Compliance Review/Mediation Request

Who can Request a Review or Mediation?

  • Any group of two or more people in the country or countries where the Bank Group-financed project is located who believe that as a result of the Bank Group’s violation of its policies and/or procedures, their rights or interests have been, or are likely to be, adversely affected in a direct and material way.
  • Organizations, associations, societies or other groupings of individuals adversely affected by a Bank Group financed project.
  • A duly appointed local representative acting on explicit instructions as the agent of adversely affected people. Foreign representatives may act as agents in cases where no adequate or appropriate representation is available in the country or countries where the project is located.

What information shall be included in a Request for Compliance Review or Mediation ?

  • Description of the project.
  • Explain how Bank Group policies, procedures, contractual document were seriously violated.
  • Describe how the act or omission on the part of the Bank Group has led or may lead to a violation of the specific provision.
  • Describe how the parties are, or are likely to be, materially and adversely affected by the Bank Group’s act or omission.
  • Describe the steps taken by the affected parties to resolve the violation with Bank Group staff, and explain how the Bank Group’s response was inadequate.
  • In Requests relating to matters previously submitted to CRMU, specify what new evidence or changed circumstances justify revisiting the issue.
  • If some of the above information cannot be provided, an explanation should be included in the Request.
  • Attachments to the Request :
    • All correspondences with Bank Group staff,
    • Notes of meetings with Bank Group staff,
    • A map or diagram, if relevant, showing the location of the affected parties or area affected by the project, and
    • Any other evidence suporting the Request.

Request Format and submission 

  • No specific form is necessary, a letter will be sufficient.
  • Submitted in writing, dated and signed.
  • In the language of the Bank (English or French). .
  • The Request shall be sent by registered or certified mail or delivered by hand in a sealed envelope against receipt to the CRMU or the Bank Group’s resident representative in the country where the project is located.

Limitations

CRMU is not authorized to receive Requests related to:

  • Procurement,
  • Fraud and corruption,
  • Frivolous or malicious complaints,
  • Matters before the Administrative Tribunal of the Bank,
  • Matters before other judicial review or similar bodies,
  • Complaints motivated by an intention to gain competitive advantage,
  • Matters already considered by the IRM, except where there is material new evidence,
  • Actions that are the responsibility of other parties,
  • Adequacy or suitability of Bank Group policies and procedures, and
  • Private sector project, except in respect of environmental or social policies.

Request Registration & processing

  • The CRMU director shall upon receipt of a Request conduct a preliminary review to determine whether the Request contains a bona fide allegation of harm from a Bank Group-financed operation.
  • Within 14 days of receipt, the CRMU director shall decide whether to register the Request, or ask for additional information, in which case the decision period may be extended until the necessary information and documents have been filed, or decide that the Request is outside the mandate of IRM.
  • If the CRMU director determines that the Request contains a bona fide allegation of harm arising from a Bank Group-financed operation, the CRMU director shall determine whether the request shall be registered for Mediation (Problem-solving) exercise, or for further consideration for a Compliance Review.

Request registration will involve:

  • CRMU director will issue a Registration notification to the Requestors, i.a. including name of the Requestors, the project, the country, and contact addresses. A copy shall be sent to the Boards of Directors, the President and Management of the Bank Group.
    CRMU director will request Bank Group Management within 21 days after receipt of the Notification, to provide written evidence that it has complied, or intends to comply with the Bank Group’s relevant policies and procedures.
    CRMU may request clarifications from Management or seek more information from the Requestors in light of Management's response within a set time limit.
    If there is no response from Management within the set time limit, the Director CRMU shall notify the Boards and the President, with a copy to the Requestors.

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