A historic event, the European Investment Bank opens its doors (a bit)
October 12, 2011
Ahead of a meeting next week that offers a unique chance for discussion with the EIB’s Board of Directors, Bankwatch’s EIB team leader Anna Roggenbuck gives an overview over some of the issues to which she’d like to hear some comments by the bank’s enigmatic leadership.
Contemplating secure and insecure energy supply
September 7, 2011
The EU external energy policy Communication published today by the European Commission continues the decade-long approach of the EU to ensure the unhindered flow of fossil fuel energy supplies to Europe without a real recognition of the problems this drive creates both inside and outside of the EU.
Chercher la femme: gender equality sidelined in international finance
August 10, 2011
Manana Kochladze, Bankwatch’s regional coordinator for the Caucasus and co-author of our new civil society guide Gender and international financial institutions talks about the impacts on women’s lives when big money comes to help “develop” their countries.
EBRD: Don’t open pandora’s box with lignite open cast mine in Serbia
July 4, 2011
Before making any decisions on the planned EUR 80 million loan for the Kolubara lignite mine project in Serbia, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s Board of Directors should take note of the controversy the bank will get involved in. Not only are the climate impacts of lignite well known, but the project is also indirectly connected to the resettlement of nearby residents.
Deja-vu in Belgrade
June 22, 2011
Bankwatch’s coordinator in Serbia Zvezdan Kalmar finds himself in a situation similar to the one when campaigning on the Gazela bridge project: Roma families live in uncertainty about when they’ll be resettled to make way for road construction, all the while with little influence about how decisions are made.
The sun ain’t shining over Khimki Forest
May 4, 2011
The Khimki Forest in Russia might see its end signed and sealed this month. But Russian activists have continued their actions to defend Khimki forest also today by carrying out a citizens’ inspection to prevent the still illegal felling of trees.
20,000 backing Khimki activists calling on Vinci to end involvement in Moscow – St. Petersburg motorway
April 28, 2011
More than 20,000 people have signed a petition to demand Vinci’s withdrawal from the construction of a highway section through the Khimki Forest in Russia.
Campaign against Vinci’s participation in Moscow St. Petersburg motorway project launched
March 30, 2011
While much of the debate around the Moscow St. Petersburg motorway project has centred around the behaviour of the Russian authorities, the Movement to Defend Khimki Forest is now targeting French construction giant Vinci and asking the company not to sign an additional agreement with the Russian authorities, expected in mid-April.
Khimki defender Evgenia Chirikova is a woman of courage, literally now
March 11, 2011
Evgenia Chirikova, the leading figure of the Movement to Defend Khimki Forest has yesterday received the US Woman of Courage Award to honour her relentless efforts to save the Khimki Forest near Moscow from being transformed into a motorway.
Shadow report on discrimination in Serbia doesn’t cast the best light on EIB and EBRD
February 18, 2011
Roma’s discrimination in Serbia is to be discussed by the UN. Serbian member group CEKOR is contributing with experience from the Gazela resettlement process.
