Complaints are filed to the Inspection Panel, a non-judicial body that acts independently, impartially and objectively in evaluating the process followed by the Bank. The Panel does not investigate unless it receives a formal, written complaint, known as a Request for Inspection.
Please contact us at accountability@worldbank.org. For the submission of Requests for Inspection, please contact the Inspection Panel at ipanel@worldbank.org.
The Panel has the power to review Bank-funded projects and determine whether Bank management is following the World Bank' s operational policies and procedures, which were put in place in order to provide social and economic benefits and avoid harm to people or to the environment.
Who Can File?
The Inspection Panel accepts complaints from:
Any group of two or more people in the country where the Bank-financed project is located and who believe that, as a result of the Bank’s violation of its policies and procedures, their rights or interests have been, or are likely to be, adversely affected in a direct and material way. They may be an organization, association, society or other group of individuals.
A duly appointed local representative acting on explicit instructions as the agent of adversely affected peoples.
In exceptional cases, a foreign representative acting on behalf of affected peoples.
A World Bank Executive Director in special cases of serious, alleged violations of the Bank’s policies and procedures.
Requirements
The Request needs to show in writing that the requesters:
- live in the project area (or represent people who do) and have been or are likely to be adversely affected by project activities;
- believe that they may suffer actual or future harm resulting from a failure by the Bank to comply with its policies and procedures;
- concerns have been brought to the attention of Bank management, and they are not satisfied with the outcome.
Format of the Request for Inspection
Requests can be submitted in writing in any language, and no specific form or format is required. The Request should be dated and signed by the Requesters or their representative, and may be submitted via mail or electronically, with any supporting documentation. Requesters may ask for confidentiality in the handling of the Request.
The Inspection Panel is carries out an admissibility test to determine whether a Request for Inspection can be registered. If a request is registered, the Panel determines whether the requesters and the request are eligible and may recommend an investigation.
If the Board approves the Panel's recommendation to investigate, complainants and the borrower will be given the option to enter into dispute resolution. If they both agree, the case is referred by the AM Secretary to the DRS. If the parties agree to dispute resolution, the Panel will suspend its investigation until the dispute resolution process is concluded. If the parties reach agreement, such agreement is memorialized in a Dispute Resolution Agreement and the case is closed. However, if the parties do not agree to dispute resolution or if dispute resolution is not eventually successful, the case will revert to the Inspection Panel for to carry out its investigation.
Please contact us at accountability@worldbank.org. For the submission of Requests for Inspection, please contact the Inspection Panel at ipanel@worldbank.org.