Governments and companies that borrow or receive money from DFIs for a development project must comply with the national laws of the country where the project is located — including the human rights obligations of that country. Many donor countries also have laws about how their development finance dollars can be spent in other countries. Germany for instance has a national policy that human rights must be protected in German bilateral or multilateral development finance.

In addition, many DFIs have developed their own set of environmental and social standards.  These policies are often described as “safeguard” policies because they are meant to protect—or safeguard—the communities affected by the project. DFI safeguard policies vary from one institution to another; however common aspects include requirements for social and environmental impact assessment, access to information, or protocols for dealing with resettlement or protecting the rights of indigenous peoples.

While some DFIs have made strides in the development of social and environmental protections, in general, DFI safeguard policies do not adequately protect communities’ human rights. Safeguards can, however, give communities a powerful tool to demand respect for their human rights.

For additional information about different DFIs’ social and environmental policies, follow the links below:

World Bank – International Bank for Reconstruction and Development

• Access to Information
• Environmental and Social Framework  (for projects approved after October 2018)

For projects approved prior to October 2018:

• Use of Country Systems
• Environmental Assessment
• Natural Habitats
• Forests
• Pest Management
• Physical Cultural Resources
• Involuntary Resettlement
• Indigenous Peoples
• Safety of Dams
• International Waterways
• Disputed Areas

World Bank – International Finance Corporation and MIGA

• Policy on Environmental and Social Sustainability
• Performance Standard 1: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts
• Performance Standard 2: Labor and Working Conditions
• Performance Standard 3: Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention
• Performance Standard 4: Community Health, Safety, and Security
• Performance Standard 5: Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement
• Performance Standard 6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources
• Performance Standard 7: Indigenous Peoples
• Performance Standard 8: Cultural Heritage
• Access to Information Policy

Asian Development Bank

• Safeguard Policy Statement (includes Environment; Involuntary Resettlement; and, Indigenous Peoples)
• Public Communications Policy

Inter-American Development Bank

• Environment and Safeguards Compliance and Guidelines
• Involuntary Resettlement and Guidelines
• Gender Equality in Development and Guidelines
• Indigenous Peoples and Guidelines
• Access to Information Policy

African Development Bank

• Disclosure and Access to Information
• Integrated Safeguards System Policy Statement and Operational Safeguards

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

• Public Information Policy
• Environmental and Social Policy – 2014

European Investment Bank

• Transparency Policy
• Environmental and Social Handbook – 2013
• Statement of Environmental and Social Principles and Standards – 2009
• Statement on Corporate Social Responsibility