Accountability Mechanism Joins Bankwatch and other IAMs at Outreach Workshop for CSOs in Sarajevo
The World Bank Accountability Mechanism (AM) on June 14-15, 2022, joined three other independent accountability mechanisms (IAMs) in explaining their work to civil society representatives in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The workshop was hosted by Bankwatch, a network of grassroots, environmental and human rights groups based in central and eastern Europe, and was co-hosted by the Independent Accountability Mechanisms (IAMs) of the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, European Investment Bank and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. About 25 participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, the Netherlands and the USA joined in the presentations and round-table discussions.
AM Secretary Orsolya Székely explained the structure of the AM and the compliance review and dispute resolution options it offers through the Inspection Panel and the Dispute Resolution Service, respectively. Ms. Székely was joined by Inspection Panel Senior Environmental Officer Nicolas Kotschoubey and Senior Executive Assistant Oriana Bolvaran, in answering questions from the participants on a range of topics – including the role civil society can play in the complaints process, the timelines IAMs follow in reviewing a complaint, the community’s right to project information and consultation, how development banks integrate social issues into project design, whether the IAMs handle allegations related to procurement processes and corruption issues in a project.
The AM team discussed how to find information about development projects in the region, how complaints can be filed and the criteria that IAMs use to assess those complaints and the IFIs’ commitment to zero-tolerance for intimidation and reprisals. The Inspection Panel Senior Environmental Officer, presented an Inspection Panel case study from Kosovo. Different IAMs indicated that the purpose and process of all the IAMs are similar in addressing project-related grievances. The IAMs stressed their total independence and commitment to requesters’ confidentiality.
This is the first in-person outreach event after the pandemic related restrictions are loosened. The AM had continued to organize virtual outreach events for civil society during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The workshops are intended to make our work known to people whose rights and interests may be affected by World Bank projects. If you are interested in partnering on future workshops, please email us at accountability@worldbank.org.