Civil society research documents clear harms from privatisation and fiscal consolidation on public services and human rights, as Bank and Fund push for their deepening.
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
Accountability
Analysis
A proposal for Ajay: No evolution without remedy
Environment
Analysis
Despite the World Bank’s commitment to move away from funding coal, a series of loopholes in its financial intermediary lending remain that will continue to allow finance to support coal power projects.
Environment
Analysis
Coal not yet confined to the “old days” by World Bank Group
Finance
Analysis
Global South faces severe structural deficiencies that weaken its economic sovereignty and put it at the mercy of a neo-colonial global financial architecture.
Finance
Analysis
Decolonising the global economic architecture: A prerequisite for a just transition
Finance
Analysis
UN Secretary General's New Agenda for Peace calls for urgent financial architecture and policy reform
UN Secretary General’s New Agenda for Peace report identifies growing threats to global peace and stability, and proposes urgent reforms to the unjust economic system. World Bank and IMF resist policy and governance reform.
IFI governance
News
Civil society calls for an end to the 'gentleman's agreement' and a merit-based, open and transparent MD selection process
Civil society calls for the IMF to ensure the next MD selection process is undertaken in accordance with a merit-based, open and transparent process, underpinned by criteria involving a demonstrated commitment to international human rights, feminist principles, green and equitable development, as well as publicly available shareholder votes.
Knowledge
Background
Bretton Woods Project Annual Report 2023
In 2023, BWP continued its work as a watchdog of the World Bank and the IMF, supporting and amplifying the voices of critical civil society groups to capitalise on calls for substantive change, with a focus on four advocacy areas: Gender equality and macroeconomics, the environment, governance reform and accountability, and financialisation and human rights.
Knowledge
Background
Recommended Resources on the World Bank and the IMF 2023
As every year, BWP published its collection of reports, briefings, CSO letters and other resources with a critical angle published in the past year on the World Bank and the IMF.
Gender
Background
(CLOSED) Gender Equality and Macroeconomics (GEM) Project Lead
BWP is seeking a Gender Equality and Macroeconomics (GEM) Project Lead to manage BWP’s ongoing GEM Project and lead BWP’s work on gender equality and women’s rights.
Other news
Finance
News
Significant IDA21 replenishment required as need for concessional finance grows
Rich countries need to agree to an ambitious IDA21 replenishment to address compounding economic and liquidity crises, causing high levels of debt distress in low-income countries.
Environment
News
IFC trade finance continues to invest in fossil fuels, with no board oversight
New research by Urgewald finds that the World Bank Group invested an estimated $3.7 billion in oil and gas developments in 2022 via trade financing.
Finance
News
Civil society urges governments to agree on a UN tax body as a high priority
African Group’s proposal for a UN Tax Convention moves forward as CSOs keep pressure on rich countries not to block it.
Environment
Background
Laure-Alizée Le Lannou joins the Bretton Woods Project as new Environment Project Officer
Laure-Alizée Le Lannou will support the Project’s work on environmental and climate advocacy targeting the World Bank as well as research on IMF Special Drawing Rights.
Finance
News
New book addresses shortcomings of traditional approaches to debt and economics
New book details the gendered effects of austerity and argues that the human rights of people living in debt-distressed countries must take precedence over creditors’ financial interests.
IFI governance
Background
An Evolution Roadmap responsive to development crises? Towards an external evaluation of the World Bank’s cascade
Notes from the Civil Society Policy Forum on 11 October 2023 titled, "An Evolution Roadmap responsive to development crises? Towards an external evaluation of the World Bank’s cascade."