BWP briefing explores gender dimensions of IMF’s key fiscal policy advice on expenditure policy in developing countries, focusing in particular on austerity measures.
Analysis
Land
Analysis
IFC investments implicated in land grabs in Africa
IFC investments through financial intermediary investments linked to land grabs and displacement in Africa. CSOs critique proposed changes to IFC lending policies.
Finance
Analysis
Development to the rescue of finance – the Bank’s 'cascade' approach
World Bank unveils cascade concept that privileges private over public finance. De-risking in order to attract private sector investments threatens to shift risks to public sector and result in third wave of privatisation.
Conditionality
Analysis
The truth behind IMF’s claims to promote social protection in low-income countries
Newly published self-congratulatory IMF policy paper on impacts of loan programmes on social protection is self-referential and ignores available evidence.
IFI governance
Analysis
Spring meetings 2017: communiqués coverage
Analysis of the official communiqués from the 2017 World Bank-IMF spring meetings, Washington DC.
Gender
Analysis
The IMF, Gender Equality and VAT
BWP briefing explores gender dimensions of IMF’s key fiscal policy advice on resource mobilisation in developing countries, in particular on Value-Added Tax.
IFI governance
Analysis
World Bank-IMF spring meetings 2017
Bretton Woods Project coverage of the 2017 spring meetings in Washington DC with analysis of the communiqués and notes from key civil society and official meetings.
Accountability
Analysis
How will the World Bank reform after its disastrous Uganda transport project?
The World Bank closed a Uganda road project after serious problems were revealed, however, civil society remain concerned that the Bank’s response will not lead to meaningful change.
Accountability
Analysis
IFC 3.0: superficial upgrades, same problems?
As the IFC sets out a new strategy, CAO and CSO reports have raised further criticism over its investment in financial intermediaries, and a new law suit challenges its immunity.
Social services
Analysis
IFC investments in basic education: marginalising the poorest
As the IFC increases investments in for-profit, commercial education, CSO RESULTS finds this marginalises the poor and calls on the IFC to enhance free public education instead.
Social services
Analysis
World Bank undermines right to universal healthcare
The IFC’s push for the PPP model, as well as its preference for healthcare ‘provision’ and the results-based payment approach, collectively undermine the human right to universal healthcare and the achievement of the SDGs.
Finance
Analysis
IMF and debt restructuring: just talk?
An IMF staff blog has acknowledged weaknesses in IMF’s approach to debt sustainability, meanwhile civil society continues to demand human rights-based approach considering who bears burden of debt repayment.
Featured briefings
6 April 2022
The Bretton Woods Observer: Spring 2022
8 December 2021
The Bretton Woods Observer: Winter 2021
8 November 2021
IMF surveillance and climate change transition risks
New briefing by ActionAid USA and the Bretton Woods Project highlights research showing that IMF policy advice has undermined a just energy transition since the Paris Agreement was signed.