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Home > Community > Community Programmes > Social Assesment
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As the first step in realizing its social responsibilities, SMF strives to understand the capabilities, condition, aspirations, and needs of the people in the communities living in and around its concession areas. To identify these factors, SMF uses an assessment methodology called the Participatory Rural Appraisal. As part of the overall assessment, SMF also identifies the natural resources available to each community. With each assessment SMF identifies the community's critical problems and needs. Alternative solutions are then proposed and a collaborative process (with SMF staff and the community) is used to select the best social approaches to pursue. Once the approaches have been agreed upon, a plan is developed. Each plan is structured so that goals are attainable and to ensure that there are easily measured steps that will reward and encourage the effort of various members of the community. The overall goal of these programs is to increase the community's income and support sound economic development. To further enhance this program, SMF provides economic assistance, facilities and training, the later to raise awareness in the community about the benefits of these programs and the importance of conserving the area's natural resources. The Participatory Rural Appraisal methodology was applied because it is considered the most effective in encouraging community participation from various groups, including women and children. |