Counter Balance

Brussels – In an unprecedented ruling, the European Ombudsman concluded that the European Investment Bank (EIB) mishandled complaints about a major mining project it financed in Madagascar. The Ombudsman ruled maladministration for the EIB massive delays in handling the case and highlighted the poor monitoring on the implementation of the project on the ground. The […]

Brussels, 13 November 2018 In a step backwards for the EU bank’s transparency and accountability, the Board of Directors of the European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a controversial new policy for its Complaints Mechanism, a move that will take the bank further away from the communities affected by its operations – say NGOs. The decision […]

Originally published on Public Finance International. By Xavier Sol, 7 Nov 18 The European Investment Bank should take the opportunity to finally fix serious transparency and governance flaws as it looks to revamp its complaints mechanism, says Counter Balance’s Xavier Sol. Would a school teacher ask her pupils for their approval before grading their tests […]

Celebrate the rights of those 5 per cent who hold 80 per cent of the planet’s biodiversity. Today is the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People. Originally published by Bankwatch. The European Parliament resolution of 3 July 2018 on violation of the rights of indigenous peoples in the world, including land grabbing recognises the “central role” […]

By Nezir Sinani, from Bank Information Center Europe. Originally published by Huffington Post US. Do you know which international financial institution (IFI) lends the most money? If you guessed the World Bank, you are wrong. You’ll find the answer in Luxembourg —- it’s the European Investment Bank (EIB). All of the existing IFIs have an […]

Originally published on Public Finance International (October 2017 issue).