During consultations associated with IFC’s $132.5 million financing package to support CIPREL’s expansion, company officials realized that they faced some relationship challenges with one of their host communities, Vida village.

Community members had expressed dissatisfaction on several fronts, including apparent inaction on environmental protections, lack of access to the power CIPREL was producing, and limited job opportunities.

With IFC’s assistance, company representatives decided to implement a CSC. In the process, it became clear that lack of awareness was at the root of the issues. Community members didn’t know the extent of the company’s environmental activities because they had not been informed. They didn’t know that the company could not perform the electricity distribution function. And they didn’t realize that with highly automated operations, CIPREL didn’t need a large workforce. The process concluded with a mutually agreed action plan designed to ensure better communication.

Results

• Significantly increased public disclosure about company operations, CSR standards, and performance
• Improved company/community communications
• On-going platform for dialogue • Stronger stakeholder engagement