Social performance services

Our Process

Ensuring the empowerment of project-affected communities and workers while upholding their rights is not only a matter of ethical responsibility but also aligns with a compelling business rationale for prioritizing social performance management.

The imperative for effective social impact management extends beyond moral considerations, playing a pivotal role in constructing cost-effective infrastructure and fostering sustainable societies.

International good practice standards in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) are essential benchmarks demanded by project financiers and investors. Modern projects are increasingly held to standards that go beyond mere compliance, urging them to aim for optimal social benefits. Projects that cultivate strong relationships with communities and workers often yield enhanced commercial performance, with motivated and productive workforces. Furthermore, such projects can mitigate potential issues like community unrest, strikes, and costly project delays.

Managing social performance, impacts and outcomes

Through our advisory services in social performance management, we aim to mitigate and navigate project risks, uphold human rights, promote fair distribution of project benefits, and empower impacted communities. The overarching goal is to enhance business performance while fostering economic and social development in the regions involved.

01.

We address a range of challenges, such as the negative impacts experienced by local communities when the social and environmental aspects of a project are inadequately managed. These repercussions include the loss of land and livelihoods, environmental pollution, disruptions from construction activities, compromised health, and heightened safety risks. The cumulative effect is often a decline in income, well-being, and social inclusion for the affected communities.

02.

In the construction sector, where substantial local workforces are employed, issues related to workers' rights become community concerns. In situations involving migrant labour, ensuring safe and comfortable accommodations is essential to avoid negative effects on host communities. These challenges are further amplified in contexts where legal and regulatory frameworks are either absent or ineffective.

03.

Moreover, we recognize that local communities impacted by new infrastructure projects are frequently not the primary beneficiaries, especially in emerging economies. For instance, a power station situated in an impoverished area may not directly benefit the local community, as they may lack the means to afford the electricity or lack the necessary distribution infrastructure. Often, these communities are not adequately consulted or included as beneficiaries in project planning and execution.

Our comprehensive social performance services encompass various specialized areas, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach to address key aspects of project development. We specialize in labour and working conditions, participation and stakeholder engagement, involuntary resettlement, gender equality, and indigenous peoples’ human rights.

Social and Human Rights Impact Assessment and Management

We employ a social lens in impact assessment, risk review, monitoring and evaluation, and social management planning. Our approach prioritizes inclusion, participation, benefit sharing, empowerment opportunities, vulnerability, gender equality, human rights, and access to remedy, helping clients meet social and human rights due diligence requirements.

Labour and Working Conditions

Enhance workforce well-being by developing and implementing effective labour policies, procedures, and management plans. We go beyond minimum compliance requirements, offering services such as grievance redressal advice, accommodation auditing, supply chain analysis, and training to ensure fair treatment, safety, and motivation.

Resettlement and Livelihood Restoration

In cases of unavoidable community displacement, we provide support with fair compensation, resettlement, and livelihood restoration. Our approach integrates household surveys, consultations, and cross-cutting considerations for livelihoods, vulnerability, gender, and community empowerment.

Stakeholder Engagement and Consultation

Establishing trust with local communities is crucial. We assist in mapping stakeholders, understanding their drivers and needs, and developing engagement plans for meaningful consultation and disclosure, ultimately securing a social license to operate.

ender Equality

Our in-house gender equality specialists ensure projects are gender-responsive, promoting inclusivity and empowerment. We offer strategic advice to manage risks related to gender-based violence and harassment, taking an intersectional approach to consider factors like disability, ethnicity, indigeneity, and vulnerability.

Indigenous Peoples

Protect the dignity, aspirations, and culture of indigenous peoples through impact assessment and development planning. We manage grievance mechanisms, support Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes, and empower affected indigenous communities in alignment with national and international legal customary rights.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)

Our ESG services emphasize social performance, embedding good practices throughout projects, corporate operations, and culture. We specialize in areas like human rights, responsible procurement, supply chain risk assessment, and gender equality, offering support through policy development, action plans, capacity building, and continuous improvement advisory.

What you can expect

Comprehensive Global Proficiency

Our proficient social performance teams, dispersed across 20 countries with multilingual capabilities, collaborate with specialists in various fields such as environment, engineering, and project management. This collective expertise allows us to provide an integrated consultancy service, serving as a singular point of contact for diverse client needs.

Cutting-Edge Professionalism

Positioned at the forefront, our practitioners address emerging challenges with innovative solutions in social performance and governance. Backed by academic and industry guidance, active participation in professional networks, and the development of digital tools, we ensure excellence in delivering effective social performance strategies.

Tailored Advisory Services

Our tailored advice is crafted for private sector developers, lenders, investors, and governments, aligning with government and corporate policies, legal requirements, and international standards such as the Equator Principles, UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the UK Modern Slavery Act.

Business Excellence through Social Performance

We offer corporate governance advice to enhance commercial performance by fostering positive community and workforce relations. This contributes to productivity, budget and schedule adherence, staff retention, health and safety improvements, ethical practices, and compliance with legal and lender requirements, minimizing reputational risks.