Mission

International Rivers Network (IRN) supports local communities working to protect their rivers and watersheds. IRN works to halt destructive river development projects, and to encourage equitable and sustainable methods of meeting needs for water, energy and flood management.

Issues

Rivers, Watershed protection, Human rights, Water, Energy, Flood management, International public finance, Socially and environmentally responsible investing.

Activities

Network building, Advocacy, Research, Technical assistance, Policy reform, Activist briefing, and communications

Programs/
Projects

IRN works to change global policies while campaigning on specific key projects around the world. The organization engages in campaigns to shift policy-makers from the view that rivers are a resource that need to be "developed" to one that recognizes the intrinsic value of healthy rivers and watersheds. IRN increases the capacity of local river groups to fight destructive river projects and to build coalitions among dam-affected people. They provide project critiques, analysis of alternatives and activist briefings. They seek to ensure transparency in decision-making and increase the influence of affected communities. They monitor and critique the policies of companies, governments and financial institutions, and provide substantial analysis and recommendations for reforming their practices. They mobilize international support from their network of activists, assist in fundraising for campaigns at the local level, and generate publicity through industry, alternative and mainstream media.

Constitutency

Local communities working to protect rivers, Dam-affected people

Geographical Focus

International

Staff

20

Volunteers

3 volunteers, 1-5 interns per year

Membership Base

Regular membership is $35; around 600 members

Publications

"World Rivers Review," bi-monthly; "River Revival Bulletin," monthly; "IRN News-Stream," monthly; "Water and Power Pipeline," monthly; "Inside IRN," quarterly; List of books, videos, listservs and other resources available at www.irn.org

Annuual Budget

$1,000,000 - $5,000,000

Year Founded

1985