Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Environment

News

As climate crisis bites, World Bank further distances itself from coal

International Finance Corporation announced new ‘green equity’ policy to encourage financial intermediaries to divest from coal, while Bank pulled plug on mooted Kosovo coal project.

6 December 2018

IFI governance

Analysis

Great Expectations a year on: IMF moving the needle on inequality but not yet the gear

One year after Oxfam study, IMF making progress on inequality agenda but still needs a fundamental shift

28 September 2018 | Guest analysis

Infrastructure

News

World Bank reconsiders support for coal in Kosovo

Bank commissions energy options study, which will explore alternate electricity sources.

27 September 2018

Infrastructure

News

Civil society calls on IFC and other MDBs to stop financing damaging Balkan dams

A June petition signed by more than 120,000 people called on IFIs, “to immediately stop funding for projects that are located in protected areas.”

27 September 2018

Accountability

News

Ukraine: Between a rock and IMF conditionality

Alarm bells ringing as Ukraine struggles to meet IMF conditionality on fuel prices and anti-corruption approach criticised

27 September 2018

Private Sector

Analysis

How the Bank’s push for microcredit failed the poor

Originally created to help the poor escape poverty and deprivation, the World Bank became the most important advocate for the commercialised microcredit model. Yet, critics argued it undermined the chances of sustainable and equitable development to create a poverty trap of historic proportions.

8 December 2017 | At Issue

Environment

News

Development banks pump more money into Southern Gas Corridor, despite fresh concerns

EBRD approves €500 million loan for TAP, as Italy announces it will review its support for project

24 July 2018

Accountability

News

CAO accepts complaint related to MIGA guarantee for TANAP

Complaint is latest in a series of environmental & social concerns raised about Southern Gas Corridor

4 April 2018

Knowledge

Analysis

After 15 years, World Bank’s Doing Business Report still missing the mark

CSOs argue DBR’s deregulation policies do not lower income inequality or promote inclusive economic growth, instead incentivising tax competition and undermining inclusive development.

7 December 2017

Infrastructure

News

Azerbaijani Laundromat to sully Bank’s reputation?

Scandal raises new questions about World Bank loans for Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP), after civil society previously raised concerns over human rights violations and the negative environmental impact of the project.

27 September 2017

Conditionality

Analysis

The IMF, Gender Equality and Expenditure Policy

BWP briefing explores gender dimensions of IMF’s key fiscal policy advice on expenditure policy in developing countries, focusing in particular on austerity measures.

21 September 2017 | Briefings

Conditionality

News

IMF Ukraine programme’s impact on women’s rights criticised at Human Rights Council

WILPF submitted a statement to Human Rights Council criticising the IMF's Ukraine programme. The statement argued that the programme's harsh conditionalities hurt women in particular and called for a human rights based approach to macroeconomic policy making.

3 July 2017