rpsgroup.com/ireland Keeping Stakeholders Engaged and I nformed and Projects On-Track April Mangan BE MEngSc CEng HDip(PR) – RPS Project Communications Lead Southern Region Tel: (087) 202 5910 Email: april.mangan@rpsgroup.com Dan O’Boyle BA Media & Comms MA (PR)– Associate, RPS Project Communications Tel: (085) 721 6283 Email: dan.oboyle@rpsgroup.com
rpsgroup.com/ireland Agenda • Why Communicate? • How to Plan and Manage Communications • Specific Stakeholder Groups
Why Communicate? rpsgroup.com/ireland
rpsgroup.com/ireland Stages of Project Development Project Inception Feasibility Preliminary Design / Planning Procurement Construction & Commissioning Operation
rpsgroup.com/ireland Why Communicate?
rpsgroup.com/ireland Why Communicate? Manage communications risks Build understanding and support Build trust Facilitate public participation Manage issues: protect project and its reputation Planning Consent Buildable Project
rpsgroup.com/ireland How to Manage Communications • Communications strategy will set out the approach to communications for each stage of the project • All communications should be • Accessible • Meaningful • Accountable
rpsgroup.com/ireland How to Manage Communications • Communications Strategy • Bespoke for your project • Applies to the entire project team • Key Elements • Communications Goals • Know your audience • Identify risk • Plan Communication and Engagement • Communications Channels • Key messages for the project • Procedure and protocols
rpsgroup.com/ireland Early Engagement • Communication needs to start early • Project Managers need to gain support and buy-in • Within the broader organisation • Within the project team • Communication with external stakeholders follows
rpsgroup.com/ireland Public Consultation • Opportunities to influence project development and decisions • Required as part of the regulatory process • Needs clear Terms of Reference
Methodology / Roadmap rpsgroup.com/ireland
rpsgroup.com/ireland Recording Feedback • Develop protocol for how issues and queries are to be recorded, actioned and reviewed • Stakeholder Database • Internal team communications protocol
rpsgroup.com/ireland Community Businesses Local Residents/ Organisations Landowners Government Community Regulatory Info Events Community Gain / Offices Meetings Statutory Project Website, Projec t TD/Sen Project Phone, Email Videos Consultees Newsletters Statutory Statutory Political Political Consultation Oireachtas Briefings / Government Regular Progress Presentations Committees Depts Reports Project Parliamentary Councillors Pre-Application Questions Communications Planning Consultation Authorities Advisor Briefings MEPS NGO Briefings Interviews/ Special Photocalls Interest NGO Newsletters Press Releases Online Social Media Press Briefings Environmental NGOs/ National Policy Interest Local Groups Media
rpsgroup.com/ireland Community • The most important stakeholder group • Early and ongoing engagement is vital – info service • Project Liaison Group can be useful means of ongoing engagement • Information office for larger projects
rpsgroup.com/ireland Community Gain • Aim: Provide a proportionate benefit to help alleviate some of the effects of a project, or more simply put…to be a good neighbour! • Existing policy for energy and waste sectors • Provided for in planning legislation • Must be fair and transparent with appropriate governance/processes and effective communication
rpsgroup.com/ireland Landowner Engagement • Respect and trust between the project team and landowners is key to project buildability • Experienced specialists with a balance of communication skills and agronomy • Contributes to project understanding and trust at a wider local level
rpsgroup.com/ireland Media Relations • Media is another means to reaching your audiences • Expertise required to engage with media and foster relationships • Media will hold developer to account • Balanced media coverage is often as good as it gets
rpsgroup.com/ireland Political Engagement Communications with Public Representatives and Public Officials Strong positive or negative influence on project progress Communication with these stakeholders requires knowledge of public policy and understanding of local issues ‘New Politics’ – Supply & Confidence Agreement – Oireachtas Reform – Regulation of Lobbying Act (2015)
rpsgroup.com/ireland Public Participation Environmental I mpact Assessment Directive 2014/ 52/ EU Most radical change to the overall EIA Directive since the introduction of the Aarhus public participation requirements Must be transposed into law by 16th May 2017 Planning authority will have to, by means of a published report, show how consultation results have been incorporated into planning decision made Planning Authority will require applicant to prepare a report to respond to public feedback and to demonstrate how public feedback informed / influenced the development of the project
rpsgroup.com/ireland Key Messages for This Evening… • Every project should have a Communications Strategy & Plan as part of the Project Execution Plan • Communications should be a central to project delivery • Be proactive - engage early to build trust! • Trust is hard earned but easily spent!
rpsgroup.com/ireland rpsgroup.com/ireland QUESTI ONS & DI SCUSSI ON
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