You want to implement projects that secure both investor backing and strong local support leading to timely permits.
We enable partnerships to design successful projects in shared space
We facilitate processes that ensure clarity, mutual understanding and trust to enable communities, developers and authorities to make agreements and co-design projects supported by all.
The resulting partnerships deliver Supported Projects
Most projects are well developed technically, financially, and legally. But in shared spaces where people live and work, they also need local legitimacy and support. When that dimension is weak, delay, conflict, and opposition can undermine an otherwise viable project.
“The insights that John brought to someone like me is that it's fine to have the team of engineers, geologists, and everyone else prepare a project, but ultimately you do NEED input from your host community in that project, so that when you do go out there, they are already informed.”
Vassillios Carellas, COO Arc Minerals
“The engagement with John taught me three things: 1) the absolute need to train project teams about the importance of genuine community engagement; 2) the absolute importance of shared ownership and involving the community in decision-making processes at a very early stage; and finally 3) to be inclusive, to ensure all voices from the community are heard, including the marginalised ones.”
Brigitte Bichler, Head of OMV Sustainability
"Even in the most challenging projects, AstonECO always delivered the best value for the community and CLDC."
Gloria Callinan, Programme Coordinator
"AstonECO changed our thinking, and provided the support we needed to keep our community on board with our energy projects. Their contribution is essential nationally for a smooth energy transition."
Dara O’ Maoildhia, Aran Islands Energy Co-op
“These solutions should be incorporated by any company before investing and maintained throughout the process.”
Vassillios Carellas, CEO
“AstonECO is one of the most experienced and qualified professional teams in the sustainability field I have worked with.”
Mircea Mocanu, Head of Socio-Economic Section, Romania
“The AstoneECO team excels at empowering both companies and communities to address pressing business sustainability challenges through effective stakeholder engagement.”
Hugh Attwater, Head of Social Performance UK
“AstonECO gave our teams the tools to develop successful projects which support our business as well as our stakeholders.”
Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Sonja Bohme, Head of Corporate Sustainability
“By managing our stakeholder-related risks with AstonECO’s support, we economically met or exceeded our company standards and project timelines.”
Ramona Brad, Director External Affairs, Romania and Balkans
We support you on your journey to Supported Projects
We assess the current situation against your goals
We work with you and your stakeholders to map out where you are now relative to what you want to achieve. We help you co-create joint strategies to address risks, potential obstacles and opportunities.
We build your capacity for co-design
We help you build and resource a winning stakeholder team, and develop the needed mindset, frameworks and skills to get all stakeholders to the table to co-design a project wanted by all (Smart Projects).
We help you implement
We make sure that the Smart Engagement strategy & plan required for your project success is rolled out. We do this in partnership with you and your key stakeholders. We ensure the job gets done.
Project in focus: The Earning Local Support Academy (ELSA)
Through years of working across large energy, infrastructure, and extractive projects, one pattern repeats: projects that don’t address local support early in the design process are more likely to be opposed, and eventually fail. This is also increasingly true in the renewables sector, currently under pressure to deliver a much needed energy transition.
This is why AstonECO developed the Earning Local Support Academy (ELSA): to help project proponents, investors and authorities reduce early social risk and build better-supported projects through learning, advisory support, and practical application.
Download our book “Smart Engagement: Why, What, Who and How”
This gives context for how Smart Engagement could help your project, your team or your mission. If you need more specific information or an assessment of solutions for your needs, let us know.