From a grassroots to the international level …
We’re the largest network of grassroots, environmental and human rights groups in central and eastern Europe.
We monitor public finance institutions that are responsible for hundreds of billions of investments across the globe. The banks and funds we watch are often obscure but always important entities that function outside public scrutiny.
Together with local communities and other NGOs we work to expose their influence and provide a counterbalance to their unchecked power. 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.
CAMPAIGN AREAS
INSTITUTIONS WE MONITOR
OUR PROJECTS

Skavica hydropower plant, Albania
Instead of increasing its energy security, Albania is pushing the construction of yet more hydropower. The Skavica project may flood several villages, displace thousands of people and bring the Balkan lynx to extinction
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The Reconstruction of Ukraine
The scale of destruction caused by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has been staggering. To repair the damage, joint efforts to coordinate donations and properly plan Ukraine’s reconstruction must start as soon as possible. A successful reconstruction of Ukraine cannot happen without involvement of the Ukrainian people. That’s why we’re calling on international donors to ensure that the financial structures to help impacted communities are put in place and that civil society groups have a say in this process. We believe that Ukraine and the international community have a unique opportunity to modernise the country while addressing people’s needs and long-term sustainability.
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After recovery towards cohesion
For the first time, the EU climate ambition is backed by an unprecedented financial package. The recovery and cohesion policy funds are planned to be two major components to accelerate the energy transition and reach towards climate neutrality by 2050. Bankwatch makes sure these EU funds support transformative and sustainable investments that advance energy consumption reduction, sustainable renewables and smart grids, ideally owned by communities.
Read morePublications
The European Investment Bank: Accountable Only to the Market?
Study | 31 December, 1999 | Download PDFInternational financial institutions (IFIs) around the world have been asked in recent years to take on new policy issues, in an effort to improve their performance and transparency. Many have made a concerted effort to do so, although to mixed reviews. One important exception is the European Investment Bank (EIB), a secretive bank of the European Union (EU). When other IFIs are taking steps to address these policy issues, the EIB has shown the least amount of change.
Bankwatch Mail 4
Bankwatch Mail | 7 November, 1999 | Download PDFIn this issue dedicated to participation: Balkan Groups Cite Investment Priorities for Post-War Reconstruction *Delta Lloyd Said NO to Nuclear Investment *Paving Over Public Participation *EU Accession: Is Anyone Thinking of Alternatives? *Czech Public Concerned By EU Pre-Accession Funding *CEE Bankwatch Network Goes West *EIB Supported Project in Storm of Corruption *Estonia to Lower Emission Standards? *Lithuanian Greens Stop Construction of Airport in Curonian Spit National Park *New Coal Power Station in Georgia *Macedonia to Become a Medical Waste Dump for the Balkans?
Bankwatch Mail 2
Bankwatch Mail | 2 August, 1999 | Download PDFIn this EIB Issue: EIB – Eminence Grease of Europe * EIB: Europe’s Biggest Bulldozer * EIB Highway In Bulgaria * World Bank And Lithuanian Airport * Who In Ukraine Wants Nuclear Reactors?
Bankwatch Mail 3
Bankwatch Mail | 2 August, 1999 | Download PDFIn this World Bank AGM issue: Balkan Reconstruction * EIA In Estonia * Lithuanian Airport * Nuclear Reactors In Eastern Europe * Energy Efficiency Funds Unused In Ukraine
Bankwatch Mail 1
Bankwatch Mail | 1 April, 1999 | Download PDFIn this EBRD issue: EBRD Bankers Gone Crazy? * Rushing For Caspian Oil * Kumtor’s Gold * K2/R4 * Nuclear Safety Account