A walk on the wild side
November 18, 2019
The EBRD-financed Green Boulevard project in Belgrade, Serbia, has long attracted criticism from groups like Streets for Cyclists, who have pointed out that it will include no cycling lanes, and will slow down public transport by letting cars drive on the tram tracks. But now it is under construction, a whole new slew of problems have come up.
EBRD tightens standards in response to Balkan hydropower boom
May 16, 2019
As a result of public resistance to small-scale hydropower projects in the Balkans, from the beginning of 2020, the EBRD will ask commercial banks to refer all high-risk projects – including all hydropower plants – for additional checks. The EBRD also requires them to meet higher environmental standards than previously. The bank will ask that such projects are disclosed to the public on the financial intermediary’s website, finally increasing disclosure on these hitherto hidden projects.
The loan that made sense until it didn’t
May 11, 2018
During the annual meetings of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the bank is the subject of a complaint for policy violations via a EUR 200 million loan to Serbia’s state-owned energy utility: money earmarked to prepare the fossil fuels-based company for the realities of adhering to stricter EU legislation will instead enable it to extract and burn even more fossil fuels.
EBRD Annual Meeting 2019 – Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
April 30, 2018
EBRD Annual Meeting 2019 Empowering communities to be heard. Protecting whistleblowers and pushing back against the threat of violence, intimidation and attacks on free speech and assembly. Preserving the environment. Subscribe for updates
Tightening EBRD policies to counter Ukrainian agro giant
April 24, 2018
Myronivsky Hliboproduct PJSC (MHP), the Ukrainian agribusiness conglomerate owned by one of the country’s richest men, has been getting away with disregard for national regulations, EU law and the EBRD’s performance standards. Bankwatch is calling for the EBRD to strengthen human rights due diligence, as it revises its safeguard policies, to prevent MHP and others from misusing public funds.
Comments on the EBRD safeguard policies
April 11, 2018
Relying on its experience in monitoring EBRD projects in recent years, Bankwatch re-assessed the EBRD Public Information Policy (PIP) and Environmental and Social Policy (ESP). EBRD Public Information Policy (PIP) 2014 General comments Specific comment
Money flows, rivers dry
March 22, 2018
Erste, Sberbank and the EBRD have been fueling the destruction of 27 km of rivers in the region of Josanicka banja, on the borders of the Kopaonik National Park in Serbia. It is a stark warning how the future of the Balkans might look if uncontrolled investment continues.
Comments on the existing EBRD Energy Sector Strategy from 2013
February 27, 2018
Bankwatch reviewed the EBRD’s energy lending during the strategy period and used this lens to look at the text of the bank’s 2013 Energy Strategy: what needs to be continued and strengthened and what needs to be changed. The focus is on priority issues
[Campaign update] More EBRD cash for Georgia dams should be cautionary tale for other development banks
February 5, 2018
The European Investment Bank is set to decide on the billion dollar Nenskra dam project during its board meeting today.
New study shutters EU claims on climate benefits from flagship energy project
January 30, 2018
The controversial Southern Gas Corridor, the EU’s flagship energy project, could be as emissions-intensive as coal power or even more, a new study reveals.
