The World Bank Group is a public development bank, owned by its member countries. Each year, it provides billions of dollars (through loans, grants, technical assistance and other types of financial support) to governments and private companies across the world. Apart from the projects it funds, the World Bank Group operations also influence laws, international standards, government spending, and private sector investment decisions. For good or bad, they affect all our lives.
The World Bank Group stated mission is to “to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet”. However, the stories shared by our members and partners paint a very different picture. From recent controversial projects to old ones where communities never found justice, the World Bank has a 80-year legacy of harm and impoverishment.
Stories and updates
2026 World Bank Annual Meetings
No accountability, no peace: The World Bank cannot be trusted in Gaza
New report out: Financing the Transition, Silencing Defenders
Pakistan’s Indigenous Torwali people are fighting to save the Swat River
Advocacy letters
2024
2018
2023
2022
2021
2015
- “Key Human Rights Concerns and Recommendations regarding the World Bank’s Proposed Social and Environmental Safeguards Framework” (March 2015)
- “The World Bank Safeguards Review” (April 2015)
- “Joint letter re: World Bank Safeguards Review – Phase 3 Consultations” (May 2015)
- “World Bank Environmental and Social Framework Second Draft – Gender Analysis” (Gender Action, July 2015)
- “The World Bank Safeguards Review: A Critical Human Rights Issue” (September 2015)
