In 2013, 13 coordination meetings were held with the project technical committees.

During 2013, significant effort was spent on developing community awareness and involvement through the creation of management committees. These committees have to manage the services and infrastructures created, ensuring they are sustainable from a managerial, technical and financial viewpoint.

For example, in 2013 the empowerment of key local players in the education sector was achieved by:

  • Skills reinforcement for 42 teachers in 10 primary schools;
  • Improvement of school canteens management in 5 schools;
  • Formation and revitalization of management committees involving parents and teachers;
  • Awareness raising activities for hygiene issues among pupils and teachers.

In Ecuador, eni’s consultation and participation procedures are in line with the Ecuadorian law, which requires consultation with the communities affected before any oil and gas operations take place, with the government taking part to such consultations, too. The aim of this process is to ensure transparency on operations that could affect the environment, making sure that the communities living in the areas affected are sufficiently informed, that their opinions, comments and proposals are considered, and that people’s right to live in a healthy, ecologically balanced and unpolluted environment is guaranteed.

In the case of indigenous peoples, the procedures for consultation and participation take into consideration the environmental risks that affect their land (either directly or indirectly) and include respect for their culture and organizational structures.

In Ecuador the consultation process aims to ensure operations transparency.