Week 6 - People

Preparing for SIA

During the SIA process, usually, there will be requirements for specific reports and plans at different times, particularly as inputs to project approval.

It is important to understand that the SIA is a process rather than a product or document. However, there are guiding documents and reports that will provide direction throughout the process. These documents include:

1)      A Social Impact Management Plan

A Social Impact Management Plan includes details of:

(a)    the measures to be taken during the implementation and operation of project activities to eliminate adverse social impacts, or to reduce them to acceptable levels, and

 (b) the actions needed to implement these measures.

 In summary, in case of a social impact, what will you do? How will you do it? Who will do it?

 2)      Community Health & Safety Plan

The Community Health and Safety Standard recognizes that project activities, equipment, and infrastructure can increase community exposure to risks and impacts. Potential negative impacts affecting health and safety may arise from a broad range of supported activities, including from infrastructure development and construction activities, changes in the nature and volume of traffic and transportation, water and sanitation issues, use and management of hazardous materials and chemicals, impacts on natural resources and ecosystems, the influx of project labour, and potential abuses by security personnel.

The Community & Health Safety Plan addresses the need and how to avoid or minimize the risks and impacts to community health, safety and security that may arise from project-related activities, with particular attention given to disadvantaged and marginalized groups.

3)      Resettlement Action Plan

Resettlement Action Plan includes the need to provide resettlement, compensation, and / or livelihood restoration assistance to persons that are currently utilising project affected land.

• Survey administration, initial scoping and early resettlement planning
• Formulation of compensation
• Development of a framework for benefits and asset valuation
• Community consultation
• Identification of resettlement and livelihood restoration measures
• Preparation of resettlement database
• Development of grievance redress mechanisms
• Development of a monitoring and evaluation framework
• Preparation of an implementation plan

 4)      Stakeholder Engagement Plan

The stakeholder engagement plan allows the project manager to devise a systematic approach to ensure expectations, decisions, risk/issues and project progress information is delivered to the right person at the right time with the most efficient level of information. The engagement of stakeholders is not something that happens towards the end of the SIA procedure; it needs to be part of the whole process from onset to conclusion.

Your plan should include, but is not limited to:

• Defining target groups
• Specifying objectives
• Determining your main messages
• Selecting appropriate tools for communication
• Identifying spokespersons
• Monitoring and reviewing action steps.

These documents collectively provide an integrated set of actions and procedures to manage the social issues created by the project.