Socially Responsible Renewable Energy Development Short Course

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT SHORT COURSE
COURSE BACKGROUND

The rapid acceleration of renewable energy development to meet climate targets and replace conventional power sources presents a crucial challenge: securing and maintaining genuine community support. Without strong social license, even technically viable projects can face significant hurdles, impacting the industry’s long-term growth and its ability to deliver benefits to regional communities. Effective community engagement and equitable benefit-sharing are no longer optional but essential for successful and sustainable project delivery.

ECAS Institute offers this short course to address the urgent need for renewable energy practitioners to master the social aspects of project development. We understand that getting the social aspects right is vital for the industry’s future, for empowering regional communities, and for governments to achieve their ambitious renewable energy targets.

This two-week online course will equip participants with best-practice training in community engagement and benefit-sharing concepts and methods. Through a comprehensive curriculum featuring guest presenters from the industry, participants will learn how to build social license, navigate complex social contexts, and implement strategies that foster positive relationships and deliver tangible local benefits.

COURSE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING

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

  1. Recognize and integrate key social considerations into all stages of renewable energy project development.
  2. Identify the characteristics of effective community engagement and benefit-sharing strategies that lead to best-practice outcomes for mid and large-scale projects.
  3. Apply core community engagement and benefit-sharing strategies to address the needs of unique social contexts.
  4. Analyze how different developer approaches can impact social license to operate for renewable energy projects.
  5. Reflect on how the introduced strategies and skills can influence their future personal and/or professional initiatives in renewable energy development.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

This short course will equip renewable energy practitioners with best-practice training in community engagement and benefit-sharing concepts and methods. Through this program, you will learn to:

  • Grasp the concept of social license and the fundamental engagement principles vital for successful renewable energy projects.
  • Develop a strategic understanding of diverse social contexts, including the methods for effective stakeholder mapping and analysis.
  • Design, implement, and evaluate effective community engagement plans, utilizing various communication and consultation techniques.
  • Apply best practices for respectful and impactful engagement with Indigenous communities, understanding the importance of cultural protocols and consent.
  • Explore a comprehensive range of benefit-sharing concepts and practical options, ensuring projects deliver tangible advantages to host communities.
  • Analyze legal and financial models for co-investment and co-ownership, empowering greater community participation in renewable energy ventures.
  • Formulate partnerships for local economic development, focusing on local procurement, employment, and lasting legacy initiatives.
  • Acquire skills for effective complaint management and navigating complex or challenging situations in community relations with transparency and strategic communication.
DURATION AND PROGRAM

This is a structured training course designed to equip renewable energy practitioners with training in best-practice community engagement and benefit sharing concepts and methods. The program will combine theoretical insights with practical application, featuring guest presenters from the industry and wider sector. The detailed program schedule, including specific session timings and learning activities, will be communicated upon registration.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

This course is designed for renewable energy practitioners, advocates, and policymakers, especially those in:

  • Project Development roles
  • Project Management roles
  • Community Engagement roles
  • Individuals seeking to enhance their understanding of socially responsible renewable energy development.
TRAINING MODULES

The course is structured into eight comprehensive modules, covering key aspects of socially responsible renewable energy development;

No Module Details
1. Understanding Social License + Engagement Principles This module introduces the crucial concept of social license to operate in renewable energy development and outlines foundational engagement principles.

Key Topics:

  • Defining social license and its importance for project success
  • Factors influencing social acceptance
  • Ethical considerations in engagement
  • Early and continuous engagement principles
2. Gaining Strategic Knowledge of the Social Context This module focuses on developing an understanding of the unique social, cultural, and economic contexts of communities where renewable energy projects are developed.

Key Topics:

  • Social impact assessment basics
  • Stakeholder mapping and analysis
  • Understanding community values and concerns
  • Demographic considerations
  • Local governance structures
3. Developing Effective Community Engagement Plans + Evaluation Methods This module provides practical guidance on designing, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive community engagement plans for renewable energy projects.

Key Topics:

  • Elements of an engagement plan
  • Communication strategies
  • Consultation techniques
  • Feedback mechanisms
  • Monitoring and evaluation of engagement outcomes
  • Adaptive management
4. Engaging with Indigenous Communities This module addresses the specific considerations and best practices for respectful and effective engagement with Indigenous communities in renewable energy development.

Key Topics:

  • Importance of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC)
  • Cultural protocols
  • Recognizing traditional land rights
  • Partnership models
  • Case studies of successful Indigenous engagement
5.
Benefit Sharing Concepts + Options This module explores various concepts and practical options for sharing the benefits of renewable energy projects with host communities.

Key Topics:

  • Defining benefit sharing
  • Direct vs. indirect benefits
  • Financial benefit sharing models (e.g., revenue sharing, community funds, equity participation)
  • Non-financial benefits (e.g., infrastructure, training)
6. Legal + Financial Models of Co-investment + Co-ownership This module delves into the legal and financial structures that enable co-investment and co-ownership opportunities for communities in renewable energy projects.

Key Topics:

  • Legal frameworks for community energy ownership
  • Joint venture models
  • Community energy cooperatives
  • Financial structuring for co-investment
  • Risk and reward sharing
7. Forming Partnerships for Local Economic Development (Procurement, Employment & Legacy Initiatives) This module focuses on strategies for leveraging renewable energy projects to foster broader local economic development through various partnership initiatives.

Key Topics:

  • Local content policies
  • Local procurement strategies
  • Maximizing local employment opportunities
  • Skills development programs
  • Creating long-term legacy initiatives (e.g., community trusts, sustainable infrastructure)
8. Effective Complaint Management + Handling Tricky Situations This module equips participants with skills to manage complaints effectively and navigate challenging or contentious situations in community relations.

The key topics include:

  • Establishing robust grievance mechanisms
  • Conflict resolution strategies
  • De-escalation techniques
  • Managing expectations
  • Transparency in communication
  • Learning from challenging case studies
TRAINING STYLE

The modules will be taught through PowerPoint presentations, and lectures and will include a case study/field visit, breakout sessions, case studies 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 conference 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.

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.
ABOUT ECAS INSTITUTE

The ECAS Institute designs and delivers independent and targeted training, research, and consulting services. Our work focusses on climate change and resilience building, carbon markets, renewable energy, nature-based solution, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and food systems, We are located in Nairobi Kenya and work across the African region. We have implemented training and research assignments in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Rwanda, Congo, and South Africa. Globally, we have supported our partners from the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and USA.

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