The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a powerful international institution that provides loans to governments unable to meet their international financial obligations, such as to public and private lenders or to trade partners. The IMF is also in charge of monitoring the global economy, ensuring that trade and exchange is occurring smoothly.

However, the IMF also uses its power in ways that hurt the poor and the environment. When the IMF lends to countries, it "conditions" the loan, demanding that the government overhaul its economy. Too often these conditions lead to increased exports of natural resources and primary commodities, endangering ecosystems. Poor people are not adequately protected. Conditions are often imposed, and are negotiated in secret

Policy Brief: Impacts of IMF Programs

Case Studies: Read our case studies on the environmental impacts of IMF programs.

Letter to IMF: Read what over 100 groups from 47 countries had to say to the IMF about its lack of transparency.

Policy Brief: The IMF's lack of adequate transparency and accountability means that the IMF can take decisions that suit its major shareholders and powerbrokers rather than ordinary citizens. The world's richest countries have the greatest voting power on the IMF's Board of Directors- the United States alone has almost 20 percent of all votes- and poor countries have very little influence. Read FoE's policy brief on the IMF's governance.