Environmental & Social Impact Assessment

CONCEPT NOTE

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS ASSESSMENTS
Background

The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment training course provides the necessary concepts, knowledge, and good practices for managing environmental and social impacts resulting from development projects. This is a process of evaluating the likely environmental and social impacts of a proposed project or development, considering inter-related socio-economic, cultural, and human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse.

This training course by ECAS Institute aims to help those who engage in development projects understand how their projects could affect the environment and how the environment could affect their projects. Then by using a formal methodology, it will maximize the positive impacts, and negative ones will be reduced or minimized to acceptable levels. Moreover, it will provide the delegates with a holistic picture of the main trends of interaction between environment, society, and business through discussing how and when business interacts with the surrounding environment and society how the environment reacts to such interaction and how society could affect and be affected by business and what is the expected role of business in improving both environment and society, not just through remediation for the negative impacts, but through value creation and better maximized positive impacts. 

Objective of the Training

By the end of this training course, the participants will be able to:

• Understand the main components of the environment and current environmental issues like climate change and sustainable development
• Learn the main environmental and social impact that could result from the development project.
• Use a variety of management techniques, and analytical tools to assess the environmental and social impact.
• Perform plans and other controlling techniques for the impact result from the projects.
• Involve the affected and interested public in all aspects of the project.

What you will Learn

Upon completing this intensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Training, Course, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of:

• Environmental Safeguards’ Role: The significance of ESIA in enhancing investment performance and gender mainstreaming in development.
• Assessment Requirements: Procedures and requirements for environmental and social assessments from major international organizations and donors for development projects.
• Stakeholder Roles: The roles of different stakeholders in implementing environmental and social mitigation measures.
• Best Practices and Monitoring: Safeguards best practices, effectiveness monitoring, and reporting procedures to ensure sustainable development and compliance with international standards.

Duration & Program

The workshop will be held in 20 days inclusive of field work. The training will be held in Nairobi Kenya from (TBC) The venue will be (TBC)

Target Participants

This course is designed for Engineers, Project Managers, Environmental and Social Safeguard Specialists, Government Officials, NGO Representatives, and other professionals involved in planning, designing and managing infrastructure, environment, gender and development-related projects.

Training Modules

No	Module	Details
	Introduction and Overview of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)	Introduction about the concept of ESIA, placing it within the framework of sustainable development The history of EIA: Why it was introduced and how it has evolved? The purpose, principles, and process of ESIA Some contemporary issues of ESIA practice An overview of the different types of ESIA systems: Which are in place? The legal, institutional and policy framework of ESIA Factors should be considered when changing the ESIA system
	Public Involvement, Screening and Scoping	The role, scope, and contribution of public involvement in the ESIA and decision-making processes Different stages of the ESIA process: An option of the public involvement Principles and requirements for use for this purpose Concept of screening and scoping Various procedures and methods for conducting screening and scoping and comparing their strengths and weaknesses Significance in screening and scoping
	Impact Analysis	Methods used in the identification, prediction, and evaluation for different types of environmental and social impacts How can we use these methods in ESIA practices? The Impact of Solid Wastes: Whether hazardous or non-hazardous solid wastes Different methods and techniques for waste treatment Establishment of the integrated solid waste management plan
	Mitigation and Impact Management	The role of mitigation in the ESIA process and its importance for impact management The principles, elements of the approach, and measures that are used for mitigation Social Impact Assessment Strategic Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Future Environmental & Social Directions and Trends
	Understanding Environmental Safeguards	What are Environmental Safeguards Importance of Environmental Safeguards Understanding Environmental Risks and Impacts Steps to apply the Environmental Safeguards
	Understanding Social Safeguards	Iintroduction to Social Safeguards Importance of Social Safeguards Understanding Social Risks and Impacts Understand how the Social Safeguards are applied
	Overview of Major International Frameworks	The World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) World Bank’s Vision for Sustainable Development The World Bank Environmental and Social Policy for Investment Project Financing International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Equator Principles The Paris Agreement and Climate Change Frameworks International Labour Organization (ILO) Standards Regional Environmental and Social Frameworks
	Environmental Safeguards	Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Environmental Management Plans (EMP) Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Climate Change and Resource Management
	Social Safeguards	Social Impact Assessment (SIA) Resettlement and Rehabilitation Cultural Heritage and Indigenous Peoples Gender and Vulnerable Groups
	GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion)	This course focuses on gender equity and social inclusion of women, children, elderly persons, and persons with disabilities. The most pressing issues to be dealt with are: addressing gender inequality and the social exclusion of women, children, elderly persons, and persons with disabilities. The major reason for dealing with these issues is to explore how the urban infrastructure and policies exclude people with disabilities, elderly persons, children, and women.
	Gender-Based Violence	Introduction to Gender-Based Violence Preventing Gender-Based Violence Responding to Gender-Based Violence The Core Principles for a Code of Conduct  GBV and Law Action Against Gender-Based Violence Developing a Programmatic Response for GBV GBV Reporting Mechanisms M&E in GBV Response Interventions
	Monitoring, Evaluation, and Compliance	Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Frameworks Compliance and Reporting Conflict Resolution and Grievance Mechanisms
	ESIA Report Preparation	Structure and content of an ESIA report, data presentation and analysis, Reporting on mitigation measures and monitoring plans, and addressing potential impacts on vulnerable groups.
	Case Studies and Practical Applications	Analysis of real-world ESIA case studies (e.g., infrastructure projects, mining operations, industrial development) Discussion of challenges and best practices in conducting ESIA Ethical considerations in ESIA practice
	Closure and Issue of Certificates

Training style

The modules will be taught through PowerPoint presentations, and lectures and will include a case study/field visit, breakout sessions, and other interactive discussion components.

The course will also include a few guest speakers, both in person and via Zoom and other online learning platforms for overseas speakers. This provides useful real-world insights alongside the more theoretical aspects of the course.

The teaching faculty shall consist of experienced decision makers, as well as practitioners and representatives from established educational and research institutions active around climate change, engineering and international development. Throughout the course, theoretical presentation of concepts will be moderated and more group discussions and plenary engagements will be optimized. Powerpoint presentations will be made by facilitators and resource persons, to highlight key concepts before embarking on group work.

9. General Notes

• Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.
• Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.
• We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs. Contact us to find out more: info@ecasiafrica.org.
• Payment should be sent to our bank account before the start of training and proof of payment sent to: info@ecasiafrica.org.