How can IPAM address my concerns?
IPAM has two non-judicial and non-adversarial ways through which it can address Requests:
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Problem-solving: IPAM facilitates dialogue between Requesters and Clients to resolve environmental, social and public-disclosure concerns without attributing blame or fault. IPAM mediates between Project-affected people, Clients and other stakeholders as a neutral third party to help find mutually satisfactory solutions. In addition to facilitated dialogue and mediation, solutions can be reached through conciliation, information sharing, joint fact-finding or supported negotiation.
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Compliance Reviews: IPAM reviews the Project's environmental and social performance of the Bank Project to determine whether the EBRD has complied with its commitments under the Bank's Environmental and Social Policy and Access to Information Policy. The Compliance Review assesses the Bank’s compliance, not the Client’s compliance. IPAM engages with Project-affected people, Bank staff, Clients and other stakeholders to determine the Bank’s compliance. If the EBRD is found to be non-compliant, IPAM will propose changes to the Project and to the Bank's procedures to address the non-compliance, prevent future non-compliance, and promote institutional learning.
IPAM’s mandate is focused on the review of environmental, social, or transparency-related concerns only. However, other complaint mechanisms exist at the EBRD to address other types of concerns. If you have concerns about:
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Fraud, corruption, ethical behaviour or staff/ client misconduct: please submit complaints to the Office of the Chief Compliance Officer at whistleblowing@ebrd.com
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Procurement issues: please submit complaints to the Procurement Policy and Advisory Department at Procurement@ebrd.com
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Other questions or concerns: please submit complaints to the EBRD’s Civil Society Engagement Unit at cso@ebrd.com
Who can submit Requests for review?
Requests can be submitted by individuals and civil society organisations who believe they are directly and personally affected by an EBRD Project.
In certain circumstances, IPAM can also consider Requests submitted by civil society organisations that are not directly or personally affected. However, in these cases, IPAM will evaluate the specific circumstances of each Request and seek additional information prior to proceeding.
IPAM's commitment to confidentiality
Requesters may ask that the identities of some or all of the individuals involved in a Request be kept confidential. IPAM is committed to protecting Requesters’ identities, if confidentiality is expressly asked for in a Request. The Requester will be asked to explain why they are looking to address their Request confidentially, so IPAM can seek to respond to concerns and manage the case in an appropriate manner. IPAM does not tolerate retailiation against Requesters or any other individuals involved in an IPAM process or outreach activity, and rejects any form of threat, intimidation, harrassment, violence or discrimination based ont he fact that they have exercised their right to raise concerns.
How do I submit a Request for review?
Requests for Review can be submitted in any written format, using:
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IPAM’s secure, encrypted online Request Form, available on the IPAM website in English, in Russian русский and in Arabic عربى
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email or mail:
EBRD Independent Project Accountability Mechanism
Attn: Victoria Marquez-Mees, Chief Accountability Officer
One Exchange Square
London EC2A 2JN
United Kingdom
Email: ipam@ebrd.com
Requests can also be mailed or delivered to any EBRD Resident Office in our countries of operation. Simply ask that it be forwarded to the Chief Accountability Officer of IPAM.
Overview of case steps
Registration: Following receipt of a Request, IPAM will screen the Request against the IPAM registration criteria, to confirm whether it falls within IPAM’s mandate.
Assessment: Following the Registration of a Request, IPAM will complete an Assessment in order to:
i. develop a clear understanding of the issues raised in a Request
ii. discuss the Problem Solving and Compliance Review options, their scope and possible outcomes with the Requesters, the Client and the Bank
iii. assess the Requesters' and Clients' willingness to engage in each Problem Solving or Compliance Review, while taking Requesters’ preferences into account
iv. consider the status of other grievance resolution efforts ( if applicable)
v. determine if the Case will:
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proceed to Problem Solving (if the Requesters and the Client agree);
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be transferred to a Compliance Assessment, if no agreement to complete Problem Solving is reached; or
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be closed.
Problem Solving: IPAM will facilitate dialogue between the Parties, seeking to find jointly-acceptable solutions that resolve the issues raised in the Request.
Problem Solving Monitoring: IPAM will monitor the implementation of any agreements reached between the Requesters and the Client through Problem Solving.
Compliance Assessment: IPAM will assess whether a Request is eligible for a Compliance Review, considering whether:
i. it appears that the Project may have caused (or may be likely to cause) direct or indirect and material harm to Project-affected people; and
ii. there is an indication that the Bank may not have complied with the Environmental and Social Policy or the Access to Information Policy.
Compliance Review: IPAM will complete an in-depth review of the Project to identify whether the Bank complied with the Environmental and Social Policy or the Access the Information Policy. If IPAM concludes that the Bank is non compliant with its policy commitments, the Mechanism will recommend remedial Project-specific and systemic actions to bring the Project back into compliance, and to avoid non-compliance on other similar projects.
Management Action Plan Monitoring: IPAM will monitor the implementation of Management Action Plans (i.e. Actions EBRD Management has committed to, in order to address any findings of non-compliance).
Target case timelines
Stage |
Key Activities |
Request Receipt |
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Registration |
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Assessment |
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Problem Solving |
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Compliance Assessment |
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Compliance Review |
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Monitoring |
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You can contact us if you have questions about how to write and submit a Request.