Key dates [EBRD - Basic facts]

2009

January - In response to the global financial crisis, the EBRD develops crisis-response packages for countries and clients in the region. So far, 20 such projects worth €800 million have been approved or are under consideration to stimulate businesses affected by the crisis.
February - As the crisis deepens, the EBRD revises its 2009 economic growth forecasts. The Bank now expects average 2009 growth of 0.1 percent in the 30 countries where it has investments, compared with a prediction of 2.5 percent based on country forecasts made in November 2008.
March - EBRD launches new sustainable energy financing facilities worth a total of €110 million for the Western Balkans. The new funding is a continuation of the EBRD’s drive to promote energy efficiency and to unlock new sustainable sources of energy throughout the whole EBRD region.
April - The EBRD responds to the impact of the global economic crisis on the countries of eastern Europe with a sharp rise in investments. With a 64 per cent increase in financing, EBRD investments hit a record €1.1 billion in the first quarter of 2009.
May - In its first project in Turkey since the country became an EBRD country of operations in 2008, the Bank provides a €45 million loan for the construction of the largest wind farm in the country. The project will help Turkey promote clean energy and reduce dependency on imported fuel sources.
May - Annual Meeting in London. At the centre of discussion at the official meetings of the Board of Governors were the impact of the global financial crisis on the EBRD region as well as the newly launched second phase of the Sustainable Energy Initiative (SEI).
June - Two rouble bond issues were launched by the EBRD underscoring the Bank’s commitment to the development of the domestic capital market and supporting its strategy of local currency lending in Russia.
July - A $500 million long-term loan to Russian Railways (RZD) was approved by the EBRD’s Board of Directors.
August - The joint EBRD-EIB Multilateral Carbon Credit Fund (MCCF) purchases carbon credits generated by cutting gas-flaring at eastern Siberia oil field. This is the Fund's first venture in Russia.
August - Slovakia's first Public Private Partnership (PPP) project - the construction of R1 motorway - receives backing from the EBRD through a €200 million loan. The project is an important step for the modernisation of the Slovak transport infrastructure.
September - The EBRD increases its annual investment volume to €8 billion, thus investing 52 per cent more than in 2008. The decision reflects an increased demand for financing from the countries of operations.
September - The EBRD and the IFC issue Guidance Notes on Workers' Accommodation (0.4Mb) to address processes and standards that should be applied to workers’ accommodation in projects financed by the two institutions.
October - EBRD, EIB and the World Bank pledge renewed action to support the region's return to growth. The three institutions are well on track in delivering on the Joint IFI Action Plan with commitments of already €16.3 billion by September 2009. The Joint IFI Action Plan supports the banking systems and lending to the real economy in Central and Eastern Europe.
October - The EBRD, the Financial Times and the UniCredit Group launch an essay competition "Born in '89" to mark the 20th anniversary of the collapse of the Berlin Wall. The competition is open to citizens born in 1989 in those EBRD countries of operations with a communist legacy.
October - EBRD opens its office in Istanbul, Turkey. In October 2009, the Bank signs three projects in the country and aims to deliver investments of around €200 million.
November - EBRD and the Centre for European Reform hold a conference to mark 20 years of transition at the Bank's London headquarters.
November - Launch of the EBRD’s annual Transition Report 2009, which focuses on the challenges posed by the financial crisis: both for the countries directly, and for the economic strategies they have followed since the collapse of communism.

2008

March – EBRD co-hosts a conference with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on “Fighting food inflation through sustainable investment".
April - The Board of Directors allocates 80 per cent of the EBRD's 2007 net income to reserves and €115 million to the newly-established Shareholder Special Fund. The remaining €135 million from the profits will be paid in the form of a grant to the decommissioning of Chernobyl.
May - Annual Meeting in Kiev, Ukraine. Thomas Mirow is appointed EBRD President.
The EBRD's 2008 Environmental and Social Policy and Performance Requirements was approved by the Board of Directors. It reflects improvements suggested by stakeholders and applies to projects that are appraised after 12 November 2008.
June - EBRD opens its 4th Russian regional office in the city of Samara. The Samara office covers the Volga Federal District where over 20 percent of Russia’s population lives.
July - EBRD co-hosts the Making Roads Safe Conference aimed at ensuring that all internationally funded road projects in developing countries meet tough criteria for safety assessment and design.
October - Turkey accepted as an EBRD country of operations.
November - Launch of the EBRD’s annual Transition Report which predicts a sharp fall in growth in the countries where the Bank invests in the face of the global economic slowdown and financial crisis.
December - The EBRD is the highest ranking IFI in the 2008 Global Accountability Report which looks at transparency, participation, evaluation and complaint and response mechanisms of global organisations.

2007

March - EBRD hosts a conference on "Financing clean energy: a framework for public-private partnership to tackle climate change".
May - Annual Meeting in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan.
June - Resident office in Podgorica, Montenegro opens.
December - Czech Republic graduates from the EBRD having achieved an advanced state of transition.

