Fragility & Social Cohesion
Photo by Stephanie Sines, IFC
Experts predict that by the year 2030, 50 percent of the extremely poor will be resident in fragile and conflict-affected states. The private sector plays a pivotal role in unlocking the myriad of investment opportunities present in these fragile economies. It does this by first addressing the drivers of fragility and conflict as part of a series of steps for the recovery and transition of countries emerging from a state of fragility. IFC is working to improve conditions for private enterprises to operate and thrive in these complex settings by contributing expertise in job creation, improvement in service delivery and bringing efficient solutions using technologies to a complex environment.
Our advisory tools and frameworks help to facilitate social cohesion in complex settings. We are guided by a set of principles that seek to enhance the development impact of investments in FCS. Our Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory team has an extensive track record of working on local stakeholder engagements that focus on improving: awareness and information dissemination, the participation of communities, social accountability, improvement of livelihoods and inclusion of women and youth throughout these processes. Through early engagement and assessments of the situation on the ground and having a conflict-sensitive approach, our teams use different tools to build social cohesion strategies that are incorporated into intervention design and allows us to tailor each activity according to the local dynamic.
40%
IFC’s commitment to increase the share of investments in FCS and IDA by 2030.
In Action
Through early engagement and assessments of the situation on the ground and having a conflict-sensitive approach, our teams use a variety of different tools to build social cohesion strategies that are incorporated into intervention design and allows us to tailor each activity according to the local dynamic. Examples include:
Cote d-Ivoire
Development of Community Scorecards
In Côte d-Ivoire, IFC used community scorecards to conduct an assessment of the views of community members on a project or service delivery. The assessment covered issues such as the performance of a company in delivering a specific community program or service. Results are discussed with company, service providers, and local communities and solutions for improvements are identified and monitored. Using this tool, IFC worked with CIPREL, the largest power producer in the country to assess and improve its corporate social responsibility performance. This improved the company’s understanding of the views and concerns of the community and strengthened its communication and working relationship with community members.
Guinea
Community Microfinance for Livelihoods
In Guinea, IFC developed a microfinance tool in partnership with Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC) and Afriland First Bank. The Community Microfinance for Livelihoods project focused on resettled communities with an emphasis on women and youth. The project is expected lead to more viable livelihood opportunities for 185 households in the Filima community in Western Guinea. It will be replicated in other GAC and CBG communities. The Suppliers and Buyers Marketplace- SPM (Bourse de Sous-Traitance et des Partenariats in French) is a dedicated online platform which IFC developed for mining companies in the country, large sub-contractors and local SMEs in the mining supply chains. It serves as an on-line market place which enables mining companies and their large sub-contractors to advertise tenders for SMEs to access and bid. IFC Advisory Services team also provides technical assistance to SMEs to improve their capacity to meet the requirements of the mining companies and their sub-contractors.
Colombia
Colombian General Royalty System
In Colombia, we adapted the royalty management tools that had been previously implemented in Peru to the Colombian General Royalty System. These capacity-building techniques were useful for both the community for the preparation of public investment projects and the local technical assistance providers who deployed these methodologies for replication.
Peru, Cameroon and Sierra Leone
Gender Based Violence (GBV)
As part of our work in Peru, Cameroon and Sierra Leone, we developed training and guidelines for local leaders to address and prevent gender-based violence in the rural communities. The team implemented community development programs to address gender inequities and gender-based violence while simultaneously supporting economic development. The team also designed communications campaigns, targeting employees and contractors in the mining companies as well as host communities and local governments. The tools also include a youth curriculum to provide guidance to young men and women on life skills, sexual health, gender-based violence and gender equality.
Ghana and Peru
Transparency and Infomediaries
In Ghana and Peru, we worked with local leaders, participatory budget surveillance committees and communities to improve transparency. This involved designing different formats and channels of information dissemination to overcome existing information asymmetry in these complex settings. Using data and technology-driven solutions, we have designed capacity-building and training programs for traditional and alternative infomediaries. This includes training in data visualization and dissemination practices addressing communities’ information demands in complex contexts.
Highlights
40
The number of Public Investment Projects approved benefiting 519,00 people in Colombia
185
Number of Viable livelihood opportunities in Guinea.
500
SMES registered in Suppliers and Buyers marketplace in Guinea.
Development of Community Scorecards – The application of the Community Scorecard served to improve understanding, cohesion and communication among stakeholders. It also provided a platform for youth, women and older community members to voice their expectations, views and recommendations regarding CIPREL’s community involvement.
Suppliers and Buyers Marketplace – SPM (Bourse de Sous-Traitance et des Partenariats in French) – Since its launch in December 2018, up to 500 SMEs have registered on the platform and have been connected to innovative technology and new market opportunities.
Service Delivery through Revenue Management – 40 Public Investment Project preparations (PIPs) were approved by General Royalty System to benefit more than 500,000 people in the community. Six other PIPs corresponding to alternative sources helped 81,000 people. PIPs were in sectors such as infrastructure, productivity, health, housing, and culture, representing a newly revamped pathway to economic growth from years of stagnation. $23 million of development project financing was facilitated through the General Royalty System and $14 million from other revenue sources. Indigenous communities developed knowledge and skills to apply independently for additional funds such as in the Ministry of Culture.
Gender Based Violence (GBV): Peru – The Ayninakuy trained women and men Yachachiqs (local leaders on agriculture matters) on tools for addressing gender-based violence in local communities. We complemented the training with the preparation of guidelines (developed by IFC and the Social Development and Compensation Fund from the Ministry of Social Inclusion) for preventing and addressing gender-based violence for a nation-wide program. This intervention reached more than 750,000 households in rural Peruvian communities.
Gender Based Violence (GBV): Cameroon – In support of IFC’s most significant power investment in Africa, Nachtigal Hydropower Company (NHPC), IFC’s Advisory Services team will be working to improve the project’s impact of women in host communities. The project will address two primary gender gaps: a high risk of gender-based violence on the project site and towards community members with insufficient services to support survivors; and, low skills and few opportunities for women’s employment and integration of women-owned or led businesses into the supply chain.
Gender Based Violence (GBV): Sierra Leone – IFC will be working with Sierra Rutile Limited (SRL) to address gender-based violence and teen pregnancy in the community through the development of SRL gender policies and training for the SRL workforce. Social cohesion-building activities will be used to improve understanding of gender equality, and opportunities for young women in the community, to address some of the root causes that lead to teen pregnancies.
Transparency and Infomediaries: In Peru, IFC successfully implemented Answers from Mayors. Authorities in 27 municipalities responded to more than 12,000 questions from the population. This demonstration of the openness and willingness to reduce information asymmetry will greatly benefit overall efforts at social cohesion. Municipalities increased contact with the local population, improving trust and building relationships among stakeholders with a complex interaction dynamic and power disbalance.
Transparency and Infomediaries: In Ghana and Mongolia, we engaged with youth and digital entrepreneurs through partnerships with local incubators to design data trainings and multi-stakeholder solutions to development challenges using open data and technology.
Photo by CC Chacapampa
- World Bank. Fragility, Conflict, and Violence. Overview. http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/fragilityconflictviolence/overview#1
