About the Mechanism

The Independent Consultation and Investigation Mechanism (ICIM) is a Policy approved by the Bank’s Board of Executive Directors in February 2010. This ICIM Policy establishes an independent forum and process to address complaints from communities or individuals who allege that they are or might be adversely affected by IDB-financed operations. The ICIM oversees compliance with the IDB’s Relevant Operational Policies.

The ICIM is a reflection of the IDB’s institutional commitment to accountability, transparency and effectiveness. The ICIM is a process that responds directly to concerns raised by individuals or communities affected by projects. It functions independently from IDB’s Management, which designs and executes operations. The ICIM’s activities are reported to the public and to the IDB’s Board of Executive Directors, which supervises the Bank's operations. Consequently, the ICIM lays the path to a more open dialogue with civil society. The ICIM offers the IDB and civil society a way to review the impact of IDB-financed operations in member countries, strengthening civil society’s role as a partner in the development process.