Accountability Counsel amplifies the voices of communities around the world to protect their human rights and environment. As advocates for people harmed by internationally financed projects, we employ community driven and policy level strategies to access justice.
Impact
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Communities Supported50
Our impact supporting communities and advocates in 50 countries includes redesigned projects that now reflect community needs, harm stopped and prevented to defend water resources, and agreements resulting in compensation and other remedies.
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Policy Influenced66
We advocate for the world's 66 accountability offices to be independent, transparent, fair, and effective. Our impact is improved global policy and practice at multilateral and bilateral development institutions, U.N. agencies, and within the OECD.
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Accountability Data Exposed24k
We expose patterns in the accountability office system related to 24,450 data points that we track and evaluate. Our analysis has influenced global policy and is a tool for advocates. This database goes live later in 2019.
News
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2 September, 2019IFC Escapes Responsibility for Lamu Coal Plant Contributions
Community members and activists have bravely and tirelessly resisted plans to construct a 1,050-megawatt coal-fired power plant on the Lamu coastline, in Kenya, despite intimidation, repression and smear campaigns. They have left no stone unturned in their efforts to hold the actors responsible for this disastrous project accountable. Yet a group of investors, led by the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation (IFC), has narrowly avoided responsibility for its contributions to date. Steps must be taken to close this accountability gap. -
27 August, 2019Civil Society Groups Call for an Accountability Mechanism for the Equator Principles
Seventy-nine civil society organisations and partners have submitted a joint statement to the Equator Principles Association (EPA) and signatory banks today, expressing disappointment that the current review process of the Equator Principles does not go far enough to strengthen accountability and ensure access to remedy. With the EPA currently revising the fourth iteration of the Equator Principles, the “EP4” review should be a moment of ambition for advancing accountability in project finance. -
22 August, 2019Fears grow World Bank board could ‘compromise’ on accountability reforms
Civil society groups have urged the World Bank’s board of directors to give its inspection panel tougher powers in order to effectively hold the institution to account, as a long-delayed review looks set to end in “compromise.” After nearly two years of deliberations, insiders told Devex that the bank’s board plans to finalize a package of reforms to the panel ahead of the upcoming annual meetings in October. -
20 August, 2019Indigenous Communities in Myanmar Take Action Against Top-Down Conservation
The need to put indigenous peoples at the center of conservation efforts could not be clearer. Evidence is mounting that indigenous stewardship of natural resources is key to combating the climate crisis and protecting the biodiversity that sustains the planet. Meanwhile, indigenous peoples the world over are increasingly seeing access to their lands and resources restricted by top-down conservation projects that violate their rights. In southeast Myanmar’s Tanintharyi region, international organizations, financial institutions, and the government have the opportunity to reverse this harmful approach to conservation that ignores indigenous voices and rights. -
15 August, 2019European donor to audit power utility’s compliance with rules
The European Investment Bank has decided to investigate claims of trampling on the concerns of indigenous communities of Lamjung by the Nepal Electricity Authority while building power lines under the Euro Marsyangdi Corridor Project.
