Social impacts management

Operation

HUILA

Aipe, Neiva, Palermo, Tello, Yaguará and Villavieja

PUTUMAYO

Orito, Puerto Caicedo, Valle del Guamuez, San Miguel, Ipiales

Description of affected community

The communities in which operations are conducted in Huila involve material challenges in terms of territorial development, as indicators of accessibility to their rights are lower than the national, departmental and municipal average. In sectors such as access to public services, access percentages for territorial units are much lower than those in the urban area of ​​each municipality. The main requests for social investment are focused on solutions for access to drinking water, energy, and gas.

Putumayo and Nariño are areas characterized for being prioritized by government peace building policies given the historical territorial conflict they have faced and the high presence of crops for illicit use.

Women have few opportunities in the formal labor market and in leadership positions. In the indigenous communities of Putumayo, women face double discrimination based on gender and ethnicity.

Disparities exist as regards education quality, as rural areas lack adequate access to basic and technical education, thus limiting their working opportunities. In indigenous communities, illiteracy, and school dropout rates are high.

Communities depend on community action boards, although they face limitation in resources and management capacity. Indigenous communities have their own organizational systems, but they are often marginalized in local policies.

The distribution of resources generated by hydrocarbon operations is unequal, and the lack of coordination between authorities and companies makes efficient and equitable management difficult. Governance in Putumayo is affected by institutional weakness and the presence of illegal actors.

Identified impacts

1. Generation and/or alteration of social conflicts: Generation of expectations among the people due to : a) expectations of differential inclusion and labor participation, as well as cumulative impact generated by the industry (Ethnic Affairs -Putumayo and Non-ethnic Communities - Huila); b) expectations of social investment - Putumayo/Huila
2. Modification of economic activities in the area: Change in the dynamics of employment and demand for goods and services: generation of jobs in energy transition projects with different working conditions (non-oil wages and less labor) -Huila
3. Impact on mobility and local connectivity: Change in community access to nucleated centers and/or territory: shared use and deterioration of roads and public infrastructure (during rainy season. -Putumayo-Huila.
4. Affectation of communities due to environmental damage derived from illegal actors' action

Management measures

1. Together with the operation, projects and support areas, there is joint planning of regional needs, identifying the places, timing, and scope of interventions to determine integrated actions for the management of the territory. In this sense, there is an x-ray of asset needs and critical activities that are performed in each of the territorial units of this coordination.
2. An internal and external relationship plan was built and implemented to meet the objectives of the Comprehensive Territory Management Plan.
3. External: Systematic relationship with Public Forces, Mayor's Offices, Governor Offices, Civil Society, and USO. Internal: bilateral systematic spaces between areas and systematic spaces with contracting companies.
4. Information strategies with local authorities and communities, aimed at reducing expectations on the scope of the operation projects and management of issues that give rise to conflict.
5. Systematic scenarios of social dialogue with community action boards -JAC - for the construction of a joint vision of the territory - spaces for harmonization with ethnic groups.
6. Coordinated construction of the social investment portfolio, and comprehensiveness of dialogue processes with social investment projects. In regard to the Huila case, the transversal axis is young people and women (incorporating the Casa de la Mujer, Jóvenes Pacificos projects and the endowment of these infrastructures). In Putumayo, the common thread includes the alternative vision of development through social dialogue initiatives with a differential approach and emphasis on the strengthening of diverse cultures and investment projects in the productive sectors, sustainable tourism and energy transition

Operation

SARARE

Cubará and Toledo

Description of affected community

 The Sarare region is located in a territory in dispute between the municipalities of Cubará (Boyacá) and Toledo (Norte de Santander), which must be settled in the Congress of the Republic.

In Toledo, there is a population of 16,325 inhabitants, made up of farmers, settlers and indigenous people of the U'wa people, of which 7,894 (48.4%) are women and 8,431 (51.6%) are men, while the urban population is 5,660 (34.67%) and the rural population is 10,665 (65.33%). The indigenous population is 693 people, (4.49%).

