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IFC is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in developing countries. By encouraging growth, IFC advances economic development, creates jobs and improves the lives of people.
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IFC advances economic development and improves the lives of people by encouraging the growth of the private sector in developing countries. We achieve this by investing in impactful projects, mobilizing other investors, and sharing expertise.
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As the largest global development institution focused on the private sector, IFC operates in more than 100 countries around the globe. We apply lessons learned in one region to solve problems in another.
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Our impact improves lives. IFC brings a clear set of advantages to the world’s most challenging markets. Including a history of innovation, a global mandate, and a determination to achieve measurable development impact.
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Owned by 186 member countries and consistently rated AAA/Aaa. IFC aims to achieve our mission of promoting development by providing debt and equity to the private sector, through a range of benchmark and bespoke products.

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Good Practice

Good Practice Note for the Private Sector: Addressing the Risks of Retaliation Against Project Stakeholders

March 24, 2021

Reprisals against those who voice concerns or opposition to development projects have grown in visibility worldwide. Victims of reprisals can be both internal to a company or project, as well as external stakeholders, including community members, activists, and members of civil society organizations. IDB Invest and IFC have developed this guidance to provide our clients and other private sector companies and their consultants with practical advice for screening, preventing, and responding to reprisals. The client stakeholder engagement and grievance mechanisms required by our safeguard standards are the entry point for these efforts.

Good Practice Summary

Good Practice Summary: 10 key steps [PDF]

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IFC approach to reprisal allegations and prevention

IFC Position Statement on Retaliation Against Civil Society and Project Stakeholders (October 2018): IFC does not tolerate any action by an IFC client that amounts to retaliation – including threats, intimidation, harassment, or violence – against those who voice their opinion regarding the activities of IFC or our clients.

IFC takes seriously any credible allegations of retaliation and, within the scope of our mandate, works with clients or other appropriate partners to address them. In such instances, IFC raises its concerns directly with the client or relevant party, makes its position against reprisals clear, and takes follow-up actions as appropriate. Any such communications and actions will be in consultation with the complainant when possible, and respecting their confidentiality. IFC seeks to prevent reprisals through the identification of risks in its due diligence processes and engagement with clients and partners on environmental and social (E&S) risk management for projects.

Related Resources

Tip Sheet for IFC Clients: Preventing Reprisals During Covid-19 Pandemic (June 2020): The purpose of this tip sheet is to provide practical advice that businesses can follow to minimize risk of reprisals, and to flag specific issues that could be exacerbated in a COVID-19 context
Stakeholder Engagement: A Good Practice Handbook for Companies Doing Business in Emerging Markets (May 2007): This guidance provides a comprehensive overview of good practice in stakeholder engagement for clients, and can be a valuable companion for reprisal-sensitive stakeholder engagement and grievance mechanism implementation.

Good Practice Note for the Private Sector: Addressing the Risks of Retaliation Against Project Stakeholders

Good Practice Summary

Download Full Publication [PDF]

IFC approach to reprisal allegations and prevention

Related Resources

Short URL for this page: www.ifc.org/reprisalrisks