(103-1) We build relationships of trust with our neighbors based on dialogue, ethics and transparency; guaranteeing understanding and respect for their traditions and culture, as well as harmonious coexistence based on considering and including our stakeholders’ expectations and necessities in our actions.
(103-2) We focus on promoting information, participation and respectful dialogue with our neighbors and authorities. We work to be welcomed by the local communities where we operate and to become their best partner based on a relationship of learning, exchange and mutual benefit.
Aware of the socioeconomic contexts of our operations’ locations, we do not focus management only on complying with information disclosure regulations but also on our efforts aimed at promoting capacities and conditions for equal dialogue that enhances the equality and standard of citizen participation.
One of the important dialogue mechanisms that we have with our stakeholders in territories are the Quarterly Meetings for Transparency, through which we share information on our operational results and socio-environmental management, and listen to our stakeholders’ expectations or concerns regarding the development of our activities. Importantly, our teams of field-based community relations specialists give GeoPark permanent, accessible and expanded spaces in which to have direct conversations with our stakeholders in person.
As part of the strategy to promote citizen participation and to meet the growing needs of social dialogue based on principles of equality and respect between the industry and communities, we worked together with neighbors to create training and education processes that aim for better relationships regarding management and dispute resolution.
We promote citizen participation and a culture of peace. We see this process as strategic in the feasibility and continuous improvement of our operations, with respect for and in balance with the environment. Accordingly, we develop spaces that facilitate the participation of authorities, communities, social organizations and unions. These include:
Stakeholder dialogue and consultations
Type of informative space | Total meetings | Total participants |
Handling complaints and requests | 72 | 837 |
Transparency meetings | 21 | 312 |
Internal induction of contractors | 23 | 142 |
Community Benefit Programs (PBC) and social investment | 116 | 2,080 |
External introduction of contractors | 48 | 791 |
Follow-up meetings with communities and authorities | 157 | 1,692 |
Socialization of environmental studies / Stakeholder induction | 628 | 3,517 |
Ethnic relationships and pre consultations | 35 | 1,079 |
Cafés de la Amistad | 28 | 113 |
Cafés Empresariales | 5 | 81 |
Total | 1,133 | 10,644 |
(103-3) As part of our Good Neighborliness strategy in Ecuador’s Espejo block, we continued the dialogue and citizen participation process as part of our early management and ahead of seismic activity in the territory. In 2020 we held 98 meetings with our neighbors, which were attended by 1,425 people from pre-cooperatives and communities. We discussed the principles and the future of a harmonious coexistence, based on the value promises of our SPEED Integrated Value System.
of our neighbors in Ecuador and Colombia participated in 157 meetings we held at GeoPark in 2020 to monitor commitments.
people, includingneighbors, authorities and social organizations, participated in 628 information spaces to identify impacts and monitor environmental and social issues of operations in Colombia.
people, including neighbors, authorities and social organizations, participated in the processes of defining and monitoring community benefit programs and social investment in Colombia and Ecuador.
(413-1) SASB: EM-EP-210b.1. IPIECA: SOC-9, SOC-12 and SOC-13
