In 2021, the IRM team, like much of the world, adapted and innovated to fit into the ‘new’ normal of work and life. This year, the IRM received 2 new cases, closed one ongoing case and processed 7 pre-cases (learn more about those below!) In a first, the IRM successfully facilitated a hybrid in-person and virtual mediation with parties in Morocco, culminating in the case being closed after a problem-solving agreement was successfully reached. In 2022, the IRM will continue to monitor its case in Peru and engage with parties in Nicaragua.
In 2021, the IRM hosted 4 outreach events, of which two were tailored to and attended by civil society representatives based in the West Africa region. The IRM’s capacity building efforts included three regional workshops, an advanced mediation training, and four webinars delivered by the Grievance Redress and Accountability Mechanisms (GRAM) partnership and Community of Practice. Through its outreach and capacity building mandate, the IRM offers a space for grievance redress mechanisms, of all shapes and sizes, to learn from each other’s experiences. In this newsletter, you can learn more about the IRM’s activities in this last quarter of 2021.
Thank you for accompanying us on this journey, and we look forward to our enhanced engagement and collaboration in 2022!
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FP001 - Building the Resilience of Wetlands in the Province of Datem del Marañon, Peru
According to the progress report submitted by the GCF Secretariat in December, there is a delay in fulfilling the fourth undertaking due to Covid-19. Visit the case page.
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FP043 - Saïss Water Conservation Project, Morocco
In August 2021, the IRM closed its complaint relating to FP043, following a satisfactory, mediated, and participatory dispute resolution process including complainants and relevant stakeholders. The complaint, received in February 2020, raised concerns regarding the perceived insufficiency of the community consultations conducted and the lack of information provided to complainant(s) and others affected by this Project. Visit the case page.
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FP146 - Bio-CLIMA: Integrated climate action to reduce deforestation and strengthen resilience in BOSAWÁS and Rio San Juan Biospheres, Nicaragua
The IRM received a new complaint in June 2021. The complainant(s) alleged that the project would harm the indigenous and Afro-descendant communities inhabiting the project area. The case was declared eligible and it is now in the initial steps phase where the Case Lead is engaging with parties to gain more information about the project and discuss the next steps. Visit the case page.
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A pre-case is a communication from an external party to the IRM and information received by the IRM that is registered in the Case Management System as a pre-case and may or may not mature into a complaint. To further enhance the IRM’s transparency and accountability, the IRM has decided to keep a list of pre-cases on its Case Register.
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Human Right to Environment
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On 8 October, for the first time in history, the Human Rights Council recognised that having a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a human right. Read more about what this means for the human right to a remedy and how this right is linked to the GCF’s policies.
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Using Alternative Justice Systems to Access Redress
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Alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including grievance redress mechanisms, are often a cheaper and quicker way for communities to access redress. Therefore, we suggest public interest law groups and lawyers explore these alternative methods to provide a remedy to project-affected people.
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IRM Outreach in West Africa
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The IRM, in collaboration with Oxfam and Natural Justice, organised two outreach workshops for 120 civil society participants from 15 West African countries, where GCF has an extensive portfolio. Learn more about the barriers faced by local communities in this region and how the IRM’s outreach events attempted to reduce the impact of such barriers.
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IRM’s Participation in COP26
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The IRM participated in two side events during COP26. One event introduced mediation as a useful tool to address climate change-related conflicts. Another event was organised with the Independent Integrity Unit and the Independent Evaluation Unit of the GCF to highlight their efforts in keeping GCF projects and programmes accountable.
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2021 Capacity Building Training
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The IRM delivered three regional capacity building workshops to the staff of the GCF’s direct access entities interested in strengthening their grievance mechanisms. More than 30 participants completed the training and received certificates. The IRM also provided expert advice to the direct access entities’ grievance mechanisms that needed specific assistance in operating a well-functioning GRM. It also conducted company-community mediation for 15 participants, where participants learned how to mediate complex cases.
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Grievance Redress and Accountability Mechanisms (GRAM)
Community of Practice
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In October, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), with the support of the IRM, held the third GRAM webinar, where they discussed how to design and administer effective grievance mechanisms. In December, the fourth webinar was conducted by the Social and Environmental Compliance Unit (SECU) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the relationship between a GRM and its parent organisation.
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IFIs Addressing Retaliation Risks
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How are the Independent Accountability Mechanisms (IAMs) of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) addressing retaliation risks? Check out what was discussed on this topic during the annual meeting of the IAMs and how the GCF and the IRM provide complainants protection from retaliation risks.
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The IRM’s 2022 Workplan and Budget was approved at the last GCF Board meeting. The IRM, with the support of the new Communications Associate, will be producing innovative ways to connect with our stakeholders on the ground. Find out more about the IRM’s exciting plans for the new year!
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AE GRM Contact Information
Complainants can choose to file their complaints with the IRM or the grievance redress mechanisms of the GCF’s accredited entities. Every year, the IRM compiles a list of their contact details. However, until certain conditions are met, complaints related to the activities of some accredited entities should be submitted directly to the IRM.
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French and Arabic translation available on the IRM website
Ensuring accessibility for our stakeholders is one of the IRM’s top priorities. Recently, the IRM installed an automatic translation tool on its website. We’re starting off with French and Arabic, but Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and Swahili will soon follow!
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