Bankwatch CEE

About the programme

The Bankwatch Programme of Green Action aims to monitor the activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and EU funds in Croatia. It is part of the wider activities of CEE Bankwatch, (www.bankwatch.org), a network of NGOs in Central and Eastern Europe and the Newly-Independent States.

Why monitor International Financial Institutions?

International Financial Institutions (such as the World Bank, EBRD and EIB) have an enormous amount of power and their backing often makes the difference in whether a project goes ahead or not. IFIs invest in a vast range of projects, including transport, municipal infrastructure, resource extraction, and agribusiness.

In spite of the size and power of IFIs, taxpayers who provide the money which they invest do not often know what their money is spent on, whilst taxpayers in recipient countries, who must ultimately re-pay the loans, are not always adequately consulted about whether projects are in their best interests or that of the environment.

By monitoring IFIs, we aim to increase public participation in the development of projects to ensure that the planned benefits are realised, and change or stop harmful projects if necessary.

What can you do?

Monitoring IFIs is not something that can be done by one or two people. Projects are taking place all over the country and we cannot be everywhere. We need your help to find out information about projects and to help with changing or stopping them.

If you know about a harmful project which is or may be sponsored by one of the IFIs or EU funds, let us know.

We may be able to support local campaigns, help with finding out information, and help with making complaints to the IFIs. Please contact marijan@ zelena-akcija.hr with any relevant questions or information.

Programme coordinator:

• Marijan Galović - programme coordinator

Current focus

The current main focus of the Bankwatch Programme is to monitor the extension of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) in Croatia and to campaign against the proposed municipal waste incinerator in Zagreb. In addition we regularly screen new projects for potential harmful impacts and support the work of other groups campaigning on IFI-related issues, whether in Croatia or abroad.

Report of last year's activities

• Please click here.