In a three-year $100 million partnership, announced in mid March, the IFC and Coca-Cola will work together with female entrepreneurs in Africa and other emerging markets.
Social services
IFI governance
Background
World Bank Group's sub-national lending
The World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC, the Bank's private sector arm) are jointly encouraging sub-national lending to states or provinces, aimed at boosting direct engagement at the state or municipal level.
Environment
News
IFC-funded mines: still courting controversy
Following a year of violence associated with IFC-funded mining projects, the IFC's mining investments in Guatemala, Mongolia, Peru and Colombia are still provoking controversy.
Accountability
News
IEG finds declining impact at Bank, IFC
An annual Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) report on the Results and performance of the World Bank Group 2012 showed declining effectiveness at the Bank Group, with its worst ratings in the areas where its lending is increasing the fastest or it is prioritising work, such as infrastructure and public-private partnerships (PPPs).
IFI governance
News
World Bank's safeguards review extended
The first phase of the Bank's safeguard review has been extended to mid-April with global consultations planned, including on seven emerging areas.
Accountability
News
IFC investments "rarely touch the poor"
Criticism of the International Finance Corporation's lack of poverty focus has again caught the spotlight, as the IFC continues to fund projects that stretch the interpretation of development.
Environment
News
Getting its hands dirty
As the World Bank president became more vocal about climate change, concerns remain about the Bank's involvement in fossil fuels, including projects in Mongolia and Central Asia, and questions have been raised about its accountability for hydro projects in India and Guatemala.
Rights
Background
UK civil society meeting with UK World Bank Executive Director Gwen Hines
Notes of a meeting with UK executive director to the World Bank Gwen Hines in December 2012
Social services
News
IFC education funds bypassing the poor
A new study by Karen Mundy and Francine Menashy of the University of Toronto reveals that the International Finance Corporation's (IFC) education funding pays limited attention to poverty and distributional issues.
Social services
Analysis
IFIs' new "house of cards" in Central and Eastern Europe
IFIs are renewing their focus on Central and Eastern European states. This comes amidst fears that growth in the region needs to be rekindled. The World Bank has promised more funding for countries at risk of instability. However, IMF loans being negotiated with Romania and Hungary have met with controversy.
