Data Digest
This Data Digest outlines the quantitative landscape of ADB’s AM, providing insights into the volume, nature, and outcomes of complaints received throughout the year. It explores the numbers behind our work in 2023, such as the sectors and regions most affected, the types of issues raised, and the resolution pathways pursued.
A science class at Kalika Model School, Ram Bazar in Pokhara, Nepal.
A science class at Kalika Model School, Ram Bazar in Pokhara, Nepal.
This comprehensive overview aims to shed light on the diverse range of challenges and opportunities that shape our commitment to a transparent and inclusive AM.
AM-related complaints are those that are received by the Complaint Receiving Officer (CRO) from project-affected people, including those that are eventually forwarded to either the Special Project Facilitator (SPF) or Compliance Review Panel (CRP), administratively closed by the CRO, or remain pending with the CRO by the end of the year.
Since 2012, the CRO has recorded a total of 291 AM-related complaints. Particularly noteworthy is the significant increase in complaints between 2016 and 2023. There have also been more complaints received and processed about the AM in 2023 than any other year since the adoption of the 2012 Accountability Mechanism Policy (AMP).
Although the higher number of complaints may show that more project-affected people are openly expressing their grievances caused by ADB-assisted projects, this may also indicate the increased visibility of the AM through more effective outreach, more active facilitation by civil society organizations (CSOs) and nongovernment organizations (NGOs), and the confidence of complainants that their complaints may be resolved by the AM.
Complaints Received, 2023
In 2023, the CRO received 108 complaints, including one complaint received in late 2022. Of these complaints: 40 were AM-related complaints; and 68 were not AM-related complaints and were forwarded by the CRO to the relevant ADB departments for resolution.
Breakdown of Accountability Mechanism-Related Complaints Received by the Complaint Receiving Officer, 2023
Breakdown of Accountability Mechanism-Admissible Complaints
AM-admissible complaints are AM-related complaints that have met the minimum requirements for filing a complaint as outlined in paragraph 151 of the 2012 AM Policy and have been forwarded to either the SPF or CRP.
Profile of Complainants
A total of 115 complainants, comprising 79 men and 36 women, along with 40 households represented by complainants, lodged 22 complaints containing sufficient information to be forwarded to the OSPF or the OCRP. These complainants are residents, business owners, landowners, and farmers. Additionally, two of the complainants were represented by a lawyer. The complainants’ choice to seek the aid of legal representation could indicate their perception of a risk of retaliation or a barrier to their ability to file the complaints with the AM.
Confidentiality
The complainants in 9 of the 22 AM-admissible complaints, or 41%, requested that their identities be kept confidential. The high percentage of complainants requesting confidentiality may indicate that the complainants fear reprisals or have other concerns associated with making grievances public. This is consistent with the percentage of complaints requesting for confidentiality from 2012 to 2022. The reasons behind this trend could relate to issues of personal safety, job security, potential legal implications, and the decreasing civic space in some countries. The high number of confidentiality requests could also suggest that some project-affected persons may not have filed their complaint since they perceived that their confidentiality could not be guaranteed. Implementing measures to ensure confidentiality and reduce the risk of retaliation may encourage more individuals to come forward with their grievances, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced.
