The EIB Group Complaints Mechanism co-organised a workshop for 14 mediators based in the Middle East and North Africa. The workshop offered a deep dive into the specificities of mediating disputes arising in the context of development projects. As part of the workshop, participants conducted role plays, during which they had to navigate complex situations involving power imbalances, high emotions, and negotiation deadlock. The five-day workshop was held in Tunisia from 12 to 17 May 2025. It was organised together with the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) for IFC and MIGA and the Independent Recourse Mechanism (IRM) of the African Development Bank.
Through this workshop, the Complaints Mechanism was able to strengthen its network of mediators in the region. Local facilitators and mediators play a crucial role in understanding local context and dynamics, which is paramount to designing impactful dispute resolution processes. Read more about our work with local facilitators here.
The EIB Group Complaints Mechanism is a public accountability tool of the EIB Group that receives and seeks to address citizens’ concerns about EIB Group projects, policies or activities. The Complaints Mechanism may handle complaints via 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 communicate and reach a mutually acceptable solution to resolve their dispute. Unlike a judge, a mediator does not take decisions for the parties; rather, he/she facilitates a dialogue process aimed at finding an amicable solution suitable for everyone involved.
