Strengthening Social License to Operate Through Strategic Community Engagement


Challenge

A global chemical company needed a scalable social impact strategy to strengthen community trust and protect its social license to operate. With heightened attention from local stakeholders, the company sought a consistent, credible approach to community engagement that could be deployed across regions and aligned with broader business objectives.

Solution

Addressing both immediate concerns and long-term goals, we built a social impact strategy grounded in stakeholder engagement, internal alignment, and strategic communications. Our process began with in-depth research to understand the concerns and expectations of internal and external stakeholders. These insights informed a framework designed to address community needs while reinforcing the company’s business goals and values.

The strategy included programming focused on environmental responsibility and STEM education, supported by partnerships with national and local nonprofits. These partners brought trusted expertise and established programs that enabled faster implementation and deeper community impact. To support internal rollout, we established clear governance structures, defined roles, and cross-functional coordination.

We also developed a comprehensive messaging platform to support consistent, credible communication across all stakeholder groups. This included tailored messaging, supporting materials, and guidance to help internal and external teams engage with clarity and confidence—ensuring the company could proactively address concerns, build trust, and communicate its commitments clearly and credibly.