‘Comments noted’, business as usual continues. The marginal public influence on the EBRD’s new mining policy
November 2, 2012
After long delays and more than 3 years of preparation the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has finally completed and published a policy for its operations in the mining sector. Both the consultation process and the final outcome must leave “the consulted stakeholders” disappointed.
European public banks must improve transparency
October 1, 2012
Brussels – The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) score low on transparency according to the ‘2012 Aid Transparency Index’ [1] published today by the campaign group ‘Publish What You Fund’.
Spot the difference: Alstom in Indonesia and Slovenia
July 31, 2012
The company hired to build a new unit at the Sostanj lignite power plant is involved in strikingly similar corruption cases across continents.
Between the headlines: EBRD expansion demands policy-driven approach
June 14, 2012
With the European Parliament’s ratification of the expansion of EBRD operations to north Africa the question arises again: Is the bank fit for this purpose? The Parliament’s answer sounds like a resounding ‘maybe’.
Chernobyl at 26: nuclear dynamite is growing in Ukraine
April 26, 2012
26 years ago, the days after the nuclear accident in Chernobyl had been marked by the glaring lack of information. Today, Europe’s population is similarly clueless as back then about the nuclear risk brewing in Ukraine.
Enhancing the partnership principle and transparency in the future Cohesion Policy
March 15, 2012
The European Commission’s proposed European Code of Conduct has the potential to become a major tool for securing effective partnership, transparency and public participation under the Cohesion Policy. This briefing contains recommendations to further support and realise this potential.
Five ways to bring Cohesion Policy closer to citizens
November 17, 2011
By allowing open and inclusive consultations on the future Cohesion Policy, Latvia is not only devising its national position in a more democratic way than other EU Member States. It is also setting an example for actually getting people interested in it.
Enhancing transparency, the partnership principle and public participation in the future Cohesion Policy
November 15, 2011
The partnership principle, public participation and transparency are interlinked and basic democratic principles, essential to good governance and sustainable development. They are necessary for Cohesion Policy to ensure that needs and priorities of the people in Europe are effectively taken into account. We believe improvement is needed to implement these values in the EU funds cycle, specifically with regards to the implementation and development of the European Code of Conduct.
What’s the real danger for Cohesion Policy: wrong accounting or wrong results?
November 10, 2011
The proper financial management of EU funds is important to avoid fraud and illegitimate spending. Yet more important is the quality of the funded projects.
Haircuts for eurozone citizens? A closer look at the EFSF
October 27, 2011
The European Financial Stability Facility is a crucial element of eurozone leaders’ proposed solution to the debt crisis. But behind the shining EUR 1 trillion armour of the EFSF lurks an institution that could bring further mayhem as a closer look by Bankwatch’s alternative economics coordinator Roman Havlicek reveals.
