EBRD-CSO Newsletter Keeping you up to date with the EBRD

January - March 2019 Welcome to the CSO Newsletter Since the beginning of the year, the Civil Society Engagement Unit (CSEU) 55 has travelled extensively to facilitate discussions with CSOs on EBRD policies, strategies and projects. Across these consultations, we have received feedback that the implementation of high standards and transparency is key, whether as part of our good governance policies or at project level in the hydropower EBRD releases position statement on sector (see pages 3 and 4). So what comes next? The 2019 retaliation against civil society and edition of the Civil Society Programme! We are excited to project stakeholders welcome you to Sarajevo, where we look forward to your participation in our panels, discussions with In January on ebrd.com we released allegations of retaliation for complaints the EBRD President and Board of our position statement on retaliation about EBRD projects. We are also Directors, and a new exhibition of against civil society and project raising awareness among our staff to CSO solutions to regional and global stakeholders. The statement aims to ensure the implementation of these challenges in cooperation with the signal clearly the EBRD’s zero-tolerance guidelines. The key principle behind Peace Forum – find details on policy on retaliation. We do not accept them is that every individual or group page 2. See you in May! actions by our clients or other project has the right to criticise EBRD projects counterparties that amount to retaliation or to lodge complaints about them For more information visit: – including threats, intimidation, without experiencing threats to their www.ebrd.com/who-we-are/ harassment or violence – against those safety or fearing retribution. civil-society/news-and-events who voice their opinions about the activities of the EBRD or our clients. We also work with EBRD clients to build and maintain a constructive dialogue We take seriously all credible allegations with locally affected communities, CSOs of reprisals. This is why we have set up and other stakeholders and to ensure mechanisms that detail how to prevent that human rights are respected in and handle potential cases of retaliation. EBRD-financed projects.

First, we have a specialised team, This statement is our contribution to the EBRD Civil Society Engagement a safer space for dialogue with civil Unit, which promotes institutional society about EBRD-financed projects dialogue with civil society. Civil society and other activities that the Bank organisations (CSOs) and stakeholders supports. affected by projects must be able to provide feedback, voice opposition and The full position statement is available raise concerns with the EBRD and with on our website: https://www.ebrd.com/ EBRD clients. This ensures that any who-we-are/civil-society-overview.html negative impacts of EBRD-financed projects are avoided, minimised or mitigated appropriately.

Second, we have developed internal guidelines that explain how to handle January - March 2019 EBRD-CSO Newsletter 1 What’s on at the Civil Society Programme The 2019 Civil Society Programme environmental infrastructure, and the please note that the EBRD does not revolves around the theme of building climate finance portfolio. The Programme provide financial support for any other stronger communities by bringing together will include three multi-stakeholder panel expenses related to participation in the civil society, business and the public discussions and a special topic presented Programme. sector. In pursuit of this vision, a new by the Farm Animal Investment Risk and feature of the Civil Society Programme Return Initiative (FAIRR), focusing on For the latest information and updates will include a CSO exhibition titled vulnerability to antimicrobial resistance on registration, visit www.ebrd.com/ “Connecting for Solutions”, which is as well as on environmental and social am. Should you require a visa to visit organised in cooperation with the Paris megatrends. The first of the three panels , please follow Peace Forum. The Programme agenda envisaged will debate the extent to the instructions in your registration will provide representatives from CSOs which business and civil society share confirmation email. with opportunities to engage with Bank values and objectives and can join forces staff, management, Board Directors and to promote sustainable development businesses on a range of issues of mutual and optimise impact. A joint panel interest. As such, it will include on 8 and with the Development More opportunities 9 May a number of closed sessions for Programme will focus on transparency civil society representatives on dedicated in public procurement. A third panel will to get involved topics as well as open sessions and panel explore how civil society can play a role discussions where Business Forum guests in connecting for solutions to manage a Our revised good governance are also welcome. “just transition” towards inclusive and policies will be launched as part of resilient, low-carbon economies, which the Civil Society Programme. During avoids “stranding” communities and this session, you will learn how we About the location workers. These sessions will be open to have incorporated your feedback Bosnia and Herzegovina has a rich and all guests attending the Business Forum and you will be able to discuss with fascinating cultural history: it has long been as well as the Civil Society Programme, EBRD staff the changes we have open to eastern and western European with the aim of promoting dialogue made. See page 3. influences alike and underwent Byzantine among representatives from the civil and Ottoman conquests. Today, its strong society, public and private sectors. You are also invited to participate political, trade and business links – both to in two sessions on the review of the and to other countries the Transport Sector Strategy and in central and south-eastern Europe – How to register the Property and Tourism Sector make Bosnia and Herzegovina a strategic As an official representative of your Strategy 2020-24. Your participation location for investment opportunities organisation at the Civil Society will contribute to the drafting of throughout the region. Programme, you are invited to attend these strategies. the Business Forum free of charge. The theme of the 2019 Business Forum Another session will update you on Panels and discussions is Connecting Economies for Stronger the implementation of the EBRD’s You are invited to participate in thematic Growth. The fee is waived for a maximum Strategy for the Promotion of discussions on EBRD projects in energy of two representatives per organisation Gender Equality 2016-2020. and natural resources, municipal and (inclusive of interpreters). However,

