| About us
The Management Grievance Mechanism is a tool for individuals, communities or groups to submit grievances related to environmental and/or social issues of a project financed or considering financing by the IDB Invest.
The MGM serves as direct channel of communication to hear firsthand from external stakeholders, find timely solutions, strengthening client capacity and gather lessons learned for the institution.
Who can file a grievance?
Anyone who is concerned about environmental and/or social issues of a project financed or to be financed by IDB Invest. The Mechanism accepts grievances in all languages and formats.
What to include in the grievance?
- The location of the project and the name, if known
- The concerns you have related to the project, and your views on how it will impact the environment or social aspects
- The best way to reach you
- Supporting documentation and evidence is not necessary but may be helpful in reviewing and proposing solutions to the complaint
- The need (or not) to maintain confidentiality
Note: The MGM does not manage complaints regarding issues of fraud, corruption, ethics or similar issues.
| What we do
We handle received grievances through a simple four step process:
- First, we receive the grievance through any of the available channels.
- Then, we verify eligibility, by checking if a) it is related to a project that is financed or considering financing by the IDB Invest, and b) it is related to an environmental and/or social issue the project.
- Then, we assess the grievance to better understand the issues presented, the relation with the project and possible solutions.
- We work closely with the complainants and the client to seek the most suitable ways to address the grievance, presented in a response.
- The actions are monitored by the Grievance Mechanism.
When a project is not yet approved, we can engage in an ongoing engagement process. This is a proactive dialogue intended to address the concerns presented and keep an open channel of communication.
| What to expect
Throughout the process:
- We will reach out to you via your preferred means of communication.
- We will maintain your identity confidential if you fear retaliation for voicing your concerns.
- We will look for solutions to address your concerns in close collaboration with the client and in the context of the project.
- We will monitor agreed actions.
- We will guide you through the process and clarify any questions.
Potential outcomes of a process
The Grievance Mechanism does not substitute any existing grievance mechanism but provides a new option to local communities and stakeholders seeking to raise a concern or complaint.
| Other channels
Connect with our clients
- IDB Invest requires its clients to establish a Grievance Mechanism to address concerns regarding the project’s environmental and social performance. A Project-level grievance mechanism represents an opportunity for companies and stakeholders to identify potential issues of concern to local communities and develop solutions in a participatory manner.
- Therefore, individuals or communities are encouraged to contact the client through its grievance mechanism first, to request project-related information or present complaints. IDB Invest discloses the client’s contact information for each project under our Projects site.
- If a complaint with a client remains unresolved or if there is any fear of reprisals, we encourage stakeholders to reach out directly to the MGM.
Independent Consultation and Investigation Mechanism (MICI)
- MICI is an independent accountability office, that impartially addresses and investigates environmental and social complaints from individuals or communities that are considered affected by projects financed by IDB Invest.
- Individuals and communities can reach out to the MICI at any time without the need to exhaust the other channels.
- A request will be deemed eligible by the MICI if, among others, the individuals or communities describe the efforts made to address the issues with IDB Invest.
- For more information about the MICI, please visit its website.
| Resources
| Videos
Do you feel impacted by an IDB Group financed project? Have a look at some options available to you.
Learn about this channel for individuals or groups to submit complaints related to a project it is financed by the IDB Invest.
This video presents an overview of how the MGM works, why is it important and how to reach us.
Publications
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March 2023Management Led Grievance Mechanism: A New IDB Invest Tool to Address Environmental and Social Grievances from Projects
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Other contact points
• Phone: +1 202-312-4040
• e-mail: mgm@idbinvest.org
• Mailing address: 1350 New York Ave NW. Washington DC 20005, or any of IDB Invest country offices.