New reports by Financial Transparency Coalition and Eurodad highlight uneven distribution of Covid-19 stimulus spending followed by socially painful fiscal austerity.
Social services
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.
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.
