The EIB and access to information
Image of open filing cabinet
The EIB needs to improve its transparency in order to ensure timely access to information for potentially affected communities and other interested parties. We advocate for wider access to information on the bank’s operations. The bank also needs to be made accountable in relation to the projects it funds so that it decides to fund only sustainable projects.

In order to influence the environmental and social behaviour of the bank, we participate in public consultations organised by the EIB.This year, for example, we submitted comments to the EIB on the review of its public disclosure policy. The first draft of the policy is far from satisfying as it is still very vague and leaves much room for manoeuvre. The bank can decide whether to give the public access to information or not and certain provisions do not comply with the requirements of regulations concerning access to public documents held by European institutions.

We also participated in the public consultation on the review of the bank’s complaints mechanism policy. The policy allows any person or group to complain against any decision by the bank that violates applicable legislation, internal policy, the principle of good administration or human rights. However, the policy still needs to be improved. For example, it does not ensure that the complaints office is independent from other bodies of the bank, or that populations affected by projects that it funds are informed about their right to complain.

Comments on the EIB public disclosure policy
Comments on the EIB complaints mechanism policy
 

Related Articles: