1. Planning Consultation
Liz Smith, 10 February 2016

2. International Financial Institution Requirements
Identify stakeholders, including those who may be more vulnerable
Clarify how the client will communicate with stakeholders 
Disclose environmental and social information
Provide a grievance process for both workers and the public

3. Principle
Consultation plans should meet the needs of the stakeholders they describe.

4. Design of consultation programmes
Appropriate language(s)
Technical literacy of stakeholders
Methods of information disclosure and consultation should meet the needs of the stakeholders
Vulnerable stakeholders need to be identified and able to provide comments

5. Problems that IFIs see…
Consultation plans that are pages long
Too much general information on public participation, and not specific to the project
No information on location of information, deadlines for comments, how grievances will be handled

6. No one has consulted the people affected to find out…
Biggest Problem
No one has consulted the people affected to find out…
…How they want to be involved
…How they routinely get information
…How complaints should be handled

7. How do people get information?
If people are in lower economic sectors, may not afford national newspapers
Posters in communities? Village bulletin board? Radio? Regional newsletter?
Use existing, established media for notification

8. All Project Proponents Should Know
Who their project may affect at each different stage of the project
What language(s) they speak
Age ranges of stakeholders
Whether any separate consultation needs to be organised for women or other groups
Who is considered vulnerable and may need additional support to engage in the process
Any cultural issues to take into account

9. Meeting Formats
Large public meetings or hearings
Only a few people go to the microphone
Summary of meeting—distorts community opinion, often negatively
Few people who benefit from a project will speak up
People who are not affected by a project do not attend
Quieter people do not have a voice
Some stakeholders need help to participate

10. Finding vulnerable stakeholders
Just because something is in the public domain or accessible to CSOs--does not mean it is accessible or meaningful to people living near a project
Aarhus Centres are well placed to advise
Schoolteachers are a good source of information
Medical professionals know who is vulnerable, as they have to reach them with health messages

11. EBRD Classification: INTERNAL
Recommendations
Develop stakeholder engagement plans in consultation with different stakeholder groups on the way people should be consulted that will make it meaningful
Publicise the engagement process; refine and adapt as necessary—new groups are often identified during consultation
Groups that normally do not access the consultation process should be actively consulted—Allow more resources for consultation with groups that might not have a voice
27 September, 2019
EBRD Classification:  INTERNAL

12. Equivalent consultation in affected country Language and culture
Transboundary Issues
Equivalent consultation in affected country
Language and culture
Methods of notification
Timing of comments
Cooperation of authorities in affected country
May wish to pre-agree principles of cross- border communication to make it easier when needed

13. Refugees (1/2)
Large numbers of people relocating—temporarily or permanently—with no legal rights to land or assets and/or access to social services
Often different languages to host population
Cultural differences regarding communication
They may not have access to the usual channels of information
They may be uncomfortable voicing their views

14. Refugees (2/2)
There may be hostility from host communities due to unexpected increase of the population caused by refugee influx
There may be active pressure not to consult with refugee groups
At the project level, IFI requirements are to identify all stakeholder groups, particularly those who are vulnerable and ensure they have the information they need and the opportunity to comment.

15. Special Topic: Managing Grievances
Projects cause change, and this can be disruptive to people’s lives
Communication about how grievances will be handled during project construction and implementation is critical
The grievance process must be communicated, and must be transparent and timely
27 September, 2019
EBRD Classification:  INTERNAL

16. Project Level Concerns
Most common concerns raised are:
Failure to inform workers or community of grievance procedure
Lack of mechanism for contractors and sub- contractors
Accepting complaints, but failing to follow up on them
Failing to communicate with complainants, even if action is taken
Length of time to deal with complaints

17. Recommendations
Develop a simple grievance process for workers and one for the public
Communicate grievance processes to the relevant stakeholders
Ensure all workers have access, including contractors
Follow up on all complaints
Communicate with complainants throughout the process—let them know what action has been taken
Ensure process is efficient, timely

18. Contact
Liz Smith Senior Stakeholder Engagement Advisor Environment & Sustainability Dept. Tel:
EBRD, One Exchange Square London, EC2A 2JN United Kingdom