CCCS is one of the few international social development consultancies specializing in Indigenous Peoples issues. Since our incorporation, CCCS has been closely involved in the formulation and evolution of international policy for the protection of Indigenous Peoples. Our early exposure came via the World Bank, for which we reviewed project experiences implementing Bank policy. Subsequently, we were engaged to help co-author Bank guidance notes for evaluating project implementation. We have also worked with the Asian Development Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to examine the workability of different policy approaches, and to help test for the potential efficacy of their implementation.
Our past work with international development projects affecting Indigenous Peoples is extensive. Beyond policy formulation and review, we work with private-sector clients to evaluate whether their projects are likely to affect indigenous populations in any way. After that, we help plan and implement project action plans for impact mitigation and benefits-sharing measures in compliance with the IFC Performance Standards. With our vast insider knowledge of Indigenous Peoples safeguards and international best practice, we help projects establish sustainable and lasting relationships with indigenous stakeholders in a manner fully adherent to international Good Practice.
CCCS also seeks to work with Indigenous Peoples’ own organizations and representatives, contacting, consulting, and collaborating directly with indigenous leaders and groups. We set up integrated CCCS-indigenous teams to design project social development planning and we encourage use of indigenous languages, spirituality, and forms of hospitality when we design project-community interactions. Our guiding principle when we work with Indigenous Peoples is to encourage them to determine their own definitions of “sustainability” as they work with government, company, and consultants to guide their futures.