SERVICES

Effective management of social issues is founded in an understanding of the situation of the ground and identification of appropriate tools and processes to address the specific circumstances.  On Common Ground provide social assessments and community profiles, including risk and conflict assessments.  We also have experience in human rights, gender and equity assessment.  On Common Ground has also developed diagnostic indicators and a semi-quantitative measurement of the quality of the Social License to Operate.  The understanding gained from these assessments is then applied to the design of strategic and operational plans optimized to the social, cultural, economic and environmental circumstances at hand.

On Common Ground has worked with clients to develop and implement the full range of management systems needed to address the social aspects of resource development.  This includes the formulation of corporate policies, operational procedures, field protocols, monitoring, evaluation and revision of management systems based on lessons learned on the ground. On Common Ground can also

On Common Ground can provide specialized advice and assistance in meeting compliance with the Equator Principles and the Performance Standards on Social and Environmental Sustainability of the IFC, which collectively represent the international base line for good practice for the operational phase of new resource development projects.  On Common Ground can, however, help clients optimize implementation of these norms to the circumstances of an individual project and innovate to achieve best practice levels of social management.  Our experience in working with junior resource companies, and more recently the Prospectors and Developers of Canada to prepare the Principles and Guidance for Responsible Exploration, places us in a unique position to assist exploration teams implement good and best practices from the very earliest stages of a resource project.

Engagement with project and corporate stakeholders is central to the successful management of social issues.  On Common Ground has extensive experience in stakeholder mapping and issues analysis and the design and implementation of engagement, consultation and communications strategies with stakeholders that have included programs optimized to interact with indigenous communities, government agencies, non-governmental organizations and international stakeholders.

Corporate Social Responsibility comprises a spectrum of actions that are embedded in the culture of the company.  On Common Ground can help companies self-identify and articulate their core values and create the organizational and management structures to transfer values into action.  Aspects of corporate social responsibility that are often a challenge for companies are to build stable, positive community relations and make social investments that yield long term benefits.  On Common Ground can provide guidance in the application of the participatory processes that offer the highest probability of success and assistance in the design and implementation of community assistance and development programs.

On Common Ground can provide support to build knowledge and capacity through training and mentoring.  We are able to offer custom workshops on the social aspects of resource development, including the application of international standards such as the Equator Principles, the IFC Performance Standards for Social and Environmental Sustainability and the PDAC Principles and Guidance for Responsible Exploration.  Our principles and associates can also give training in cross-cultural communications and negotiations and facilitation in establishing partnerships and multi-stakeholder processes.