Blog

In August 2025, external stakeholders were finally given an opportunity to provide input into a review of the shared Independent Complaints Mechanism (ICM) of three bilateral development finance institutions (DFIs) – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG) of Germany, FMO Dutch Entrepreneurial Bank (FMO) of the Netherlands and Proparco of France.  Accountability Counsel, along with Both ENDS, Inclusive Development International and 12 other endorsing organizations, have submitted formal comments alongside proposed amendments to the ICM consultation. The comments support much-needed improvements to the policy and shared structure of the mechanism, while also naming specific areas that potentially compromise the ICM’s independence, perceived legitimacy, and overall effectiveness. 

On 19 September 2025, Accountability Counsel, UN Global Compact Network Thailand (GCNT), and Give to Nature, co-organized a panel discussion at the United Nations Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum, Asia-Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand.

Filing a complaint with an Independent Accountability Mechanism (IAM) can bring justice and remedy but it also puts communities and their allies at risk of harassment, violence, and repression.

Hundreds of impacted people are demanding respect for their fundamental rights after a massive water transfer project has brought harm to their homes, livelihoods, and environments.

Accountability Counsel condemns the U.S. Government’s decision to sanction three leading human rights groups in Palestine: Al-Haq, Al-Mezan, and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR).

The online panel discussion examined the impacts of renewable energy projects in Asia, stressing the importance of Free, Prior and Informed Consent and Indigenous Peoples’ self-determination in shaping just and sustainable energy transitions.

IFI investments in AI data centers are booming, but their heavy reliance on potable water for cooling is straining communities and the environment.

Dozens of international CSOs call on international financiers, including the International Finance Corporation and the Asian Development Bank, to reconsider financing this dangerous project.

Across IAMs, cultural heritage harm is often acknowledged but rarely repaired. This piece explores three cases, along with Console data, that illustrate this pattern — and what it will take to change it.

The recent Financing for Development conference in Sevilla, Spain – the first in 10 years – resulted in a call for multilateral development banks to triple their financing to meet the massive shortfall in development finance. If we really want sustainable development, any efforts to increase MDB activities should be met with an increased commitment to accountability and remedy to local communities.

How has a relatively robust review process resulted in such a disappointing outcome? We can only guess that the answer lies in what has been described by the MD-CEIU as a consensus building process between the PPM and AIIB management as directed by the Bank’s shareholders. Unfortunately, this process seemingly has favored management’s desire to limit the outcomes of the review.

Why do palm oil complaints yield more results than other agribusiness cases? This article traces a landmark struggle in Indonesia and examines the key role civil society support may play in turning accountability processes into real world outcomes.

The Global Reporting Initiative recently concluded its public comment period to develop sustainability reporting standards for financial service organizations that exist to channel and intermediate funds to support business activity and transfer risk. With an appreciation of the wide-ranging impacts that the financial services sector can have on the environment and people at local and global scales, Accountability Counsel contributed our perspective rooted in the challenges of securing engagement, response, and remedy for harm caused by internationally financed projects and programs.

Roads may seem like routine infrastructure, but they account for more accountability complaints than any other development investment. This article explores why road projects so often go wrong — and what must change.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is expanding into Sub-Saharan Africa and Iraq. Unless it ramps up its policies to prevent and remedy negative environmental and social impacts, it risks replicating harm that communities in the region are already experiencing.

Accountability Counsel and Lawyers Association for Human Rights of Nepalese Indigenous Peoples publish “A Community Guide to Demand Ingenious Peoples Rights in Hydropower Projects in Nepal” – a short and informative leaflet for affected Indigenous communities in Nepal to learn about and advocate for their human rights.

A new report, launched today by Accountability Counsel and LAHURNIP, exposes critical violations of the rights of Indigenous Peoples to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent in four hydropower projects in Nepal.

Responding to intense sustained advocacy efforts by project-affected communities and civil society organizations, the Boards of the International Finance Corporation and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, approved their long-awaited Interim Remedial Action Framework.We applaud IFC/MIGA for advancing this framework, which contains promising commitments that, if well implemented, could address a troubling history of IFC/MIGA allowing environmental damage and human rights abuses to go unremedied.

IAMs aim to deliver justice for communities harmed by development projects – but too often fail to address gendered harm. This article explores why survivor-centered, gender-sensitive reforms are essential to meaningful remedy.

(March 13, 2025) – One year ago today, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga apologized to survivors of child sexual abuse at Bridge International Academies, acknowledging “the trauma they experienced” at the World Bank Group-funded schools and committed to supporting them. At the same time, he announced an “external review” of  allegations that IFC staff and Bridge management (aka NewGlobe) colluded to obstruct and delay CAO’s work.