FPIC & Social Safeguard Services
Nature For Justice offers tailored social safeguarding support to mitigate your project’s reputational, financial, and social risks from the start.
Robust social safeguards are the foundation of sustainable and impactful nature and climate projects.
Social safeguarding, including obtaining robust Free Prior and Informed Consent, is essential for projects impacting Indigenous Peoples or local communities, including projects that aim to benefit these groups. N4J helps ensure that projects are fair and just, including projects involving carbon and biodiversity crediting, payment for ecosystem services, agriculture and forestry developments, and biodiversity conservation initiatives.
Our Social Safeguards Services
Social Safeguard Policies and Plans
We prevent and mitigate project-related harm to people by assessing social risks and impacts, defining measures to manage these risks, and enhancing positive outcomes. Applying robust social safeguarding policies and plans engages stakeholders, improves project quality, and increases ownership, regardless of financing sources.
Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC)
FPIC is a key social safeguarding mechanism and cornerstone human rights principle, especially when a project may impact Indigenous communities. FPIC empowers communities to make informed decisions about matters affecting them, ensuring consent is freely given, obtained before project commencement, and based on comprehensive understanding of potential implications.
The Benefits of FPIC and Social Safeguards
Social safeguards are crucial for complying with international human rights laws. Grant-makers and lenders require these as part of Environmental and Social Management Systems, while carbon and biodiversity standards demand engagement and FPIC to protect local communities.
Companies that demonstrate a commitment to social safeguarding can unlock new markets and opportunities by aligning with global trade and investment values, leading to new partnerships and funding sources.
Companies that prioritize and implement social safeguarding practices not only comply with certification requirements but also enhance their corporate image. By meeting the ethical expectations of consumers and investors, these companies demonstrate a strong commitment to social responsibility and ethical business practices.
Social safeguards can promote sustainable development by respecting local communities’ rights to decide on resource use and development that affect them. This inclusivity enhances community investment, supports fair benefit-sharing, and strengthens commitment and ownership in Nature-based Solutions projects.
Companies that prioritize social safeguarding from project ideation and design stages can avoid costly mistakes and social resistance later on. Strong relationships and communication with local communities enable smooth project implementation, maximize social benefits, and reduce the risk of unexpected social costs and barriers.
Why Choose Our Services?
Nature For Justice offers a global team with extensive experience helping local peoples and project developers to co-design and deliver socially just, context-relevant projects that protect nature and improve local communities’ livelihoods and well-being. Our regionally-based team leaders in Africa, Canada, the US, and Central America, combined with strong regional partner networks, allow us to deliver bespoke support packages for projects worldwide.