Cubará has a rural and urban population of 10,750 inhabitants, made up of settlers and indigenous people, of which 5,365 are women and 5,385 are men. The urban population is 2,296 (21.36%) and the rural population is 8,454 (78.64%). The indigenous population is made up of 5,494 people (53.24%). The conditions of gender equality are worsened because of the armed conflict that has existed in the territory. On the other hand, the presence of the U'wa people has a great impact since these communities are a political actor in the territory.

In Toledo, the main economic activities are the cultivation of agro-forestry coffee, sugar cane, and cacao, extensive dual-purpose livestock farming, artisanal fishing for self-consumption, tourism with fairs and festivals, ecotourism in the Tamá National Natural Park, underground coal mining, and the generation of labor engaged for the Caño Limón Coveñas Pipeline.

As productive and economic activities in the municipality of Cubará, the cultivation of banana, cane and corn, dual-purpose livestock, tourism in the Reservation, in the Bojaba, Royota and Arauca rivers, in agro-tourism farms, in the cacao process, and cattle farming stand out.

Ecopetrol's investment in the municipalities of Toledo and Cubará have been focused on the improvement of community and educational infrastructure, health, education and rural development projects.

Identified impacts

1. Generation and/or alteration of social conflicts related to labor hiring, misinformation about activities and projects, requests for social investment.
2. Affectation of physical and social infrastructure, and public and social services due to overlapping with project areas.
3. environmental impact on natural resources due to operating conditions or third-party actions.
4. Modification of the territory's economic vocation due to the presence of hydrocarbon activities.
5. Ethnic and inclusion expectations: Generation of high expectations in ethnic communities regarding participation in decision-making about projects and social investment.

Management measures

1. Spaces for social dialogue, with emphasis on participation mechanisms and information and communication spaces on issues of employability and goods and services.
2. Workshops on environmental sustainability and management of environmental projects. Raising awareness on preservation of the environment and the sustainable use of natural resources.
3. Participation in intercultural dialogue groups with the U'wa people, in coordination with institutions and companies to anticipate potential conflicts
4. Strategic social investment in prevention and access to health with an ethnic focus, family-scale agricultural projects, and strengthening of agricultural technical means in educational institutions.

Operation

CASANARE

Yopal – Floreña and Pauto, Aguazul, - Cupiagua, Tauramena – Cusiana

Description of affected community

The area of ​​influence of the Piedemonte regional in the Department of Casanare (Tauramena, Aguazul, and Yopal), are communities that still depend largely on Ecopetrol's oil operations, which has generated economic development, but also socioeconomic vulnerability. Although they have basic educational coverage, their level of access to higher education is low, thus limiting skilled labor opportunities. Gender inequalities persist, with high female participation in informal jobs, and their health infrastructure is insufficient, especially in rural areas. Governance faces challenges in the efficient management of royalties and economic diversification, while social organization, although active, remains fragmented, making it difficult to coordinate collective demands. These communities need to strengthen social inclusion, improve public services, and promote sustainable alternatives to reduce their dependence on the oil industry. Social investment in this region seeks to promote local development of the Piedemonte Llanero through participatory and concerted social investment, with emphasis on road and community infrastructure, access to public services (water and gas), and boosting own economies through inclusive rural development and business strengthening.

Identified impacts

1.  Change in demographic variables: The arrival of the hydrocarbon industry fueled population growth in Casanare due to labor migration.
2. Modification of physical and social infrastructure, and public and social services: Availability of public and social services, affecting the basic needs of the community
3. Modification of accessibility, mobility, and local connectivity: Transformations were generated in road infrastructure and local connectivity.
4. Modification of economic activities in the area: Changes in land use and traditional production practices.
5. Generation and/or alteration of social conflicts: Work expectations increased, generating conflicts
6. Generation of institutional expectations: Local governments anticipated inter-institutional agreements and resources from industry.
7. Change in the culture of the region: Labor migration brought new habits, generating a process of cultural adaptation in the region.

