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
Destructive hydropower in southeast Europe
International commercial and public banks have been bankrolling a wave of hydropower projects across Southeast Europe that have damaged pristine rivers, including in protected areas. These financiers need to take their share of the responsibility and stop financing projects in sensitive areas.
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Buk Bijela dam and the Upper Drina cascade
Backed by a state-owned energy company, Buk Bijela has the necessary support and privileges to to be pushed forward in violation of the national legislation and international conventions.
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Shuakhevi hydropower plant, Georgia
Entrusted with leading Georgia towards energy independence, the Shuakhevi plant has achieved anything but. Long after its completion in June 2017, it is as far as it could be from fulfilling its promise for energy security. Instead, it managed to collect an impressive ‘portfolio’ of problems in a wide range of areas: from biodiversity, to gender impacts, to community relations.
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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 …
Position on the Multiannual Financial Framework
Policy comments | 9 July, 2018 | https://bankwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/MFF-postion-papaer-WEB.pdf">Download PDFFor nearly three decades, the EU Budget, and especially sectoral instruments such as the Cohesion Policy, has been a proven catalyst in the fight against climate change and the transition to a low-carbon energy system. By providing public investments i …
The great coal jobs fraud (2018 UPDATE)
Study | 28 June, 2018 | Download PDFThis study, an update of our November 2016 analysis, examines the claims and finds that in almost all cases, they are exaggerated. In fact, even the current levels of employment cannot be maintained and some companies such as Elektroprivreda Srbije and …
Belgrade waste public-private partnership (PPP)
Briefing | 19 June, 2018 | https://bankwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Belgrade-waste-PPP.pdf">Download PDFThe Vinča waste PPP contract between the City of Belgrade and the Suez-Itochu consortium raises numerous issues including the terms of the contract, the waste management model envisaged, and the impacts on the Roma population living on the landfill, as …
MHP corporate support and biogas loans – an update from the field
Briefing | 19 June, 2018 | https://bankwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Bankwatch-issue-paper-MHP-Ukraine.pdf">Download PDFWith over half a billion euros from the EBRD and the IFC, the leading Ukrainian agribusiness giant has grown into a near monopolist in poultry production. The company’s poor track record of stakeholder engagement and accountability towards impacted vi …
