EBRD Strengthens Transparency with Updated Access to Information Policy, Effective January 2025

EBRD Strengthens Transparency with Updated Access to Information Policy, Effective January 2025

(IN BRIEF) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved an updated Access to Information Policy, which will take effect on January 1, 2025. This revised framework aims to improve transparency, accessibility, and accountability in the Bank’s information-sharing practices. Developed over an 18-month review process involving extensive public consultation, the updated policy aligns with international standards and emphasizes proactive information disclosure while narrowing exceptions. Notable updates include enhanced transparency around the Bank’s decision-making and operations, with a clear structure for requesting information and appealing denied access. The EBRD will also report annually on the policy’s implementation, making these reports publicly available to reinforce its commitment to transparency.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 6-Nov-2024— /EuropaWire/ — The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced the approval of significant revisions to its Access to Information Policy, a move designed to bolster the institution’s commitment to transparency and accountability. Set to take effect on January 1, 2025, this updated framework aims to improve the accessibility of information while ensuring the Bank remains accountable to its diverse stakeholders.

This policy revision follows an extensive 18-month review process that involved comprehensive public consultation. The new guidelines align with global best practices in transparency and information dissemination, reflecting the EBRD’s dedication to fostering openness.

Among the notable changes are the introduction of new proactive disclosure principles and a refined list of exceptions, which are now based on clearer criteria that consider the potential harm of information release. The 2024 framework also aims to enhance transparency regarding the EBRD’s decision-making processes and its operational communications, carefully balancing the Bank’s unique mandate with the needs of its clients across various regions.

The revised Access to Information Policy outlines the EBRD’s pledge to transparency and describes the mechanisms for upholding these commitments through its Directive on Access to Information. A core principle of the updated policy emphasizes the right of individuals to request information, as well as the ability to appeal any decisions made by the Bank regarding access to information.

Furthermore, the EBRD will provide annual reports to its Board of Directors detailing the implementation of this policy, which will also be made publicly accessible, reinforcing the institution’s adherence to its transparency standards.

This press release was authored to convey the key details surrounding the EBRD’s updated Access to Information Policy and its implications for stakeholders.

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SOURCE: EBRD