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Protocol for managing environmental andsocial grievances

Introduction

Grievance Submission

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Applicability

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Assessment and Response

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Monitoring

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At the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), we will work with you to provide an adequate response to your concerns in a timely manner.

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Introduction

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Please remember you can access several channels to submit a complaint related to an IDB-financed project:

• A project-level grievance mechanism managed by the Executing Agency and the contractors

• Your local authorities

• Directly to the IDB

• The Independent Consultation and Investigation Mechanism (MICI, for his acronym in Spanish) - the independent office for environmental and social complaints of the IDB Group

Here is the process if you prefer to submit your grievance directly to the IDB.

MICI

Please keep in mind that a grievance is within the scope of this protocol if:

• it is related to an IDB-financed project, in preparation or execution, at the time the grievance was received.

• it has been less than 24 months since the last disbursement of the IDB operation; and

• it is related to an environmental and/or social issue. Topics related to ethics, corruption, and procurement issues are managed by different IDB departments.

How to navigate this guide:

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The MICI is a last resort instance, independent from project teams and IDB management, to address complaints from affected communities. MICI provides an impartial dispute resolution process, aiming to reach an agreement, and a fact-finding investigation to determine whether the IDB has complied with its relevant operational policies.

Grievance Submission

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Once a grievance has beensubmitted, the IDB will send you a communication within

You can submit a grievance through any means, such as:

• The Protocol's inbox at: quejas@iadb.org
• The IDB Grievance Protocol form
• Printed form obtained from an IDB Country office or Headquarters
• Email to IDB personnel
• Telephone calls, including messaging us at: +1 (202) 826-3705
• Regular mail to any Country Office or Headquarters
• Visits in person to any Country Office or Headquarters

Let us know if you would like your case to be confidential

2 business days acknowledging receipt.

How to navigate this guide:

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APPLICABILITY

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The IDB will assess if your complaint is within the scope of the Protocol. Topics related to ethics, corruption, and procurement issues are managed by different IDB departments.ration.

Fast-trackIf the situation represents an imminent risk to you or others, the IDB will follow a fast-track process to address your grievance as soon as possible.

All grievances will receive a communication with the results of the applicability assessment within 5 business days of confirmation of receipt.

The grievance is within the scope of this Protocol if:

• It is related to an IDB operation that is in preparation, approved, or in execution within 24 months after last disbursement.
• It is related to environmental and/or social aspects of an operation.

How to navigate this guide:

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ASSESSMENT AND RESPONSE

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The IDB will contact you and the Executing Agency to agree on the best way forward to address the grievance. If you requested confidentiality, the IDB will not share your personal information with the Executing Agency.

Action planWhen appropiate, the response will include a proposed action plan to address your concerns. Through dialogue between the Executive Agency, the IDB and you, the aim is to reach an agreement about that action plan.This plan will describe the activities to be implemented by the Executing Agency . The IDB will monitor the plan until its full completion. Although we will work with you to facilitate dialogue and reach agreements, we recognize there may be situations where you may not be satisfied with the response and proposed actions. You may withdraw your grievance at any stage of the process. Also, you can decide to submit your grievance to the MICI.

After this dialogue, you can expect a written response from the IDB within 30 business days after receiving the applicability notice (or within 15 business days for cases of imminent risk).

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We expect to hear from you within 10 business days after receiving IDB's initial response. We will follow-up with you in case this deadline has passed. _ If after further 20 business days we haven't heard back, we will understand you no longer require IDB’s help, and we will close the grievance.

The MICI is a last resort instance, independent from project teams and IDB management, to address complaints from affected communities. MICI provides an impartial dispute resolution process, aiming to reach an agreement, and a fact-finding investigation to determine whether the IDB has complied with its relevant operational policies. All MICI procedures, including the requirements for filing a complaint, are governed by the MICI Policy, available on the MICI website https://www.iadb.org/mici. Information on the process and requirements can be accessed by contacting the MICI at mecanismo@iadb.org.

MONITORING

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Once there is an agreement on an action plan the monitoring stage begins. You will be periodically updated about its implementation by the Executing Agency. The IDB will monitor these communications as part of its supervision efforts and provide support to facilitate the dialogue as needed. Also, the IDB may continue direct engagment with you in cases of inmminent risk to you or others, until the full completion of the actions.

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ACCESS CHANNELS

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The IDB is always available to hear your concerns regarding its projects. Access the IDB Grievance Protocol submission form below. You can also contact us directly at: quejas@iadb.org.Get to know more about the IDB Group Complaints System following this link.

Access THE form

How to navigate this guide:

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Examples of imminent risk grievances include, but are not limited to:

• Alleged incidents of sexual and gender-based violence, including exploitation, abuse, and harassment.
• Alleged incidents of child or forced labor
• Accidents or incidents leading to deaths, severe injuries, or life-threatening situations.
• Alleged incidents of unplanned or accidental significant impacts on natural resources in critical ecosystems, such as protected areas or key biodiversity areas (KBAs).
• Fear of retaliation or threats to health and life of project affected parties, civil society advocates or complainants.