Bridging the community - developer divide

Our purpose

In our extensive project development experience, we have seen that businesses, communities and government bodies win much by understanding each other’s fears, concerns and interests; and addressing them before decisions are made and designs are done. Our job is to help this happen.

Our Purpose
Win-Win

Why we do what we do

Each potential project can support or undermine local sustainable development. If we set to understand, early in a project’s design, how it might fit into a host community’s sustainable development journey, we’re in for a significant win - for business, communities and nations.

astonECO - Our VisionOur Vision

astonECO - Our MissionOur Mission

astonECO - Our ValuesOur Values

What we bring to the table

We understand business

We are engineers, community developers, entrepreneurs, communicators, analysts, project developers and stakeholder engagers. We know the challenges first hand.

We understand technical and environmental design

We partook in the design and implementation of innovative natural resource projects internationally.

We address perceptions and opportunities

We understand that project risks are about perceptions as much as (or sometimes more than) about facts. We know that projects need to address perceptions, outrage and mutual opportunities, as well as risks, hazards challenges.

We understand community partnerships

We have facilitated many developer - community interactions. We know how to make partnerships that work for both developers and host communities.

We are facilitators and project-co-designers

We're industry leaders in engagement that delivers agreements that empower a sustainable future for both developers and host communities.

What we bring to the table

Meet our team

Andreea Savu-Aston
Andreea Savu
Project Manager

MA Communication for multi-stakeholder partnerships

Andreea is a communications and organisational change specialist with 15 years of international experience across corporate, non-profit, and academic sectors. Specialising in bridging-communication between projects and host communities, she has worked extensively as a community engagement facilitator, project manager, copywriter, and university instructor. Meet Andreea on LinkedIn.

Carsten Krieger
Carsten Krieger
Engagement Facilitator

Diploma in health

Carsten is an engagement facilitator with extensive experience in nature conservation, community-based tourism, and education. Over the past two decades, he has authored 20+ photo-based books on natural history, heritage and travel, and worked with clients like Failte Ireland and the Irish Wildlife Trust. His skills as an avid photographer enrich his engagement projects. Meet Carsten on LinkedIn.

 

Conor Totterdell
Conor Totterdell
Research Associate

MSc Global Environmental Economics

Conor is an environmental economist with a background in energy infrastructure, now focusing on market regulation. He is passionate about fostering community partnerships to facilitate the energy transition. As a researcher and advocate for ELSA, Conor applies his expertise to support its sustainable development. He is also an enthusiastic sailor, particularly in offshore racing. Meet Conor on LinkedIn

John Aston
John Aston
Managing Director

MSc Environmental Management, Chartered Engineer

John has over 35 years of international experience in natural resource project development, impact assessments, and change management. Since 2007, he has specialised in earning local support for impactful projects, adeptly integrating business, technology, permitting, and community development through co-assessment and co-design. Meet John on LinkedIn.

Our Mission

We facilitate engagement processes that cultivate clarity, mutual understanding and trust to enable communities, industry and authorities to co-design projects supported by all.

Our Values

Inclusivity: Each perspective adds value - we create spaces where perspectives are shared, listened to and respected, where all individuals can take part in decisions that affect them.

Clarity: We strive for a clear understanding by all involved, that current realities & perspectives, objectives, risks, aspirations and opportunities are mutually recognised, in order to enable informed discussion and decisions.

Creativity: We work to stimulate creativity and learning in thought and action, with a view to reach common objectives and mobilise required innovations. 

Can-do: We believe there are solutions to our shared challenges and we know that together we can realise them.

People: We enjoy working, innovating and learning with the people around us.

Our Vision

Communities, industry and authorities find it easy to work together to co-create projects that result in a sustainable and prosperous future for all involved, and for society at large.

Why we do what we do

There are huge potential upsides from changing the way we think about project development. Obviously, projects have to be financially successful and technically feasible. Nowadays, people also put their foot down and say they have to be environmentally compatible. Also, given the increasing challenges facing communities, they benefit from partnering with local sustainable development potential so they can be embraced by all community members.

Smart Engagement does just that: takes the focus away from only the economic and technical aspects of a project to getting the stakeholders involved in their co-design from the beginning. It takes a little more time, so it may cost a little more to start with; but it saves a lot later, and has potential to add much more value – to all involved.

You get a sustainable project, because at the end of the day, your projects’ neighbours are the people who know what they can and want to live with.