IMF proposes a grassroots communication strategy to convince the public of the need for further austerity measures as publications reveal fear that social unrest will make reforms ‘unimplementable’.
Macroeconomic policy
Finance
News
IMF capital control review: A missed opportunity to support a just recovery and stability
IMF review of institutional view on capital controls disappoints as it largely maintains the policy framework of its predecessor
Conditionality
News
Nigerians set for higher bills as Bank pushes for removal of ‘inefficient’ energy subsidies
Nigerians set for higher energy bills amidst deep economic crisis as Bank pushes for removal of ‘inefficient’ energy subsidies.
Conditionality
News
The human face of the World Bank's private sector bias: The privatisation of Kenya's healthcare
A November 2021 report by the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice at New York University highlights the human rights consequences of the World Bank’s Maximising Finance for Development approach.
Finance
Analysis
Debt crisis prevention: We need to talk about capital controls
IMF's position on capital controls must be revised to recognise that they are an essential and permanent macroeconomic tool necessary to increase countries' policy autonomy and enable them to act counter-cyclically and to prevent future debt crises.
Conditionality
Background
Project Officer (CLOSED)
The Bretton Woods Project is looking for a Project Officer to support the Bretton Woods Project team in monitoring the work of the IMF, supporting critical civil society communities, and advocating for transformational change.
Finance
Background
What are Special Drawing Rights (SDRs)?
This Inside the Institutions looks at the IMF’s Special Drawing Rights, including their history and usage, with a focus on the latest allocation, which accounts for 69 per cent of the SDRs ever disbursed.
IFI governance
Analysis
Biden, the Bank and IMF: A break with ‘America first’ or its continued pursuit through multilateral means?
The world awaits to see whether Trump’s defeat will result in the end of the 'America First' approach and a democratisation of the IMF and World Bank and the multilateral system.
Finance
News
IMF's continued VAT push inconsistent with rhetoric on progressive taxes
As the IMF celebrates the rise of VAT, women and those least able to pay are left behind in worsening inequality crisis.
Conditionality
News
Civil society raises alarm about IMF’s continued backing of austerity amidst pandemic
Egypt, Ukraine, South Africa and Ecuador have recently signed IMF loan programmes that involve severe austerity measures.
Featured briefings
9 June 2025
New data reveal World Bank DPF ‘climate finance’ carries strong private sector bias, undermining a just transition
New BWP briefing finds the World Bank counted 70 per cent of energy-sector reforms in Development Policy Financing as having 'climate co-benefits' between 2018-2023 - but most of these promoted a private-led energy transition.
15 April 2025
The Bretton Woods Observer: Spring 2025
2 April 2025