Bankwatch EaP 2024-2027 Bankwatch Öst 2024-2027 Bankwatch is a legal, non-profit environmental association with projects based in Central and Eastern Europe as well as the Western Balkan region. The association collaborate with member groups consisting of multiple civil society organisations with the main objective being to monitor infrastructure projects financed by IFI´s e.g. EIB, EBRD, ADB and prevent negative consequences for environmental and social structures that might arise as a result of these projects. Moreover, Bankwatch aims to encourage an increased public engagement concerning climate and environmental related issues as well as to promote the use of renewable energy. The association has therefore developed a helpdesk with the main task being to support CSO´s with issues related to the above-mentioned areas. 

Bankwatch works to achieve the two following objectives with support from SIDA, through their projects in the Eastern Partnership Countries and Ukraine:

1. Prevent harmful measures in the energy sector from receiving financial and political support.

2. Empower citizens to claim their rights when it comes to infrastructure development. Bankwatch är en icke-vinstdrivande sammanslutning av ett flertal miljöinriktade civilsamhällesorganisationer. Det främsta fokuset är att övervaka investeringar från Internationella Finansiella Institutioner (IFI´s) e.g. EBRD, ADB, EIB, för att motverka att dessa investeringar, utförda inom ramen för ett internationellt utvecklingssamarbete, medför negativa konsekvenser för miljö och sociala strukturer i samhällena. Bankwatch arbetar för att främja engagemanget rörande frågor kopplade till miljö och klimat bland allmänheten samt användandet av förnybar energi. Organisationen har utvecklat en helpdesk som agerar stöd för CSO´s som verkar i regionerna. 

Genom ett Sida-finansierat stöd arbetar Bankwatch för att uppnå följande mål i de Östra Partnerskapsländerna och Ukraina:

1. Motverka finansiellt och politiskt stöd till skadliga åtgärder inom energisektorn.
2. Stärka och utbilda medborgare att göra anspråk på sina rättigheter rörande beslut för utveckling av infrastruktur. The contribution has the overall goal to support green transformation in the region. 

Goal 1: Prevent harmful measures in the energy sector from receiving financial and political support. 

The energy sector (electricity and heat) has been identified as the biggest source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions not only worldwide but also in the Eastern Partnership countries. To accelerate the energy transformation and prevent the most serious impacts of the climate emergency, the energy sector needs to be decarbonized. Not only are the regions still heavily dependent on fossil fuels, but they lack alternatives and, crucially, political will to raise the level of ambition for seeking sustainable solutions. Therefore, Bankwatch will focus on halting the further use of fossil fuels in the energy sector through the following measures: preventing new coal power plants; closing or pushing existing facilities to comply with environmental standards; supporting decarbonisation of district heating systems; blocking coal-to-gas conversions; and lobbying for the implementation of just transition principles across the region.

Target groups: IFI's (EBRD, EIB, ADB, AIIB), European Commission, the Energy Community Secretariat.

Goal 2: Empower citizens to claim their rights.

Each year, the IFI's lend billions of euros to improve the living conditions of millions of people around the world. In countries where the rule of law is limited due to autocracy or corruption, IFIs often serve as the primary safeguard of democratic principles. IFIs are bound by the legislation and commitments of its shareholders, which are then translated into internal IFI policies. Although these policies are far from perfect, often not enforced, and hard for the IFIs to monitor, they remain valuable entry points for the public to participate in decisions that can potentially improve their lives. All too often, however, the projects that are intended to promote and develop healthy, sustainable living have the opposite effect, destroying livelihoods and lives, and causing irreversible damage to biodiversity and cultural heritage, loss of local livelihoods, further discrimination of already vulnerable groups and marginalisation of affected people in decision-making. These projects can include the construction of large hydro dams, transport corridors, regional infrastructure such as fossil gas pipelines and highways, the extraction of gold and critical raw materials, and solid waste management facilities.

To support citizens in their efforts to positively steer the direction of these investments, actively engage in political decision-making, and harness the potential of IFIs to uphold democratic principles to the fullest, Bankwatch commits to improving access to information and enhancing public participation, lobbying IFIs to improve their internal mechanisms and policies, and building the capacity of civil society and affected communities to reclaim their rights.

Target groups: IFI's, communities, local activists, The European Commission as well as the Energy Community Secretariat.



Goal 3: Contribute to the Green post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.

Ukraines funding for the years 2022 and 2023 has been characterised by limited disclosure of information and restricted opportunities for participation by various groups, such as CSOs, local communities and hromadas, at both international and national levels. This situation persists despite significant financial support, with the World Bank providing EUR 17.8 billion in aid. As things stand, different types of platforms and legislative proposal fail to provide a sustainable economic development framework, democratic reforms, but also social and environmental safeguards, as required under the European Green Deal. The success of these initiatives depends on establishing common principles, maintaining standards of transparency and accountability, and ensuring that civil society participates in all levels of decision-making.

Bankwatch is therefore committed to make Ukraine a leader in green energy, sustainable agriculture and renewables-based environmental, social and transport infrastructure, and to rebuild cities and villages for the needs of ordinary people so that no-one is left behind. In addition, it is aimed to intensify the advocacy and information campaigns to the Ukrainian government and national decision-makers, by highlighting the importance of incorporating workable and sustainable environmental components into the reconstruction efforts.

It is crucial that CSOs play a major role in designing Ukraines reconstruction and its related financial frameworks. Ukrainian CSOs have the best knowledge of what Ukraine needs for sustainable development in line with EU aspirations. Coupling technical expertise with local knowledge is key to achieving optimal results. To this end, Bankwatch, together with various Ukrainian and international groups, has established Rebuild Ukraine Green, a civil society platform dedicated to the sustainable and resilient recovery of Ukraine.

By supporting Ukraines post-war reconstruction efforts under the auspices of the European Green Deal, it is expected to increase the chances of Ukraine becoming a strong and sustainable country driven by a zero-carbon economy and guided by democratic principles. Together with its member and partner groups, Bankwatch works to ensure that the EU and major financial institutions (mentioned below), support renewable energy sources and energy decentralisation.

Target groups: Ukrainian CSO´s and local authorities, IFI´s (WB, EBRD and EIB).