All Articles About Community Engagement & Development

BSR Insight Article: Closer Look: Understanding Land Deals in Africa

The International Institute for Environment and Development's new guide to understanding land deals in Africa explores the significant impacts land contracts have on agriculture and food security in recipient countries. Land contracts define the terms of an investment project, and particularly how risks, costs, and benefits are distributed and who has the authority to sign the contract and through what process. Read more →

Posted: March 15, 2011 | Topics: Civil & Political Rights, Community Engagement & Development, Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, Energy, Governance & Accountability, Mining, Stakeholder Relations, Strategy & Integration, Supply Chain

Blog: Debating the Future of Sustainability at the IFC

Julia Nelson, Former Manager, Advisory Services

This week marks the close of the third and final public consultation period for the review of the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Sustainability Framework. The policies, standards, and guidance notes in the Framework set expectations on social and environmental performance for the financial institutions and companies who receive funds from the IFC (the private sector investment arm of the World Bank Group). Read more →

Posted: March 3, 2011 | Topics: Community Engagement & Development, Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, Human Rights, Investor Perspective, Water

BSR Insight Article: Biodiversity Conservation and Human Development

Linda Hwang, Former Manager, Research

The private sector is recognized as an essential actor in supporting development and poverty reduction, and companies themselves are increasingly recognizing the business opportunities associated with engaging in development challenges. However, the complex interrelationship between poverty and biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES) requires that companies take an integrated perspective to these issues in order to make a positive contribution to the sustainable development of host communities. Yet, today many companies have programs that support biodiversity conservation and separate programs that support local economic development, and in some cases these programs are in conflict. To make positive contributions to sustainable development, companies need to integrate the objectives of these programs and unlock the synergies among business, conservation, and poverty reduction. Read more →

Posted: December 14, 2010 | Topics: Community Engagement & Development, Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, Energy, Environment, Food, Beverage & Agriculture, Mining, Travel & Tourism

BSR Insight Article: IFC Delivers Best Practice Guide to Strategic Community Investment

Alison Colwell, Associate Director, Advisory Services

The International Finance Corporation's Strategic Community Investment Handbook (also available in Spanish) helps companies operating in emerging markets to think strategically about community investment programs. Read more →

Posted: December 7, 2010 | Topics: Community Engagement & Development

Report: Going Local: Increasing the Value of Local Sustainability Reporting

This report provides an overview of trends in local reporting and offers a framework by which sustainability practitioners may approach local reporting in a manner that generates value for the company and its stakeholders. Read more →

Posted: October 28, 2010 | Topics: Community Engagement & Development, Reporting & Communications | Download (PDF)