CSO Newsletter 55
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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 Paris 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 Bosnia and Herzegovina, 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 United Nations 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 European Union 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 Kosovo and North Macedonia For more information about the EBRD in Slovenia 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