BRI projects have the potential to impact local communities, including Indigenous peoples, minorities, women, the elderly, youth, and people with disabilities in host countries. Even though Affected People may live directly on proposed project sites, infrastructure projects could also have significant — and, at times, cumulative and transboundary — impacts on people who live in proximity to or far from the project sites. Even though these people may not reside in a project’s direct vicinity, they should be considered as stakeholders within the project area of influence. Subcontractors, contractors, developers, financiers, and the host country government should conduct the proper due diligence to assess wider impacts and inform, engage, and consult these people.
It is necessary to pay special attention to the views, needs, and practices of minorities, women, the elderly, youth, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups — not just the perspectives of community leaders, village heads, and heads of household. Subcontractors, contractors, developers, financiers, and the host country government must uphold Indigenous peoples’ right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).
Possible Roles and Responsibilities of Affected People:
• Receive project-related information from subcontractors, contractors, developers, financiers, and the host country government.
• Attend project-related meetings organized by subcontractors, contractors, developers, financiers, the host country government, ESIA consultants, the ESIA authority, and other stakeholders.
• Engage, consult, and collaborate with subcontractors, contractors, developers, financiers, and authorities from the host country government.
• Provide regular and meaningful input on environmental and social issues, including but not limited to land acquisition, compensation, resettlement, livelihood restoration support, and local employment.
• Give or withhold FPIC before project decisions can be finalized, in the case of Indigenous peoples.
• Submit queries/concerns/complaints to subcontractors, contractors, developers, financiers, and the host country government.
• Participate in community coordination committee meetings and/or collaborative monitoring councils.
• Support monitoring activities and share data on each project’s environmental and social impacts.
Alternatively, validate the results of periodic monitoring reports produced by researchers/experts or subcontractors, contractors, and developers.