NO
* 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
On 23 August 2024, the Complaints Mechanism received a complaint regarding the project from a local resident, on behalf of 155 residents of three villages located on both sides of the newly constructed first section of the E-80 highway. The complainants are concerned about the negative impacts of the project on their access to agricultural land plots and on the connecting roads between the three villages located on both sides of the highway.
Work performed
During the assessment, the Complaints Mechanism conducted meetings with the EIB services and held calls with representatives of the complainants and with the promoter. The Complaints Mechanism also reviewed information available on the project and email exchanges between the promoter and the EIB relevant services.
Conclusion
The Complaints Mechanism estimates that the disagreement, object of the complaint, should be considered as related to the eligibility under the EIB loan of the costs related to the variation orders for the local roads upgrade and, therefore, falls outside the mandate of the Complaints Mechanism.
No project non-compliance with the applicable EIB Environmental and Social Standards may therefore be verified in relation to the complaint and to the allegations. The Complaints Mechanism considers that there is therefore no prima facie evidence of maladministration attributable to the Bank regarding the proper implementation of its policies and procedures regarding the allegations at hand and, therefore, concludes that no further investigation is required.
Outcome
In line with paragraph 2.3.3 of the EIB Group Complaints Mechanism Procedures, the initial assessment phase and the complaint are hereby closed with the issuance of the conclusions report.