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

Conditionality

Commentary

Economics is political: the IMF’s programme in Egypt can’t succeed without reforming both

More debt without tackling the political sources of Egypt’s economic problems means a deepening of the crisis.

3 July 2024 | Guest comment
Civil society member holding a sign: Stop IMF Surcharges

Finance

Analysis

No false solutions: IMF surcharges must go

The IMF’s surcharges review presents a golden opportunity to eliminate these harmful and counterproductive fees.

3 July 2024 | Guest analysis

Gender

News

2024 Gender IFI Summer School

Gender IFI Summer School, brings together regional and global organisations working to advance economic justice issues, particularly from a feminist perspective, to discuss the IFIs’ impact on women’s rights and wellbeing, as well as strategies and tactics to push back.

12 September 2024 | Events

IFI governance

News

The Bretton Woods Institutions at 80: Where do we go from here?

As the World Bank and IMF celebrate their 80th anniversary in 2024, on 10th July the Bretton Woods Project, together with the SOAS Centre for Sustainable Finance, were joined by a distinguished group of panellists to critically analyse the opportunities for, and challenges to, reforms of the BWIs and the international financial architecture more broadly.

10 July 2024 | Events

Finance

News

'Worst ever’ debt crisis puts IDA’s financial model at risk, underscoring need for ambitious donor contributions to IDA21 replenishment

The unfolding debt crisis threatens IDA’s support for 75 low-income countries, without replenishment of grant resources.

3 July 2024

Finance

News

Pakistan’s debt crisis fuelled by more IMF loans

Pakistan on track to receive its 24th loan from the IMF after the lender disbursed the last tranche of the country’s latest $3 billion programme.

3 July 2024

Other news

Infrastructure

News

Banga calls energy access a ‘human right’ as he announces World Bank will provide access for 250 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030

Explicit mention of human rights obligations has long been a taboo subject at the World Bank.

3 July 2024

Trade

News

Ecuador ratifies 2008 ban on investor-state dispute settlement mechanism

Ecuador referendum reinforces the country’s decision against a mechanism criticised for being asymmetric, unjust and detrimental to citizens’ rights.

3 July 2024

Gender

News

Tara Povey joins the Bretton Woods Project as new Gender Equality and Macroeconomics Project Lead

Tara will continue the work of the gender team in advocacy targeting the IMF and the World Bank.

3 July 2024 | Project news

IFI governance

Background

Adequate disclosure, public review, and consultation for environmental and social impacts before World Bank Group financing decisions

Notes from the Civil Society Policy Forum on 19 April 2024 titled, "Adequate disclosure, public review, and consultation for environmental and social impacts before World Bank Group financing decisions".

19 April 2024 | Minutes

IFI governance

Background

Beyond size in IDA21 replenishment: What about socio-economic transformation?

Notes from Civil Society Policy Forum panel 19 April titled, "Beyond size in IDA21 replenishment: What about soci0-economic transformation?"

19 April 2024 | Minutes

IFI governance

Background

Making the new Loss and Damage Fund a success – Recommendations by climate vulnerable civil society

Notes from the Civil Society Policy Forum session on 18 April 2024 titled, "Making the new Loss and Damage Fund a success – Recommendations by climate vulnerable civil society"

18 April 2024 | Minutes