Social Research

Through study, research, and training, we empower communities to prepare baseline studies & community / cultural profiles and help communities participate effectively in impact assessment processes.

Community-led baseline studies are key to understanding the current state of a community by using a historic lens to understand changes over time, into the present. Baseline studies can help establish a starting point to measure future change, allowing for better project design, realistic goal setting, and improved accountability. Baseline studies can also help offer insights for consultation and decision-making for proposed projects.

Understand the past and present through baseline studies 

Which type of study is right for your community? 

Different research initiatives support different goals. Different social and community research projects should match your community’s needs:

  • Indigenous knowledge and land use studies

  • Socio-economic and health baseline studies

  • Community needs and priorities assessments

  • Stakeholder and rights-holder mapping

  • Food resilience planning

Need capacity support to complete your study? 

Our approach to social and community research:

  • We help communities build capacity through training and awareness programs.

  • We document traditional land use patterns and knowledge to proactively support project consultations in impact assessment, regional land and marine planning and climate change action.

  • We help communities participate in impact assessment processes using community knowledge, gathered by and for the community.

  • We facilitate appropriate sharing of important information with project proponents and governments for joint decision-making.