Stakeholder consultation
The documented process of informing and seeking input from affected communities and other parties during project design.
Stakeholder consultation requires that people affected by a project are told what is proposed and given a genuine opportunity to respond before decisions are locked in. Documentation usually includes notices, meetings, attendance, comments received and how each was addressed.
Substance matters more than format. A consultation held after the design is fixed, in a language participants do not use, or without responding to objections, satisfies a checklist and fails its purpose. Verifiers look for evidence that input changed something.
Consultation is also a risk control. Projects that proceed without local support face operational disruption, reputational damage and, increasingly, reversal of certification.
Frequently asked questions
Who counts as a stakeholder?
Affected communities, Indigenous peoples, local authorities, workers and civil society — anyone with a legitimate interest in the project area.
Must consultation be continuous?
Good practice requires ongoing engagement, not a single event at design stage.