Community Relations is perhaps the most important element of Project development and management. It involves the engagement and management of relationships with Community stakeholder groups, to manage impacts and changes, agree and share development benefits, to progress Project development in an inclusive manner, protecting both Community and business interests.
Today people’s – communities’ – opinions shape the future of projects, particularly large-scale infrastructure ones. Understanding who your community is, how many exist in what may otherwise appear as a homogenous one, the various strata within a community from elites to vulnerable and marginalised, how to reach out to them and demonstrate how they are involved in your project, agreeing benefits, and what is the process to address disagreements and potential conflicts are critical to avoid protracted community mistrust or even outright resistance. As Free Prior Informed Consent gains traction and community empowerment increases, companies are no longer mere providers of economic benefits, they are an integral part of a Community. Your SIA logically leads to your Community Relations program.