Of CNN, Hydropower, and Albania’s Valbona Valley
August 14, 2019
The Albanian news partner is owned by a company in a bitter fight with conservationists. Is that a problem? Of CNN, Hydropower, and Albania’s Valbona Valley
Environmentalism and democracy on the rise in Albania
August 1, 2018
Public participation is a prerequisite to functioning democracy. Environmental justice is crucial to sustainable development. But in Albania, a small, southeastern European country only recently emerging from decades-long, self-imposed isolation, democracy is still struggling to be born, and suffers from often being confused with unchecked capitalism.
Azerbaijan suspended from the EITI – a Bankwatch and Counter Balance statement
March 10, 2017
A decision to suspend Azerbaijan’s membership in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) adopted yesterday (Mar 9) is the latest reminder for international financial institutes to avoid supporting the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) project.
Going abroad – a critique of the European Investment Bank’s External Lending Mandate
November 18, 2016
This report analyses how and if the European Investment Bank (EIB) is fulfilling its development role under the so-called External Lending Mandate (ELM) for the period 2014-2020. It sheds light on the more questionable quality and effectiveness of EIB operations and on the neglected areas of the bank’s performance outside Europe, such as transparency and access to information practices, its attitude towardstax evasion and tax dodging, human rights due diligence.
The EU bank’s dubious overseas development experience shows it cannot be a key player in Europe’s response to the plight of refugees – report
November 18, 2016
The EIB is increasingly given a prominent role in the EU’s response to the so-called refugee crisis stretching the bank’s operations well beyond its current mandate for overseas investments. Yet, a new report by Counter Balance and CEE Bankwatch Network takes a closer look at projects the EU’s house bank has been financing outside Europe to find a dismal track record on a range of issues from transparency to human rights. This, the report authors say, should serve as a warning sign for the European Parliament and Council as they consider boosting the bank’s mandate.
Here be dragons: How the EU bank’s development finance overlooks people at risk
November 18, 2016
The European Investment Bank’s failure in safeguarding the most vulnerable groups in its projects shows it is ill-equipped to help refugees and host communities in the European Union’s neighbourhood. A new report explains the bank’s weaknesses in identifying and responding to human rights risks.
European development bank raises $391m through debut equity fund
September 21, 2016
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has raised €350m ($391m) in the first round of fundraising for its debut Equity Participation Fund. The fund aims to attract long term institutional capital into the private sector of those countries
For European development bank democracy is an afterthought
September 19, 2016
Almost one in four euros lent by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in 2015 went to authoriatrian countries. The bank has clearly decided to ignore its own mandate, or else it would have to considerably shrink its business.
Lost in transition: Far-reaching changes needed as European bank marks 25 years
April 11, 2016
On April 15, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will be marking its 25th anniversary. Reflecting on two decades of monitoring the EBRD’s policies and projects, a new report from CEE Bankwatch Network raises concerns about a growing gap between the bank’s operations and its mandate.
Lost in transition – 25 years of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
April 11, 2016
This report examines a selection of cases monitored by CEE Bankwatch Network and its partners in recent years and highlights some of the weaknesses observed in the EBRD’s approach to environmental, social, democracy and development issues. On 15 April 2016 the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will mark its 25th anniversary. This opportunity should kick-start a debate about what the London-based public bank has achieved since it started operations in 1991 and to reflect on its future.
