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
The Khada Valley, Georgia
The Khada Valley in Georgia brings together exceptional biodiversity, precious cultural and archeological heritage, and mountainous villages which have preserved rich traditions and historical lifestyles. But all of this might vanish if a 23-kilometer road from Georgia to Russia – the Kvesheti-Kobi project – is built.
Minerals mining and supply chains
Global demand for minerals and other critical raw materials is intensified by the just transition to renewable energy and the digital transformation agenda. Therefore sustainable supply chains of minerals are fundamental to addressing the climate crisis and the Covid-19 crisis that humanity is facing today. The European Union needs to innovate and find solutions to achieve its circular economy and resource use reduction objectives and to meet the demand of EU’s industry and consumers, while still protecting communities and nature threatened by mining.
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.
Latest news
La Terza Guerra Mondiale sarebbe nucleare
Bankwatch in the media | 2 March, 2022Lo ha dichiarato il ministro degli Esteri russo Sergei Lavrov
Read moreTowards a people-powered, green transformation in Almaty
Blog entry | 16 February, 2022The EBRD must move away from its carbon tunnel vision and widen its perspective on all impacts of climate investments in cities
Read moreNo resolution for Ukrainian villagers after three years of negotiations with agro-giant MHP
Blog entry | 7 February, 2022‘Peaceful negotiations’ between village residents in Vinnytska oblast and Myronivskyi Hliboprodukt (MHP), the largest agribusiness company in Ukraine, have ended abruptly, leaving all issues related to the company’s impacts on local communities unresolved.
Read moreRelated publications
Amulsar: Human Rights Violations and Environmental Negligence in the Search for Gold
Report | 28 June, 2022 | Download PDFThis report sheds light on the human rights violations by the Armenian government and investors, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, in relation to the Amulsar gold mine project.
The veil of secrecy shrouding export credit agencies in central and eastern Europe shows that the EU law on export credits must be strengthened
Briefing | 9 June, 2022 | Download PDFThis briefing highlights the lack of public scrutiny over export credit agencies (ECAs) in central and eastern Europe.
Balancing gender opportunities and risks: Gender impacts of the EBRD’s investments in Uzbekistan
Report | 2 March, 2022 | Download PDFThis report analyses the gender impact of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s (EBRD) portfolio in Uzbekistan.
