Social Impact Assessment (SIA)
Technical Explanation
A Social Impact Assessment evaluates how a project will affect the social fabric of communities – including aspects like population dynamics, health, education, cultural heritage, community networks, and people’s well-being. It systematically looks at intended and unintended social consequences and develops management plans to enhance positive impacts and mitigate negatives. SIAs involve considerable stakeholder engagement to understand community perspectives.
Main requirements
Required for projects with significant community interaction or potential disruption (e.g. infrastructure cutting through towns, large relocations, or projects affecting indigenous communities). Needs fieldwork (household surveys, focus groups, interviews with vulnerable groups) and is often done in tandem with EIA. A key requirement is cultural sensitivity and inclusive participation – ensuring voices of all segments (women, elderly, minorities) are heard and their concerns addressed in project plans.