Kenya energy project exposes the dark side of EU development funds
October 14, 2021
A third of the European Investment Bank (EIB) portfolio in 2020 went through financial intermediaries, a channel that has already enabled …
Last call for EU bank to uphold UN treaty on transparency
May 19, 2021
For too long, transparency and public participation have been a low priority for the European Investment Bank (EIB). Now it appears the world’s largest international lender is even in breach of international environmental law on access to information and public participation.
EU bank failing on transparency and openness, warns civil society
March 11, 2021
Brussels – The European Investment Bank (EIB) is a laggard among its lending peers in terms of the amount of information it provides about its activities, finds a new analysis.The 53 civil society groups behind this analysis — including CEE Bankwatch Network, Counter Balance, Client Earth and many more — are urging the Bank to be more open about the impacts of its financing.
Step into the light: transparency review at EU bank can end culture of secrecy
March 11, 2021
The European Investment Bank, one of the largest lenders globally, is currently working on a new transparency policy that will govern how and what information the bank makes public. As the EU’s house bank, the EIB must guarantee the right of all citizens to access information held by public bodies.
Will the EBRD Make a Better Offer on Public Information Disclosure and Engagement?
March 28, 2019
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will soon conclude the revision of three policies central to the environmental and social governance of its projects: the Access to Information Policy, Environmental and Social Policy, and Project Accountability Policy. Together, these three documents will form the core of the institution’s protocols ensuring communities’ right to information, right to development, and right to remedy.
New report highlights misuse of banking secrecy rules
March 26, 2019
BankTrack’s study finds that client confidentiality is not an absolute legal requirement in any of the world’s major banking centres. Banks can – and do – include the right to disclose information into their contracts. Will the EIB & EBRD acknowledge this in their policies on intermediated lending?
EIB and Volkswagen keen to return to business as usual
March 7, 2019
Long overdue, and short on content, a compact version of the investigation report on the role of EIB money in the Dieselgate scandal affirms Bankwatch’s revelations that helped trigger this important inquiry. But in its aftermath, there is little to suggest that the EU’s bank has done anything to ensure that the public money it manages will not be misused.
New investigation in Kresna gorge reveals another major breach of law
February 15, 2019
An independent investigation by a Bulgarian TV channel bTV discovered progressing construction works in the Kresna gorge area even though the official procurement procedure is still ongoing.
European Investment Bank and financial intermediaries: key issues and way forward
September 30, 2018
Counter Balance, Bankwatch and partners have identified a persistent lack of transparency and assessment of the economic, environmental and social impact of the EIB’s intermediated operations, which may undermine development impacts. So far they have n
Comments on the EBRD’s draft Country Strategy for Uzbekistan
August 22, 2018
We call on the EBRD to outline in the Uzbekistan Country Strategy a new strategic approach or a comprehensive plan for supporting Uzbekistan’s ambitious reform path in the areas of Good governance and protection of rights and freedoms of citizens. The
