Providing Direction for Community Engagement

The social impact assessment is an essential stage during the preparation and execution of investment projects. It provides the necessary information to evaluate and manage potential impacts and risks, fortify social acceptance and project support within involved communities. V&A has incorporated this assessment alongside its project management processes with the objective of risk prevention, better decision-making and permanent benefits.
As well as national norms, international legal instruments and best practices are also considered. Even before the Energy Reform, V&A has drafted a myriad of social studies, due diligence assessments, environmental and social feasibility studies and socioeconomic, indigenous and social impact studies. The company has also participated in verifying execution plans for specific programs in ports, tourism, transport, communications, mining, electricity and hydrocarbons. This has resulted in a valuable experience that position V&A as the leading firm in the application of best practices within all kinds of social impact assessments.
The aforementioned experience spans different regions of the country. This has led to an integral vision about the most pressing social issues at each site, in-depth insights into each kind of project and the most convenient strategies to achieve common agreements with communities. This reduces considerably the probability of delays in approvals, unexpected expenses related to claims and legal matters as well as losses for reputation detriments for participating companies.
A very good example that showcases the acquired experience by V&A during the execution of environmental impact studies is this detailed knowledge of communities in each region. In this sense, the most complex projects from a social standpoint take place in the south of Mexico. With a strong vision of nature and its relationship to the human being, communities are more protective of their natural resources. On the contrary, the north and central regions of the country hold a much more instrumental vision, where nature is a resource provider.
In the southern region, V&A has concentrated its efforts in the design of measures that avoid adverse impacts to the resources that communities consider important. In the northern region, similar measures have been taken into consideration but with a major focus on economic revenue. In every case, success has been achieved with a vision of respect for human rights and participation of the involved communities.