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Cultiver Group, a Cape Town-based sustainability consultancy, has launched a platform that helps local communities to more meaningfully engage with clean energy project developers, with the aim of ensuring a “just” transition.
The ENGAGE! platform promotes inclusivity and minimises social risks for large-scale renewable energy, mining, and other infrastructure projects, according to Cultiver Group. It has been piloted for a year by two wind farms operated by Enel Green Power, and is now being rolled out through southern Africa.
“While mining, renewable energy, and infrastructure projects are vital for economic development and community upliftment, marginalised communities often remain excluded from the benefits of these projects and are vulnerable to potential negative impacts,” says Fezeka Stuurman, CEO of Cultiver Group.
“In turn, mismanaged or insufficient community engagement is a leading cause of project-related social unrest, project delays, development and construction delays and profit losses for project owners… ENGAGE! bridges the gap between large public and private projects and local communities, ensuring that projects advance in a manner that is truly inclusive, just, and socially responsible.”
Under the initiative, community members can phone a toll-free number, which connects them with trained community ambassadors, allowing them to voice project-related concerns and make other enquiries. The service is available in all of South Africa’s 11 official languages.
The pilots with Enel Green Power “show that the platform enhances project and community interactions significantly,” Cultiver Group said.
The service raises community awareness of project benefits, such as job creation opportunities, while also improving relationships between all project stakeholders, the company added. This can improve project execution and “community satisfaction”, while providing developers with insights on how they can deliver benefits for local residents.
“By enabling the real-time lodging of information and grievances, ENGAGE! can strengthen project owners’ relationships with communities and complement engagement strategies in natural resource-based businesses for better social performance,” said Holle Wlokas, co-founder and managing director of the non-profit Initiative for Social Performance in Renewable Energy (INSPIRE).
