The Inspection Panel is the World Bank’s independent complaints mechanism. Its mandate is to ensure that the voices of people who may be adversely affected by Bank-financed projects are heard, and to promote accountability at the Bank.
The Inspection Panel is a non-judicial body. The Panel acts independently, impartially, and objectively to evaluate whether the Bank has followed its operational policies and procedures—including Environmental and Social Safeguard Policies and the Environmental and Social Framework—throughout the design, appraisal, and implementation of Bank-financed projects. The Panel does not initiate investigations unless it receives a formal, written Request for Inspection.
Who Can File
The Panel will review complaints from:
- Any group of two or more people in the country where the Bank-financed project is located who believe their rights or interests have been, or are likely to be, adversely affected in a direct and material way due to the Bank’s failure to follow its policies and procedures. This group may be an organization, association, society, or other collective.
- A duly appointed local representative acting on explicit instructions as the agent of adversely affected people.
- In exceptional cases, a foreign representative acting as the agent of adversely affected people.
- A World Bank Executive Director, in special cases involving serious alleged violations of Bank policies and procedures.
Requirements
The Requesters need to demonstrate in writing that:
- They live in the project area (or represent people who do), and have been or are likely to be adversely affected by project activities.
- They believe that they may suffer actual or future harm resulting from a failure by the Bank to comply with its policies and procedures.
- Their concerns have been brought to the attention of Bank Management, and they are not satisfied with the outcome.
- Requests for Inspection should be submitted in writing, in any language, and do not require a specific format. 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 request for confidentiality in the handling of their Request.
- The Inspection Panel is not authorized to proceed with requests under certain conditions, as specified in its mandate and operating procedures.