2 EBRD-CSO Newsletter January - March 2019 DIALOGUE

Consultations on country strategies and more

Good governance

In February and March 2019, the EBRD held eight consultation meetings, in London and across the economies where we invest, gathering feedback on our three good governance policies, which are currently under review: the Public Information Policy, the Rules of Country strategy for Turkey instruments, cross-border investment and Procedures of the Project Complaint As part of the public consultation process green economy technologies and products. Mechanism, and the Environmental during the review of our country strategy The two main operational priorities are and Social Policy. More than 300 for Turkey, the EBRD held two consultation a) boosting competitiveness and good of you seized the opportunity to meetings on 7 March 2019, hosted governance by championing privatisation, speak to us in person at one of by the Resident Office in Istanbul. The while deploying innovative instruments to these meetings, and many more Bank’s suggested strategic priority areas, support private firms; and b) supporting the submitted written suggestions. Your supporting the EBRD transition qualities, transition to a green economy by promoting suggestions included: were broadly endorsed by civil society new green technologies. participants. The draft strategy is expected • enhancing stakeholder to be published for a 45-day public We organised a consultation meeting with engagement, transparency and consultation period in May or June 2019. civil society in Ljubljana on 14 November disclosure practices, especially We look forward to your comments and 2018 and an open consultation period in for category B projects and suggestions. December and January. sub-projects financed by partner financial intermediaries Board consultation visit to and For more information about the EBRD in visit https://www.ebrd.com/ • strengthening the human A delegation of the Board of Directors slovenia.html rights commitments in the of the EBRD, who represent the Bank’s Environmental and Social Policy shareholders, visited Kosovo and North Macedonia in early February. The Board • adapting the policies to local representatives met with civil society on circumstances for the purpose 4 February in Pristina and on 8 February of implementation, taking into in Skopje. The meetings provided an account the different languages, opportunity to discuss key operational cultures and social conditions issues of relevance from a civil society across the EBRD regions perspective. • integrating substantive provisions designed to prevent and address reprisals or threats to individuals, communities or groups who might EBRD consults civil society in Kyrgyz Republic request or share information or submit formal complaints On 13 March, the EBRD Resident Office in Bishkek held a consultation meeting The draft policies are due for with local civil society representatives to consideration by the Board of discuss the upcoming country strategy Directors in late April. Following for the Kyrgyz Republic. Attending civil approval, a full report on public society representatives broadly endorsed comments will be published on our EBRD adopts country strategy for Slovenia the strategic priorities that the Bank website. We will report back to you proposed for the new strategy period and, in our next newsletter about the The EBRD has adopted a new country in particular, supported the work envisaged impact of your feedback on the final strategy for Slovenia for the period 2019- in the area of the green economy. CSOs policies. 24. The new plan focuses on areas where also focused on remaining transition the Bank remains additional in the country, challenges in relation to Article 1, especially such as equity financing, capital market transparency in the judicial system.

January - March 2019 EBRD-CSO Newsletter 3 IN BRIEF

Meeting of the Environmental and Social Advisory Council Key dates and contacts Country strategies: The EBRD’s Environmental and Social Advisory Council (ESAC), an independent body of environmental specialists who advise the EBRD on public comment periods environmental issues such as policy, international standards, technical development, emerging trends and future opportunities, held its first official Kyrgyz Republic May-June 2019 meeting of 2019 on 31 January. ESAC members discussed the review of the good governance policies and provided suggestions, in particular on Turkey May-June 2019 environmental sustainability, human rights commitments and safeguarding good working conditions. Members also considered the recently reviewed 2019 Energy Sector Strategy approved in December 2018. Contacts

Civil Society Engagement Unit Tel: +44 20 7338 7982 Email: [email protected] European Bank for Reconstruction and Development One Exchange Square London EC2A 2JN United Kingdom www.ebrd.com

Joint EBRD-CSO event in Belgrade Follow us on social media on hydropower in the Western Balkans

On 1 March the EBRD, together with the organisers of the Save the Blue Heart of Europe campaign, held a multi-stakeholder workshop on www.youtube.com/ebrdtv hydropower in the Western Balkans. The event took place in Belgrade and was attended by representatives from civil society, national regulators and www.facebook.com/ebrdhq financial intermediaries investing in hydropower developments in the region. www.twitter.com/ebrd The workshop aimed to provide a space for dialogue on sustainability www.linkedin.com/company/ebrd in the Western Balkans hydropower sector. At the event the EBRD also launched its new good practice note for financial intermediaries investing www.instagram.com/ebrd_official in hydropower. The EBRD training that covers issues in the Environmental www.flickr.com/photos/ebrd and Social Guidance Note for Hydropower Projects will be mandatory for all financial intermediaries interested in investing in hydropower with EBRD financing. Checkebrd.com to access the full text of this guidance note. EBRD adopts shadow carbon News from our partners pricing methodology The Paris Peace Forum calls on all organisations to bring concrete and innovative solutions that Since January 2019 the Bank has been applying shadow carbon pricing tackle global challenges and to present them at as part of an economic assessment of projects in any sector that have the its second annual event, from 11 to 13 November potential to significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions. During the in Paris. Check parispeaceforum.org for more preparation of the shadow carbon pricing methodology, the Bank took into information and submit your proposal by consideration written comments from civil society stakeholders as well 13 May 2019. as the feedback received during the consultation meetings for the Energy Sector Strategy review. Find details of our methodology on ebrd.com. Photography: ©EBRD and istockphoto.com.

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