London, UK

The EBRD was founded in 1991 to create a new post-Cold War era in central and eastern Europe, furthering progress towards “market-oriented economies and the promotion of private and entrepreneurial initiative.”

The EBRD uses financial investment as a tool to build market economies and to promote private and entrepreneurial initiative. It also provides business services and is involved in high-level policy dialogue.

• The EBRD is open to consultation and invites public comment on new proposed institutional and operational policies, as well as strategies for the countries of operations and sectors in which they invest. See: http://www.ebrd.com/strategies-and-policies/have-your-say.html
• Dates will depend on its consultation process.

None specified.

• The EBRD is the single biggest investor in agribusiness in much of its region. Thus, advocacy to influence its lending policies (and sectors supported) and to ensure that its current policies are effectively implemented can have a large impact.
• The EBRD updated its Environmental and Social Policy (ESP) in 2014 to ensure that projects meet or exceed European Union animal welfare laws when funding agribusiness projects. Para 28 is worded:
  • “Clients involved in the farming, transport and slaughtering of animals for meat or by-products (for example, milk, eggs, wool) will adopt and implement national regulatory requirements, relevant EU animal welfare standards and GIP, whichever is most stringent, in animal husbandry techniques.”
  • The reference to good international practices (“GIP”) is important, as this could be impacted by Best Practice development (which is planned in conjunction with the World Bank).
• There are also sections on Fisheries and Aquaculture, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), and Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources, which currently have no mention of animal welfare. 
• There is also potential to advocate for wider coverage of the ESP to include other areas of animal welfare interest.