During February, our columns focused on various aspects of public participation in environmental matters. Our column this week, takes a closer look at a manual created for developers, which serves as a guide for ensuring meaningful stakeholder engagement in development projects.

This Stakeholder Engagement Manual was developed for projects requiring Environmental Authorisation in Guyana. This document complements the Environmental Protection Act, Cap. 20:05; Environmental Protection (Authorisations) Regulations, 2000; and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Guidelines 2020. Its purpose is to outline the procedure to be followed in the stakeholder consultation process for projects which requiring Environmental Authorisation from the Environmental Protection Agency, Guyana.  This document also aims to ensure that the public is made aware, consulted and engaged where necessary is provided with the opportunity to participate in the developmental process on a sustainable basis.

The manual guides both categories of projects authorised by the EPA: EIA required and EIA not required projects. Moreover, the goal of the manual is:
* To stimulate developers to work in tandem with the EPA;
* To create a landscape that fosters effective participation, access to information, and inclusivity, one which would engender more equitable and transparent decision-making for sustainable development and evaluation of development projects.
What is meaningful stakeholder engagement?
SME can be defined as a process that captures the views, thoughts, and perceptions of people who may be affected by a development project or may have an interest. It is an ongoing process with a series of events tailored to stakeholder groups and is an upfront investment that adds value to project planning and overall outcomes.
Core values of quality stakeholder engagement

1. Public participation is based on the belief that those who are affected by a decision have a right to be involved in the decision-making process.
2. Public participation includes the promise that the public’s contribution will influence the decision.
3. Public participation promotes sustainable decisions by recognising and communicating the needs and interests of all participants, including decision makers.
4. Public participation seeks out and facilitates the involvement of those potentially affected by or interested in a decision.
5. Public participation seeks input from participants in designing how they participate.
6. Public participation provides participants with the information they need to participate in a meaningful way.
7. Public participation communicates to participants how their input affected the decision.

Best practices for meaningful stakeholder engagement
Developers are encouraged to ensure that these actions are part of their stakeholder engagement activities
1. Early and continual involvement of stakeholders including identification of priority issues and providing prior information
2. Personalised approach to engagement – choosing appropriate methods, arrange meetings in advance according to stakeholder availability
3. Transparency in decision making
4. Open and honest communication – encourage sharing of ideas and open dialogue during meetings
5. Development of a Grievance Redress Mechanism and a Stakeholder Analysis and Consultation Plan

The Draft Stakeholder Engagement Manual will soon be available for public consultation and we at the EPA encourage all stakeholders to be involved in the process.

You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O ECEA Programme, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.