The No Nonsense Sustainability Way to Community Engagement: Practical Tips for Mapping Your Community

One of the fastest ways for a project to go off track is to assume you know who your communities/stakeholders are - or worse, to lump them all under a single label like “the community.” In sustainability, development, and ESG work, the reality is more complex. Every project has a web of people, groups, and institutions who are directly or indirectly impacted, and each comes with their own priorities, concerns, and influence.

If you want your engagement to be more than a box-ticking exercise, you need a clear, structured approach to identifying and mapping stakeholders from the very start. Let's see what that means before Bob buzzes.

Why Stakeholder Mapping Matters

Think of stakeholder mapping as drawing a detailed map before you set out on a long journey. Without it, you risk missing key waypoints or getting lost. A good map does more than list names - it helps you understand:

• Who needs to be involved early and closely.

• Who has influence over decision-making.

• Who might resist the project - and why.

• Who can act as allies or champions.

It also prevents you from overlooking vulnerable or less visible groups whose voices are critical to equitable outcomes. The good news is you probably already do this for stakeholder engagement and communication!

Step 1: Start with a Wide Net

List everyone who might have an interest in or be impacted by the project. Include:

• Direct beneficiaries

• Indirectly affected groups

• Local leaders and decision-makers

• Civil society organisations

• Industry players and suppliers

• Regulators and policy-makers

• Marginalised or at-risk groups

Step 2: Use the Influence–Impact Matrix

Bob is buzzing, but hear me out!

Plot each stakeholder:

• High influence / High impact → Engage closely, involve in decisions.

• High influence / Low impact → Keep informed, leverage their influence.

• Low influence / High impact → Engage directly, ensure needs are represented.

• Low influence / Low impact → Monitor periodically.

This helps prioritise without ignoring anyone.

Step 3: Understand Relationships

Stakeholders don’t exist in isolation. Map relationships to reveal alliances, conflicts, or dependencies. For example:

• Local government + business association may align on infrastructure.

• Environmental groups + industry may be in open conflict.

• Two “community” groups may hold opposing views.

Knowing this upfront lets you design smarter engagement strategies.

Step 4: Keep the Map Alive

Stakeholder maps are living documents. Impacts shift. New players emerge. A group with low influence today may become critical tomorrow. Update regularly.

Step 5: Link Mapping to Real Engagement

A map is only useful if you act on it. Use it to:

• Plan targeted engagement.

• Allocate time and resources effectively.

• Anticipate risks or opposition.

• Identify champions who can amplify your message.

The No Nonsense Sustainability Takeaway

If your stakeholder mapping is rushed, superficial, or treated as a one-off task, it will show - in delays, resistance, and missed opportunities. With a systematic approach, you’ll have a clear guide for meaningful engagement that reflects the complexity of your project’s context.

As we discussed on the podcast: good engagement starts with knowing exactly who you need to engage and why. Stakeholder mapping isn’t admin - it’s the foundation of every successful sustainability project.

For more info, hit up resources such as the IFC guidance note on stakeholder engagement.