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
Checking in on Waste Management Projects in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan
Bankwatch in the media | 27 December, 2022The EBRD is facilitating the introduction of green technologies, waste recovery and recycling systems in both countries, but more …
Read moreAko pomôcť s obnovou ukrajinského poľnohospodárstva: Poučenie pre banky
Bankwatch in the media | 20 December, 2022Prípad agrogiganta, ktorý za peniaze od medzinárodných investorov rozširuje svoju výrobu na ukrajinskom vidieku, ukazuje, prečo musia …
Read morePublic Participation, the Achilles Heel of International Investments in Uzbekistan
Bankwatch in the media | 15 December, 2022People living in the settlements adjacent to landfills slated for expansion under an EBRD project were not adequately consulted.
Read moreRelated publications
Joint civil society statement: Making human rights a true priority of the EIB
Policy comments | 14 October, 2021 | Download PDFThis joint civil society statement prepared by 12 civil society organisations outlines our recommendations for integrating human rights into the EIB’s Environmental and Social Sustainability Framework, by proposing specific improvements to the Policy a
Trouble in the air: EIB ignores environmental and social burdens caused by Budapest Airport expansion
Study | 11 October, 2021 | Download PDFThe Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is located 16 kilometres from the centre of Budapest. With a licence for a capacity of 6 million passengers per year and 15 million in the peak year of 2019, new plans to develop the airport aim to increa
Why can a third of European Investment Bank lending evade the Bank’s environmental and social rules?
Briefing | 21 September, 2021 | Download PDFThe European Investment Bank’s (EIB) financial intermediaries (FIs) help the EIB to reach smaller clients than it would otherwise be able to finance. The EIB’s global lending via intermediaries amounted to EUR 22.6 billion in 2020. In the EU, credit li
