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
Amulsar gold mine, Armenia
Since 2016 the controversial Amulsar gold mine project is being developed by Armenia’s largest foreign investor, an international mining company Lydian, near the touristic spa town of Jermuk.
Just transition
Working on just transition brings all actors who believe in fair regional redevelopment to the same table: unions, industry, public administration, governments, civil society and others sharing this goal. They should be working together to find what is best for their regions and communities, from creating good quality jobs to identifying sustainable alternatives.
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
Latest news
Ракия за закуска: Недоволството от съдбата на петицията за магистрала Струма
Bankwatch in the media | 10 December, 2019Прeз тaзи ceдмицa кoмиcиятa пo пeтициитe в Eврoпeйcкия пaрлaмeнт нe дaдe хoд нa пeтициятa зa cпирaнe нa cтрoитeлcтвoтo нa cъoтвeтнaтa чacт нa мaгиcтрaлa „Cтрумa“.
Read moreGeorgia campaigners oppose hydro plans
Bankwatch in the media | 9 December, 2019Georgia is planning dozens of new hydroelectric power stations to boost the country’s energy capacity. Although 80 percent of the country’s electricity already comes from hydropower, the government wants more to meet future demand. But affected communi
Read moreМеждународна мисия ще провери на място правителствения проект за път през Кресна
Bankwatch in the media | 6 December, 2019Днес Постоянният комитет на Бернската конвенция е взел решение да засили наблюдението на случая на строителството на магистрала “Струма” през Кресненски пролом.
Read moreRelated publications
Gone with the Flow, A case study of biodiversity loss caused by Ilovac Hydropower plant, Croatia
Case Study | 2 April, 2020 | Download PDFThis case study aims to demonstrate that the EIB’s environmental and social (E&S) and transparency policies are insufficiently equipped to prevent the negative impacts of hydropower plants on sensitive ecosystems, in particular when the hydropower project (1) is financed via an intermediary bank and/or (2) is located outside of the EU.
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
