Letter from NGOs to the Board of Directors of the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the ongoing review of the EIB-Complaint Mechanism (EIB-CM)

The accountability mechanism is known as the EIB Group Complaints Mechanism (EIB-CM), and its Policy Review will commence in the coming months. This review is sorely needed, as the letter states:

 

“Our practical experience with the EIB-CM and policy analysis of its Policy and Procedures against those of peer financial institutions show that the CM deviates from international good practice and has been unable to achieve its mission independently, efficiently and in a meaningful way for those affected by EIB operations. It falls short of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights’ criteria for non-judicial grievance mechanisms, such as independence, legitimacy, transparency, accessibility, and effectiveness. Crucially, we have seen that the institutional response to the EIB-CM’s cases has been inadequate, resulting in ongoing harm to local communities.”

In particular, the organisations call for a transparent and consultative review process, including in situ consultations with communities who have been affected by EIB investments. In terms of policy reforms, the organisations urge an updated mandate, strengthened independence, a more inclusive, equitable, transparent and safe case-handling process, a more effective Compliance Review function, better monitoring enforcement, and for systemic lessons to be taken on board from the advisory function.