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Home › Free tools › Environmental and Social Standards Readiness Assessment (WB, ADB, EBRD, AfDB, EIB)
Environmental and Social Standards Readiness Assessment (WB, ADB, EBRD, AfDB, EIB)
Lenders have renewed their environmental and social rules: ADB's new Environmental and Social Framework has applied since 1 January 2026, EBRD's 2024 Environmental and Social Policy introduced Environmental and Social Requirements (ESR 1 to 10), AfDB's updated Integrated Safeguards System took effect on 31 May 2024, and the World Bank ESF and EIB Environmental and Social Standards remain in force. This assessment checks the areas these frameworks share, so one team can be ready for several lenders. This is a real readiness tool: each question is drawn from the current official texts listed under "Based on", and Risalat's guideline monitor re-checks those sources every two weeks so the questions follow new editions.
- Assessment
- 15 min
- Free
- Sources checked October 2026
Who it is for
- Project implementation units and E&S specialists
- Ministries and agencies preparing MDB-financed projects
- Contractors and supervision consultants with E&S obligations
- Private clients of EBRD, EIB, IFC or ADB
- Consultants preparing ESIAs, ESMPs, RAPs and SEPs
What you get
- A readiness score across six shared E&S areas
- A gap list matched to the standards lenders will check
- The instruments you are likely to need (ESCP, ESMP, SEP, RAP, LMP)
- Practical steps for each weak area
- Programmes that build the missing skills
How this tool works
- Built on
- World Bank Environmental and Social Standards (ESS1 to ESS10); ADB Environmental and Social Framework; EBRD Environmental and Social Policy 2024
- Scoring
- Each answer scores from 0 (not in place) to 4 (fully in place). An area's score is the points earned as a share of the maximum for the questions you answered; the overall score is the average of the areas. Bands: Early stage 0–39%, Developing 40–69%, Ready 70–100%.
- Your data
- What you type stays in your browser unless you save it to a free account. We receive your name, email and summary only when you open your results.
- Sources checked
- October 2026 (checked every month)
- Team or organisation
- With a free account you can invite colleagues from each department to answer the same questions. You get a consolidated dashboard: scores by area and department, where colleagues disagree, priority gaps and an action plan. Anonymous mode hides names and groups departments with fewer than 3 responses.
Need a verified result? Ask for an independent assessment by Risalat.
Programmes that build these skills
Upcoming programmes whose content matches the areas this tool measures. Your results show which fit your weakest areas.
ProgrammeEnvironmental and Social Safeguards (ESF) for Project Teams in KigaliKigali · 8 Feb 2027Builds: Assessment and management systemProgrammeEnvironmental and Social Safeguards Training and Tour in CopenhagenCopenhagen · 8 Feb 2027Builds: Assessment and management systemProgrammeEnvironmental & Social Safeguards (World Bank ESF, IFC Performance Standards & ADB SPS) TrainingCopenhagen · 22 Feb 2027Builds: Assessment and management systemProgrammeLabour Market Intelligence and Skills Forecasting in ViennaVienna · 4 Jan 2027Builds: Labour, OHS and community safetyProgrammePublic Employment Services and Youth Labour Market Integration in DubaiDubai · 15 Feb 2027Builds: Labour, OHS and community safetyProgrammeExecutive Communication, Influence & Stakeholder Engagement TrainingMale · 1 Feb 2027Builds: Stakeholder engagement and grievance
Nothing here for your exact need? Ask for an in-house programme built around your gaps, or browse all programmes.
Questions
What is new in ADB's Environmental and Social Framework?
ADB replaced its 2009 Safeguard Policy Statement with an Environmental and Social Framework approved on 22 November 2024. It applies from 1 January 2026 and sets ten Environmental and Social Standards, closer in structure to the World Bank ESF.
What changed in EBRD's 2024 policy?
The Environmental and Social Policy 2024 replaced the 2019 policy, and the Performance Requirements are now called Environmental and Social Requirements, numbered ESR 1 to ESR 10.
Can one set of documents satisfy several lenders?
Often yes for co-financed projects, if the documents meet the stricter requirement on each issue. Lenders usually agree a common approach, but check with each one.
Which standard covers sexual exploitation and abuse?
SEA/SH is addressed mainly through the labour and community health and safety standards and, for the World Bank, through procurement documents and contract requirements.
Based on
- World Bank Environmental and Social Standards (ESS1 to ESS10) World Bank ESF, applied to new investment projects since 1 October 2018.
- ADB Environmental and Social Framework Approved 22 November 2024, effective 1 January 2026; ten Environmental and Social Standards.
- EBRD Environmental and Social Policy 2024 Replaces the 2019 policy; Performance Requirements renamed Environmental and Social Requirements (ESR 1 to 10).
- AfDB updated Integrated Safeguards System becomes effective AfDB press release (via AllAfrica): approved 12 April 2023, effective 31 May 2024.
- EIB Environmental and Social Standards European Investment Bank, 2022.
Sources checked: October 2026. We check the official sources every month.
This is a self-assessment and training tool covering requirements common to the main lenders. It does not replace the lender's own review; always apply the framework and version named in your financing agreement.