The EIB Group Complaints Mechanism (EIB-CM) co-organised a workshop for 17 francophone mediators based in Africa. The workshop aimed at building capacity of the mediators from the region for complex disputes arising in the context of development projects. The three-day workshop was held in Côte d’Ivoire from 31 January to 2 February 2023. It was organised together with the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) for IFC and MIGA and the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) of the African Development Bank.
“This workshop provided a great opportunity for the three accountability mechanisms to meet the regional mediators, to learn from each other and for the mediators to get acquainted with the particularities of the mediation processes that accountability mechanisms convene. It was wonderful to see and participate in this dynamic and fruitful exchange of passionate mediation professionals.” said Philipp König, the head of the dispute resolution unit of the EIB-CM.
The EIB-CM is a public accountability tool of the EIB Group that listens to citizens when they have concerns about an EIB Group project, policy or activities. The EIB-CM may handle complaints in a compliance review or in a collaborative dispute resolution process (e.g. mediation). Mediation is a process where a neutral third party helps two or more people in a dispute to communicate and reach a mutually acceptable solution. It's a way of resolving conflicts without going to court or using a more adversarial approach. The mediator does not make a decision for the parties but facilitates their discussion and helps them to find a solution that works for everyone involved.
