Systematic stakeholder engagement generates projects or programmes aimed at addressing issues and opportunities. Implementation of these projects or programmes is often perceived by stakeholders to be the responsibility of the company. This expectation can have negative consequences: dependencies are created, companies tread where they have little expertise, insufficient resources are made available, and long-term sustainability is jeopardized.

Meanwhile, an organisation's direct impacts begin to blur with the indirect impacts on the community, such as economic development and social issues. The challenge for companies is to allocate community investment to areas that complement or enhance performance and to balance their efforts across environmental, social, and economic dimensions.

ÉEM's multi-stakeholder partnership approach facilitates mutual understanding of issues and opportunities, brokers consensus on solutions, and leverages resources from multiple stakeholders (skills, funds, equipment, etc). The approach also provides a mechanism to ensure that community investment is demand-driven and that it's value is maximised.

Organisations from multiple sectors contribute with their core competencies, share risks, and benefit by achieving their own and mutual objectives.

ÉEM brings international experience from a range of sectors to its partnership building, community development, and strategic community investment services. In addition to field experience from North America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, our consultants are professionally trained and accredited in partnership brokering by the International Business Leaders' Forum, the University of Cambridge's Programme for Industry, the Overseas Development institute, and other leading institutions.  

ÉEM's community development and partnership building services help our clients ensure the long-term sustainability of their community development.