COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

We seek to engage openly and honestly

Community engagement is a key part of our approach to sustainability and through community engagement we seek to develop an understanding of community needs, address concerns, manage expectations and perspectives and involve community members in developing sustainable solutions.

We adopt open and respectful dialogue with community leaders before starting any activity in an area, and to support the identification of opportunities to build capacity within the local community. Social investment undertaken by Sarama is prioritised in consultation with the community and undertaken in a collaborative way to garner ownership and responsibility for management of social projects back with the local village leadership.

We endeavour to define and quantify both the socio-economic and business benefits of our investments, seek to form partnerships with progressive, value add non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and relevant international organisations that have the potential to leverage our investment and create sustainable and self-sufficient social programs.

Consultation

Sarama aspires to develop and maintain relationships within all areas of its operations and regularly consults with stakeholders on progress and future activities. In consultation activities we endeavour to use open and transparent communication and be sensitive to culturally appropriate behaviours.

Project Qualification and Prioritisation

Sarama’s investment in community projects is founded on the principle that initiatives must be sustainable and self-empowering, enabling the benefits of the investment to continue beyond the life of operations in a region. Local participation in our social investment decisions is vital, such that where possible, projects are prioritised by the communities themselves.

Our community focus prioritises those local initiatives most closely associated with our operations and activities. In Burkina Faso, Liberia and Mali we seek to invest primarily in education, health and infrastructure, or initiatives that assist in the development of women and children – areas where we believe there is the greatest need.