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.
Ombudsman calls for greater transparency of export credit agencies
July 9, 2018
The European Ombudsman has sided with the civil society demanding the European Commission to improve its oversight of the EU Export Credit Agencies (ECAs). The decision upholds an earlier ruling that required the Commission to ensure better compliance of these financial institutions with the EU law.
How the EBRD can seize the day in sustainable development
June 28, 2018
To truly invest in changing lives and preventing human rights violations, the EBRD must ensure that its independent accountability office can conduct rigorous investigations into allegations of abuse in financed projects – and hold itself accountable.
European Ombudsman requests more lending transparency from European Investment Bank
May 24, 2018
Brussels — The European Ombudsman has asked the European Investment Bank (EIB) to increase transparency in its lending activities.
Secrecy of VW fraud report ‘unacceptable’, says MEP
April 23, 2018
Finnish MEP Heidi Hautala won a trailblazing court case two decades ago for the right of EU citizens to receive ‘partial access’ to documents. Now she says it is “outrageous” the European Investment Bank is refusing to release Volkswagen documents. Sou
Six reasons for not financing the Nenskra hydropower project in Georgia
December 5, 2017
This briefing outlines the main issues with the Nenskra hydropower project shortly before both the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank will decide on financing the project.
Comments on the EBRD’s draft Extractive Mining Industries Strategy for 2018-2022
November 20, 2017
Bankwatch’s comments focus on the following areas: Sustainability and the Circular Economy, Transparency Standards, Human Rights, Coal Mining and Climate, Diversification, Resilience and Integration. See also our comments on Thermal and coking coal in
Green Climate Fund’s preference for big players weakens transparency
October 31, 2017
The 18th meeting of the Green Climate Fund in the beginning of October confirmed again that big institutions are getting the biggest share of finances. This time it was the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development who left its mark.
Georgia’s highlanders against hydropower
September 20, 2017
As the Georgian government moves ahead with its plans for increasing the country’s hydropower capacity, local communities are being sidelined in the process of compensation payments.
EU funds in central and eastern Europe: ‘partnership principle’ still not translating to ‘partnership in practice’
August 29, 2017
A new report assesses the state of play with the involvement of civil society partners in EU funds.
