assisting Borrowers in carrying out requirements under the ten Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs), three of which are described below.4 The policy specifically says that the Bank is responsible for assisting Borrowers in implementing stakeholder engagement and consultation, and in providing grievance mechanisms for affected communities before and during the project cycle. The policy sets forth several requirements of the Bank pertaining to projects it finances. The following are those that pertain to stakeholder engagement and components of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP): a. The Bank must use all relevant information about projects and their potential risks and impacts to classify them into one of four classifications of risk: High, Substantial, Moderate, or Low (6).5 b. The Bank will “agree with the Borrower on the conditions under which the Bank is prepared to provide support to a project, as set out in the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP)” which will “form part of the legal agreement” between Borrowers and the Bank about a project. The Bank must “require the Borrower to implement the measures and actions identified in the ESCP diligently.”6 c. For projects classified as High or Substantial risk, the Bank is required to disclose documentation about the environmental and social risks so that they can inform decision making by the Bank and the design of stakeholder engagement.7 d. For all projects, regardless of risk classification, the Bank must require the Borrowers to provide information about potential project risks and impacts to stakeholders in accessible forms and understandable languages so that they can “provide meaningful input into project design and mitigation measures.”8 e. The Bank must require Borrowers to engage stakeholders “through information disclosure, consultation, and informed participation in a manner proportionate to the risks to and impacts on affected 4 5 6 7 8 Ibid. “Environmental and Social Framework,” 6, par. 23. “Environmental and Social Framework,” 4 par. 3(d); 9 par. 46-47. “Environmental and Social Framework,” 9, par. 51. “Environmental and Social Framework,” 9, par. 50. BANK INFORMATION CENTER | MAR 2021 communities.”9 The Bank must monitor stakeholder engagement and consultations by the Borrowers. f. The Bank will support Borrowers in carrying ESS7, if determined to be applicable (ESS7 is described below).10 g. The Bank will conduct a screening, including consultation with Indigenous Peoples and the Borrowers, to determine if ESS7 is applicable.11 h. The Bank must require Borrowers to provide a grievance mechanism to “receive and facilitate resolution of concerns and grievances of project affected parties.”12 2. The Bank Directive Addressing Risks and Impacts on Disadvantaged or Vulnerable Individuals or Groups (“the Directive”) As noted above, in addition to the ESP, the Bank is bound by mandatory requirements of the Directive regarding how Bank staff identify “disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals or groups” and how differentiated means will be used to address their specific circumstances (x).13 The Directive defines the term “disadvantaged or vulnerable,” a term used throughout the components of the ESF, as the following: “‘disadvantaged or vulnerable’ refers to those individuals or groups who, by virtue of, for example, their age, gender, ethnicity, religion, physical, mental or other disability, social, civic or health status, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic disadvantages or indigenous status, and/or dependence on unique natural resources, may be more likely to be adversely affected by the project impacts and/or more limited than others in their ability to take advantage of a project’s benefits. Such an individual/group is also more likely to be excluded from/unable to participate fully in the mainstream consultation process and as such may require specific measures and/or assistance to do so…”14 In establishing this definition, the Directive also establishes responsibilities of World Bank task teams to support Borrowers in preparing and implementing 9 “Environmental and Social Framework,” 10, par. 53. 10 “Environmental and Social Framework,” 10, par. 54. 11 Ibid. 12 “Environmental and Social Framework,” 11, par. 60. 13 “Environmental and Social Framework,” x, par. 7. 14 “The Directive,” 1. 22