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The IRM Newsletter is also available in Spanish (Español) and French (Français)
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Since our last newsletter in August, the IRM has continued to deliver on its mandates despite the challenges faced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. With our work fully transitioned onto virtual platforms, we have successfully conducted our outreach, inreach and capacity building events virtually, and we have continued to process complaints received. The IRM also received positive comments from the Board on its advisory report on the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment in projects, which was presented at the 26th meeting of the GCF Board in August. The IRM has also capitalised on other virtual opportunities, participating in several online conferences and webinars, including the International Conference on Community-based Adaptation to Climate Change and the IAMnet annual meeting.
Meet the IRM’s team
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FP043 -Saïss Water Conservation Project
The case is currently in its problem-solving phase. The IRM problem solving team is working with the parties to try to solve the issues raised in the complaint by facilitating a dialogue and exchange of information amongst them. Given the nature of the process, any additional information can only be reported when the problem-solving phase reaches its conclusion. For additional information on this case, please visit the IRM’s case register page.
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FP084 - Enhancing Climate Resilience of India's Coastal Communities
As previously reported, the IRM declared this complaint ineligible in July 2020, and provided reasons for its decision in its eligibility determination report. A complaint relating to the same project and issues raised with the IRM has also been submitted to the UNDP’s complaints mechanism – the Social and Environmental Compliance Unit (SECU). The UNDP is the accredited entity responsible for this GCF project. SECU is currently assessing whether to declare the complaint eligible.
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FP001 - Building the Resilience of Wetlands in the Province of Datem del Marañon, Peru
The IRM continues to monitor the outcomes of its preliminary inquiry into FP001, Peru, with only one of the four undertakings still to be completed. For updates, visit the IRM’s case register.
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IRM received positive comments from the Board and CSOs on its advisory report
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Call for comments on the IRM Gender Strategy Note
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The external review of the IFC’s environmental and social accountability
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Independent Accountability Mechanisms (IAMs) have undergone a great number of reviews in recent years. The latest of these is the external review of the International Finance Corporation’s environmental and social accountability, including a review of the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman. Find out more about this review, and the lessons that the IRM and GCF are learning from it here. The IRM also hosted an inreach event about this review on 13 October 2020 for GCF staff, which was presented by Professor Arntraud Hartmann, one of the external reviewers.
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Recommendations of the Information Appeals Panel
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In May 2020, the CSO Active Observer team submitted a request for limited information about funding proposals. The GCF Secretariat denied access to this request and the CSO team escalated this issue to the Information Appeals Panel (IAP), which recommended that the information be released. The Executive Director gave his final decision on the appeal on 30 October 2020, disagreeing with the IAP’s recommendation and maintaining the GCF Secretariat’s decision to deny access. At the 27th meeting of the GCF Board, the Head of the IRM commented on the need to align the GCF’s Information Disclosure Policy with international best practice, which is to give the appeals panel authority to issue binding decisions. Read more about the IAP recommendations here.
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Board Guidelines on considering IRM case reports
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The IRM has developed guidelines to facilitate the GCF Board’s consideration of IRM reports on reconsiderations requests, grievances, or complaints. These guidelines address the principles and procedures that the Board will adhere to when considering IRM reports, the Board’s role in considering IRM reports, conflicts of interest and recusal, closed-door meetings, and Board decision making in the absence of consensus. The guidelines were due to be considered at the 27th meeting of the GCF Board, but owing to time constraints will be considered by the Board at a future date.
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The IRM takes part in outreach workshops for Civil Society in Brazil
On the 3rd and the 10th of September 2020, the IRM and other accountability mechanisms organised an accountability and redress outreach webinar for Brazil with several partnering civil society organisations and academia. The webinar aimed to equip representatives of Brazilian CSOs with practical information and hands-on experience in filing complaints and understanding complaint handling processes. Read more about the webinar here.
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Virtual Outreach Workshops in Central Asia & Mongolia
In a time when travel is off the cards, the IRM conducted virtual outreach events for Mongolian and Central Asian civil society organisations in the months of October and November. The virtual outreach workshops were attended by over 100 stakeholders joining in from different corners of the region. We are adapting to the new normal by using innovative tools such as cartoons to facilitate open dialogue and discussion. Interpretation services were also provided for these virtual events. Click here for interesting insights from these events.
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IRM’s Capacity Building Efforts in 2020
The IRM has completed its capacity building efforts for the year by adding a third workshop for the Asia-Pacific region. Earlier in 2020 the IRM conducted two online workshops for Latin America and the Caribbean as well as for African Grievance Redress Mechanisms. In total, over 60 participants from 40 countries attended the three courses, which consisted of live sessions with external experts and self-study for the participants using the online training modules of the IRM. Read more about the IRM’s capacity building efforts in 2020 here.
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IRM presents at the International Conference on Community-based Adaptation to Climate Change
The IRM presented a “skill-share” session at the 14th International Conference on Community-based Adaptation to Climate Change (CBA14) on 24 September 2020. This session was presented together with Tebtebba (Indigenous Peoples’ International Centre for Policy Research and Education). The IRM and Tebtebba shared information about complaints handling processes. The aim of the session was to spread the word more generally about the role that accountability mechanisms play in development finance. Read more about the event here.
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Soft Launch Event – GRAM Partnership
In 2019, the IRM formed the Grievance Redress and Accountability Mechanism (GRAM) partnership to offer leadership, a learning and knowledge platform and a meeting space to an increasing number of GRAMs that are emerging in different spheres. On December 1st, the IRM will organise a virtual soft launch event of the GRAM partnership focusing on mapping the different GRAM practitioners and on the implementation of the UNGP’s effectiveness criteria for grievance mechanisms. If you are an accountability practitioner working in a GRM or CSO, please register here for the event.
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The IRM is on social media!
Did you know that the Independent Redress Mechanism has a Twitter and a Facebook Page? Follow us for updates on our cases, capacity building and outreach events, and everything else related to our various activities.
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The IRM interviews participants from its capacity building event
Why does accountability and grievance redress matter? How has Covid-19 affected the work of Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRMs)? What is the value of building a community of practice? The IRM interviewed six participants from its capacity building event that was held for GRMs in Latin America and the Caribbean region. Watch their responses to the questions here (English, Español).
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