Initial financing for Costa Rica, Barbados, Rwanda, Bangladesh and Jamaica tied to efforts to ‘green’ PPP frameworks.
Social services
Social services
Analysis
World Bank support for Covid-19 vaccination fails to ensure equitable access
Accountability
Analysis
Implementation in full of the independent review of IFC, MIGA and CAO is essential if institutions are to meet persistent accountability and remedy gaps.
Accountability
Analysis
Full implementation of IFC and MIGA accountability review essential
Finance
Analysis
The international financial system’s reliance upon credit ratings – usually based on dubious premises – needs urgent rethinking.
Finance
Analysis
World Bank’s rating obsession will negate debt justice
Conditionality
News
Unbalanced financial stimulus followed by fiscal austerity: When will the IMF learn from its mistakes?!
New reports by Financial Transparency Coalition and Eurodad highlight uneven distribution of Covid-19 stimulus spending followed by socially painful fiscal austerity.
Rights
News
A new SDR allocation: Combatting deepening fragility concerns
The links between high debt burdens, lack of climate finance, austerity and the rise in political instability and fragility, conflict and violence remain largely neglected as IMF shareholders consider calls for a new SDR allocation, as proposed by the Bridgetown Agenda.
Social services
News
World Bank issues new guidance on PPPs legal frameworks, ignoring long-standing concerns with the model
New World Bank guidance on PPP legal frameworks evidence of institution’s continued reliance on PPPs as key to addressing SDG financing gap despite well-documented failures. Previous World Bank PPP contracts template criticised for incompatibility with human rights norms.
Social services
News
World Bank’s commitment to private sector-led development casts doubt on effectiveness of new Pandemic Preparedness Fund
The World Bank’s proposal to establish a fund for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response raises questions about the Bank’s support for private sector healthcare at the expense of public provision.
Gender
News
World Bank's new gender strategy: Concerns about approach to social protection and gender-blind macroeconomic reforms remain
With the World Bank’s current gender strategy set to expire next year, care and social protection emerge as a possible focus, but CSOs remain skeptical that Bank's private sector-led approach will deliver on women's rights.
Social services
Analysis
IMF rhetoric and practice on public sector wage constraints: Advice to slash spending continues despite Covid-19 pandemic
Forthcoming research from ActionAid International shows IMF’s dogmatic support for public sector wage bill cuts continues.
Social services
News
World Bank-backed water bill sparks anti-privatisation movement in Nigeria
Bill withdrawn after allegations of misconduct, as Nigerian civil society mobilises against water privatisation.
Other news
Social services
News
Civil society calls to move away from PPPs grow, while World Bank doubles down on private finance-led approach
Civil society ramps up calls to move away from public-private partnerships (PPPs) with Santiago Declaration for Public Services.
Infrastructure
News
MIGA’s support for gas projects raises concerns about its climate credentials
World Bank’s commercial insurance arm provided nearly $850 million in guarantees for gas projects in Bangladesh and Mozambique in fiscal year 2022.
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.
Social services
News
World Bank’s IFC ends funding for fee-paying primary and secondary schools
Independent Evaluation Group report highlighted private sector education provision can exacerbate inequality and undermine the public sector school system.
Social services
News
Civil society hails IFC’s divestment from for-profit education provider Bridge International Academies
The divestment follows a 2020 freeze in new IFC direct and indirect investments in for-profit education providers.
Social services
News
Global Day of Action against the IMF and World Bank rejects corporate recovery agenda
Civil society day of action rejects corporate agenda and greenwashing in World Bank and IMF Covid-19 recovery.
Finance
News
Civil society frustrated by lack of substantive engagement in IDA20 replenishment process
Private sector first approach intact in IDA20 replenishment despite CSO recommendations.
Conditionality
News
Will IMF policy advice align with new UNESCO Declaration on education finance?
IMF advice makes it challenging for countries to achieve education finance goals agreed at UN declaration.