Grievance mechanisms exist at the project, company, sector, national, regional and international levels. They may directly address a company’s behaviour and responsibilities, a government’s obligation to protect citizens or an institution’s duty to comply with its policies and procedures. Grievance mechanisms also vary in objective, approach, target groups, composition, government backing, procedure and costs.

This website distinguishes the following types of mechanisms:

• International grievance mechanisms
• Regional mechanisms: multilateral development banks
• Regional human rights commissions

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