The World Bank is restructuring the way that it applies environmental and social safeguards to its investments. What the Bank decides to do will affect the behavior of international investors and governments worldwide. It will affect the future design of development projects, and will change the ways we hold international institutions accountable. In this rapidly changing context, civil society organizations (CSOs) from the South and North are preparing for a global campaign to hold the Bank accountable to stronger safeguards.
The World Bank announced the start of the safeguards review in early 2011. Currently, we expect the Bank to release an "approach paper" in September 2011, followed by more in-depth consultations in 2012. The Bank intends to complete the review by 2012. CSO's from various countries and regions will participate in the safeguards review.