A fluid and permanent dialogue with the territory to become involved in its development.

At EHS Techniques we share our clients’ commitment to social impact assessment and socio-economic development in the regions in which they operate.

Identifying and assessing the social impact of projects translates into better risk management, ensuring the viability of the project and the building of bonds of trust in the territories where it is implemented.

We promote shared value and establish a constant dialogue with local communities in order to understand their expectations, interests and needs. This approach allows projects to be implemented with social acceptance, reducing negative impacts and avoiding discordant relationships between the company and stakeholders.

We have extensive experience supporting social relations in energy and renewable gas projects , as well as other sectors, accompanying from the territorial prospection phase to the design and implementation of sustainable strategies.

What is the Social Impact Assessment?

The Social Impact Assessment makes it possible to measure and analyze the consequences that a project may have on a territory, community or social group. Through this assessment, it seeks to identify the positive and negative effects that may arise with the implementation of projects. This knowledge allows promoters and local agents to adjust development strategies, adopting a proactive position in the development of projects, minimizing the negative impacts that the project may generate, and working to maximize the positive impacts.

At EHS Techniques we have developed our own working methodology for the Social Impact Assessment of projects, ensuring that the impact they may generate is managed in a responsible, transparent and effective manner:

1. We analyze to know the territory:
   We analyze the social, cultural, economic, demographic and environmental context of the territorial area in which the project will be developed. We identify possiblestakeholders, local communities, vulnerable groups, economic and cultural dynamics, living conditions, infrastructures, migratory patterns, land use, etc.
2. Dialogue to detect expectations, misgivings and local interests
   We conduct interviews, surveys, participatory workshops, meetings with key agents, dialogue sessions, to directly gather perceptions about the project, expectations about its benefits, possible negative impacts, social concerns, employment expectations, land use, health, resource competition, quality of life…
3. We evaluate the impact:
   We carry out an initial identification of the impacts and risks associated with the project from a socio-economic perspective. Based on internationally recognized methodologies for measuring and evaluating project impacts, we have developed our own methodology for the identification and assessment of social impacts. This tool allows us to identify risks and opportunities, anticipate and prevent conflicts, and contribute to the establishment of solid and productive relationships in the territory.
4. Local action plan:
   Based on the previous analysis, we developed an action strategy that includes community participation mechanisms, information transparency, bidirectional communication channels, social commitments, conflict resolution mechanisms, and a plan of mitigation and local development measures.
5. Implementation and social monitoring:
   We accompany the active phases of the project: implementation of proposed actions, monitoring of defined social indicators, maintenance of dialogue, periodic evaluation, adjustments when required. We ensure that the commitments acquired with the community are effectively fulfilled.

Benefits of working with EHS Techniques in Social Impact Assessment

• Better project design by anticipating local needs and aligning social benefits with local expectations.
• Social risk management, minimizing negative territorial impacts that affect daily activities, quality of life, displacement or cultural affectations.
• Contribution to local sustainable development, as projects can generate employment, training, infrastructure and services for communities.
• It favors social acceptance of the projects, which reduces the risk of opposition and possible administrative delays.
• Compliance with ethical standards, ESG and corporate social responsibility policies, enhancing corporate reputation with investors, authorities and communities.

If your organization wants to ensure that your projects not only respect the social environment, but also generate real benefits for local communities and gain acceptance and legitimacy, contact us. At EHS Techniques we have the technical, human and methodological support to implement rigorous, transparent and effective social impact assessment processes.