Based on the analysis of the project documentation, independent media reports, surveys and discussions with local civil society revealed that the Nenskra project represents the perfect example of a gender blind project, where the project sponsor fails to identify the negative social and gender impacts on the community, to protect women from disproportionately bearing the negative impacts and to ensure that women and men benefit equally from the project.

In light of the upcoming review of Azerbaijan's status in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), 18 international civil society organisations call on the EITI Board to suspend Azerbaijan from participation in the EITI, due to continuous breach of the initiative’s requirements for fostering an enabling environment for civil society.

This paper highlights the deficiencies of the partnership principle and public participation within the European Neighbourhood Policy, in terms of addressing the political and cultural situation in the region. The paper provides recommendations for improvement during the midterm review of the European Neighbourhood Instrument and the proposal from the Commission proposal for a legislative framework for the new EU budget 2021-2027. The paper is based on the experience of CEE Bankwatch Network and its partners between 2012 and 2016.