From a grassroots to the international level …
We investigate the impacts of public finance, work with affected communities and local organisations across the world and help them protect their rights and livelihoods. We make sure their stories are being told in Europe’s power centers.
We regularly meet representatives of the institutions we monitor and we’re in Brussels, too, doing our bit to make Europe a fairer, cleaner and sustainable place.
Alternative news
We expose the risks of international public finance and bring critical updates from the ground.
We believe that the billions of public money should work for people and the environment.
FOCUS AREAS
INSTITUTIONS WE MONITOR
OUR PROJECTS
Myronivsky Hliboproduct (MHP), Ukraine
The leading Ukrainian agribusiness giant has been enjoying generous support in public funds and national subsidies. With over half a billion euros from the EBRD, EIB and the IFC, Myronivsky Hliboproduct PJSC (MHP) has grown into a near monopolist in poultry production. While MHP’s vertically integrated model has contributed to its status as a leading Ukrainian agribusiness, the scale and nature of its business have also contributed to mounting concerns about its social and environmental impacts. These concerns are compounded by patterns of poor community consultation and a lack of information provided about MHP’s operations, leaving project-affected people guessing about the true impacts of its operations.
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Coal in the Balkans
In contrast to most EU countries, governments across southeast Europe plan new lignite power plants during the next few years. All the projects have serious economic, environmental and legal weaknesses, which would burden electricity consumers and taxpayers for years to come.
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Southern Gas Corridor
This system of mega-pipelines meant to bring gas from Azerbaijan to Europe, is unnecessary for Europe’s declining gas demand. But the billions in public investments will boost Azerbaijan’s dictatorial regime and cause upheaval for transit communities in Turkey, Greece, Albania and Italy.
Read morePublications
Comments on the draft EBRD Agribusiness Sector Strategy
Policy comments | 12 September, 2018 | https://bankwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Comments-on-the-draft-EBRD-Agribusiness-Sector-Strategy.pdf">Download PDFThese comments focus on the sustainability of EBRD investments, the need for better governance in the sector (both corporate and institutional), on issues that the draft Strategy is missing and needs to include or define better. While the draft inclu …
Energy doublethink: contradictions at the EU bank in combatting climate change
Study | 11 September, 2018 | https://bankwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/EIB-energy-policy-review-FULL.pdf">Download PDFThis year the European Investment Bank is expected to review its 2013 ‘Screening and Assessment Criteria for Energy Projects’, also known as its Energy Lending Criteria, which governs the types of projects the bank can finance in the energy sector. The …
Comments on the EBRD’s draft Country Strategy for Uzbekistan
Policy comments | 22 August, 2018 | https://bankwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/UZ-draft-country-strategy-BWcomments-Aug18.pdf">Download PDFWe 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 …
Putting human rights first at the European Investment Bank. Upcoming opportunities
Briefing | 23 July, 2018 | https://bankwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/BRIEFING-JULY-2018-BWN-CB-PGN-EIB-and-Human-Rights.pdf">Download PDFThe nearly 1,000 kilometre route connecting Mombasa and Lake Victoria has always been of key importance for the development of Eastern Africa. The narrow, crowded car road is still the main artery of the region. By 2020, the Kenya National Highways Aut …
Environmental problems of Shuakhevi Hydro Power Plant, Adjara, Georgia
Briefing | 23 July, 2018 | https://bankwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Report_Shuakhevi_HPP_environmental_problems.pdf">Download PDFThe 184 MW Shuakhevi Hydro Power Plant is under construction on the Adjaristsqali river and two of its main tributaries in the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, Georgia. The design envisages it as a run-of-the-river plant with capacity of diurnal storage …
