* Admissibility date reflects the date the case was officially registered. All other dates pertain to the date in which a stage was completed.
Case Description
Complaint
In March 2026, the European Investment Bank Complaints Mechanism (EIB-CM) received a written communication from several civil society organisations concerning a proposed EIB loan to a Croatian state-owned forest management company, under the operation titled Croatian Sustainable Forest Management. The project was under appraisal at the time of the submission.
The complainants express concerns that approving the loan could expose the EIB to significant governance, environmental and social risks. They allege that senior management of the prospective borrower are subject to ongoing criminal investigations related to suspected fraud and corruption, and that individuals under investigation remain in senior positions.
The complaint further raises allegations of systematic destructive logging practices in environmentally protected areas, including sites designated under the Natura 2000 network and other sensitive ecosystems. According to the complainants, these practices may contravene EU environmental legislation and the EIB’s Environmental and Social Standards.
In addition, the complainants allege that the prospective borrower had initiated legal action against environmental activists and organisations, which they characterised as strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs). They argue that such practices undermine stakeholder engagement and civic space and are incompatible with the EIB’s standards on transparency and engagement with affected stakeholders.
Based on these concerns, the complainants called on the EIB to reject the proposed loan.
Work performed
The EIB-CM carried out an admissibility check to determine whether the complaint met the admissibility criteria under the EIB Group Complaints Mechanism Policy.
Conclusion
The complaint was deemed admissible and, as the EIB was appraising the project at the time of complaint receipt, it registered the complaint under prevention procedure in line with article 4.2.2 of the EIB Group Complaints Mechanism Policy.
Outcome
Prevention procedure