The Bretton Woods Project is a civil society watchdog of the IMF and World Bank. We advocate for a multilateral system that is democratic, inclusive, transparent, accountable, and responsive to people, especially the poorest and most vulnerable.

Latest from the Bretton Woods Project

Gender

Analysis

New IMF gender strategy's potential to catalyse change undermined by austerity and problematic mission creep

IMF’s new gender mainstreaming strategy makes effort to include civil society demands but falls short of transformative vision as austerity remains Fund’s raison-d’état.

8 December 2022

Environment

News

World Bank’s update on Paris alignment fizzles at COP27 as countries demand MDBs evolve to face climate emergency

Despite continued public rhetoric about importance of civil society engagement, Bank is yet to commit to holding a public consultation period on its Paris alignment approach.

8 December 2022

IFI governance

News

Civil society demands the end of the ‘gentleman’s agreement’ and calls for merit-based, open and transparent World Bank presidential selection process

Via e-mail To: World Bank executive directors Cc: World Bank President, David Malpass; Managing Director…

29 March 2023 | Letters

IFI governance

Commentary

BWP's reaction to the resignation of World Bank's President David Malpass

The new World Bank's president should be appointed through a merit-based, transparent process with criteria publicly available and candidates being able to present their platform.

17 February 2023 | Statement

IFI governance

News

A new Bretton Woods? Critical perspectives on the World Bank’s proposed ‘evolution roadmap’ - A public debate

On 6th March 2023, members of civil society, academics and IFI officials joined BWP and the Centre for Sustainable Finance at SOAS for a public debate on the World Bank Group Evolution Roadmap. 

6 March 2023 | Event

Knowledge

Background

Recommended resources on the World Bank and IMF 2022

Bretton Woods Project publishes its selection of the best books, reports and other resources on the World Bank and IMF from 2022.

25 January 2023 | Resource

Other news

Finance

News

UN letter of allegation outlines concerns about the impact of IMF surcharge policy on human rights

Civil society urges IMF to reply to UN letter and finally take action to review its surcharge policy.

8 December 2022

Finance

News

Egypt reaches agreement for IMF programme, but proposals for debt relief are still lacking

Egypt’s new EFF program will likely deepen the country’s debt crisis, instead of helping improve its socioeconomic conditions.

8 December 2022

Finance

News

Chad gets debt rescheduling, not relief, and is left dependent on oil revenues

Chad has reached an agreement to restructure its nearly $3 billion of external debt, unlocking IMF financing, but the deal has been criticised for failing to reduce the country’s overall debt burden.

8 December 2022

IFI governance

News

IMF's Independent Evaluation Office appoints new director and releases 2023 work plan

Changes in leadership have been announced at the WB Independent Evaluation Group and IMF Independent Evaluation Office. Furthermore, the IMF IEO published its 2023 Work plan introducing two new governance evaluations of the IMF’s mandate and its Exceptional Access Policy.

8 December 2022

Accountability

Background

The Bretton Woods Project welcomes new project leads on Financialisation and IFI Governance

Robert Bain and Mihaela Sirițanu join the Project as it expands its focus on financialisation and reform of the Bretton Woods Institutions.

8 December 2022 | Project news

IFI governance

Background

Implications of financial deepening for inequality and its impact on gender, poverty, and marginalization

Notes from a Civil Society Policy Forum panel on 14 October 2022 titled "Implications of financial deepening for inequality and its impact on gender, poverty, and marginalization."

14 October 2022 | Minutes