Understanding and Leveraging the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework: A Toolkit for MENA CSOs
Introduction to the toolkit
This guide, in its third part, is designed to address a critical area for civil society organizations (CSOs) across the Arab region: understanding and engaging with the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and its Environmental and Social Standards (ESS). Building on the foundation laid in the previous toolkits, where the first part focused on navigating the World Bank’s website and locating/understanding project-related documents, and the second part focused on explaining the WB’s different lending instruments, this part provides a more in-depth look at how the Bank, through its ESF, ensures that projects financed through Investment Project Financing (IPF) align with sustainable development goals.
CSOs in the region often struggle to understand the complex policies that guide the World Bank’s operations, particularly regarding its environmental and social standards. This difficulty arises from the technical language and procedural complexity of these frameworks. However, building a strong understanding of the World Bank’s ESF is crucial for several reasons, especially for CSOs seeking to advocate for transparency, accountability, and community rights in development projects.
First, the ESSs place a clear responsibility on borrowers to identify, assess, and manage environmental and social risks throughout the entire project cycle—from planning and design to implementation, monitoring, and completion. This approach not only outlines how risks should be mitigated but also creates well-defined entry points where CSOs can engage. By participating at various stages, CSOs can ensure that environmental and social considerations are fully integrated into project design and implementation.
Second, the ESF emphasizes the important role of stakeholders, particularly affected communities, in the development process. It mandates consultations, public participation, and continuous information disclosure. This requirement reinforces the role of CSOs as key advocates for community interests, providing them with a formal avenue to ensure that local concerns and rights are recognized, prioritized, and integrated into project decisions.
By explaining the ESF and breaking down its key components, this guide seeks to empower CSOs to actively monitor compliance, raise concerns when standards are not being met, and advocate for development outcomes that prioritize both social well-being and environmental sustainability. Click here to read the toolkit
By Mariya Sahnouni