
Blog entry | 6 May, 2021Mining raw materials such as cobalt or lithium for information and communications technologies (ICT) or decarbonized mobility comes with a hefty environmental, social, and human rights price tag. With Europe’s green and digital transformation topping the Portuguese EU presidency, besides driving innovations in the transportation sector, clear policies and funds are needed to encourage reduced resource consumption while making supply chains of these minerals fair and sustainable.
Read moreRelated publications
An ambitious vision for European wildlife. Suggestions to the draft Vision and Strategic Plan for the Bern Convention for the period to 2030.
Policy comments | 21 May, 2021 | Download PDFFriends of the Earth Europe (FOEE) and CEE Bankwatch Network submitted joint suggestions to the draft Vision and Strategic Plan for the period to 2030 of the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats. The final text
The Romanian renewable energy sector: a potential still untapped
Study | 8 April, 2021 | Download PDFThis report assesses the development of the Romanian renewable energy sector, identifies the main public policies needed to support this sector and offers recommendations to ensure the sustainable growth of the sector until 2030. The European Green Dea
Tashlyk hydro pumped storage plant, Ukraine
Briefing | 7 April, 2021 | Download PDFOn 12 May 2020, the European Investment Bank (EIB) announced that it is considering financing the completion of the Tashlyk hydro pumped storage plant (HPSP) project. The Ukrainian state-owned enterprise National Nuclear Energy Generating Company (Ener