2006

January - Regional seminar is hosted in Bulgaria and focuses on investment in manufacturing and the enterprise sector in southeast Europe.
May - Annual Meeting in London. Board of Governors approves new five-year strategy in the context of the Capital Resources Review.
July - Mongolia accepted as an EBRD country of operations.
October - Following a declaration of independence in June, Montenegro becomes a member of the EBRD.

2005

February - Regional seminar is held in Tirana (Albania), focusing on the development of the energy sector across south-eastern Europe.
March - Regional seminar is held in Skopje (Macedonia), focusing on private-sector development and regional integration of the financial sector.
May - Annual Meeting in Belgrade, Serbia.
August - EBRD Trade Facilitation Programme finances its 4,000th transaction.

2004

April - Annual Meeting in London, UK.
May - Eight EBRD countries (Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovak Republic, Slovenia) become Member States of the European Union.
June - The Early Transition Countries initiative is launched to support investment in the Bank's seven poorest countries of operation.
July - The Independent Recourse Mechanism (IRM) is launched, providing local groups with a means of raising a complaint about a Bank-financed project.
President Jean Lemierre begins second four-year term of office.

2003

April – A new Environmental policy is approved. It sets parameters for reviewing community issues, such as the impact of EBRD investments on local communities and their cultural heritage.
May – Annual Meeting in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
September - Public consultations are held in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey to understand concerns and provide information to local communities about the construction and operation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyham oil pipeline.

2002

February - A telephone hotline is established to report allegations of fraud, corruption or other misconduct in the Bank's activities or projects.
May – Annual Meeting in Bucharest, Romania.
June – Three draft papers are published proposing improvements to the Bank's transparency, accountability and good governance: the Public Information Policy review, the Environmental Policy review and the Independent Recourse Mechanism.
September – EBRD plays an active part in the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg, South Africa, contributing to discussions on issues of transparency and accountability.

2001

March - Resident Office in Belgrade opens.
April - Annual Meeting in London, UK. Following the second Capital Resources Review, the Board of Governors confirms that no capital increase is needed.
September - The NGO Relations Unit is established to facilitate the ongoing dialogue with civil society. Every year since 2000 civil society organisations meet EBRD senior management during the NGO programme at the Bank's Annual Meeting.

2000

February - EU initiates accession negotiations with Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and the Slovak Republic.
April - Annual Meeting in Riga, Latvia.
July - EBRD publishes new Public Information Policy (PIP).
December - Closure of Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

1999

April - Annual Meeting in London, UK. Board of Governors endorses Moving Transition Forward, a revised operational strategy for the Bank.
September - In the wake of the Kosovo conflict, the EBRD launches the South Eastern Europe Action Plan to promote investment and assist economic recovery in the region.

1998

March - European Union accession negotiations are initiated with five of the Bank's countries of operations (the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia).
May - Annual Meeting in Kiev, Ukraine
November - EBRD opens local office in Yerevan, Armenia, completing its network of Resident Offices in each of its countries of operations.

1997

April - Annual Meeting in London, UK. Doubling of the EBRD's capital base to €20 billion becomes effective.
December - Chernobyl Shelter Fund (0.3Mb) becomes operational, with the EBRD acting as its administrator. Under the Fund, donor funding is used to assist Ukraine with safety measures at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

1996

April - Annual Meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria. Shareholders unanimously approve a doubling of the EBRD's capital base to €20 billion.
June - Bosnia and Herzegovina becomes the Bank's 60th member and its 26th country of operations.
December - Bank signs its first project in Tajikistan, thereby achieving commitments in each of its countries of operations.

1995

April - Annual Meeting in London, UK. Governors ask Board of Directors to undertake a study on the Bank's future resource requirements.
October - EBRD participates in the first joint mission by international financial institutions to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

1994

April - Annual Meeting in St Petersburg, Russia. Board of Governors endorses medium-term strategy

1993

January - Czech Republic and Slovak Republic admitted to membership of the EBRD.
March - EBRD accepts G-7's invitation to administer the Nuclear Safety Account, a multilateral programme to improve safety in the region's nuclear power plants.
April - Annual Meeting held in London for first time. Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia admitted to membership of the Bank.
July - Russia Small Business Fund is launched to support small and medium-sized enterprises.

1992

April - First Annual Meeting of Board of Governors held in Budapest, Hungary.
July - Break-up of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
December - The 12 newly-independent states of the former Soviet Union and Slovenia complete EBRD membership procedures. Break-up of the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic.

1991

April - Inauguration of the EBRD in London attended by Governors representing the 41 initial members of the Bank.
June - First project approved in the state sector - for Bank of Poznan in Poland.
September - First three private sector projects approved.
November - Agreement signed for first Resident Office in Warsaw. Board of Governors approves membership for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
December - Break-up of the Soviet Union.

1990

January - Negotiations on establishing the EBRD begin in Paris.
May - Agreement Establishing the Bank signed in Paris.

1989

October - President François Mitterrand of France proposes to the European Parliament the creation of a bank for eastern Europe.
December - European Council in Strasbourg endorses proposal to create the EBRD.