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 Supported142
Our impact includes redesigned projects that now reflect community needs, harm stopped and prevented to defend water resources, and agreements resulting in compensation.
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Institutions Influenced162
We advocate for investors to create accountability offices that are independent, transparent, fair, and effective. We have improved policy and practice at development institutions, commercial banks, UN agencies, and within the OECD.
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Complaints Tracked2,000+
We created and maintain the Accountability Console, a comprehensive database of community complaints filed with independent accountability mechanisms about the impacts of internationally financed projects.
News
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21 April, 2025Statement by Civil Society and Community Organizations on the Adoption of the First Remedy Framework at the World Bank Group
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. -
2 April, 2025As IFC delayed a damning report on a Liberian rubber plantation, the owner sold the business
A World Bank watchdog detailed allegations of displacement, pollution and other serious harms at the company, and criticized the global development agency’s handling of the project. -
1 April, 2025When IAMs fail women: Gendered harm needs gendered justice
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. -
25 March, 2025Lesotho Dam Project Sparks Backlash as Communities Demand Justice Amid Broken Promises
The Lesotho Highlands Water Project has become emblematic of the collision between grand development ambitions and grassroots suffering. -
18 March, 2025The EIB still has a massive problem with its complaint procedure
As the United States pulls back from global leadership, the recent European Investment Bank (EIB) group forum in Luxembourg came at a crucial time. As the world’s largest multilateral development bank, the EIB now has a chance to become a responsible development actor — but if and only if the institution properly addresses long-standing deficiencies of its Complaints Mechanism and commitment to accountability.