Management measures

1. Spaces for dialogue with communities and local authorities (in person or virtual).
2. Socialization of the PQRS process and application of an annual perception survey.
3. Development and dissemination of strategic content - Quarterly
4. Spaces that facilitate the analysis of the socio-environmental contexts of the communities
5. Participatory days to promote territorial planning.
6. Training community leaders on social issues
7. Local meeting where training is provided on emotional intelligence, trust, dialogue, and assertive listening
8. Training on topics for local and regional management, which are previously agreed with the institutional authorities.
9. Artistic training through school and cultural events by municipality.
10. Formation for entrepreneurs and solidarity organizations in project generation, financial management, and administrative functioning.
11. Technical, legal and financial support to solidarity organizations.
12. Strategic social investment in road improvement, access to public services (gas, water and electrification).

Operation

SANTANDER

(Barrancabermeja, Puerto Wilches, Sabana de Torres, San Vicente de Chucurí, Rionegro).

CESAR

(San Martín)

ANTIOQUIA

(Puerto Nare, Puerto Triunfo, Yondó)

BOLÍVAR

(Cantagallo)

BOYACÁ

(Puerto Boyacá)

NORTE DE SANTANDER

(Tibú)

Description of affected community

The operations of the Central Regional cover 14 municipalities of the 26 existing in the 6 departments within the Magdalena Medio region. The operation has urban operating enclaves such as the Refinery in Barrancabermeja, as well as isolated wellsites in distant and rural areas of municipalities such as Cantagallo or Tibú, which entails different forms of relationship with the surrounding communities. The female population is concentrated in the main cities and is related to greater job opportunities. The indigenous population in the prioritized municipalities is low (0.1%). The Afro-Colombian population has a significant presence in the municipalities of Cantagallo, Puerto Boyacá, Puerto Nare and Barrancabermeja; Regarding the ROM population, it is only present in Cúcuta, Barrancabermeja and Puerto Wilches, (0.003%). At the regional level, there are women's organizations that seek to overcome the conditions of violence and inequality generated by the armed conflict.

The Central region is characterized by having economic diversity, most of it related to raw material extraction activities and agriculture, livestock, and fishing activities. Other sectors such as tourism are growing around water resources in the region.

The educational level, especially in rural areas, is low, which limits employability and generates economic dependence on the industry.

High levels of Unmet Basic Needs (UBN) 19.61% (26 municipalities) mainly in Tibú, El Carmen de Chucurí, Cantagallo, Puerto Wilches, Yondó and San Martín.

In terms of governance, the management of resources derived from the industry faces challenges such as transparency and coordination, which impacts the equity of benefits, and contrasts with numerous presence of organized armed groups and criminal structures that operate in the region.

Identified impacts

1. Change in the social use of land due to the transformation of productive practices.
2. Change in demographic variables: migratory impact due to the search for job opportunities and contracting of goods and services with the industry.
3. Impact on mobility, and local connectivity due to shared use of access roads, proximity to homes and increased road deterioration, especially during the rainy season.
4. Alteration in the visual perception of the landscape: impacts due to noise, light and particulate matter, conflict due to damage to third parties.
5. Involuntary population transfer: temporary relocation and permanent resettlements in assets such as La Cira Infantas, PMA de Mares for the Llanito, Lisama fields, as well as Sabana de Torres, Puerto Wilches, Cantagallo and Yondó.
6. Tension between institutional and community actors in the territories related to social investment and projects to support and benefit the communities.

Management measures

1. Strengthening the relationship with local authorities, with training processes for conflict transformation with allies such as MAPP OAS.
2. Spaces for social dialogue, with emphasis on participation mechanisms and information and communication spaces on issues of employability and goods and services.
3. Strategic alliances to strengthen the productive vocation and generate employment outside the industry.
4. Definition of strategies for the use and maintenance of roads and mobilization of equipment.
5. Understanding the dynamics with a differential ethnic approach and compliance with relocation protocols, which include monitoring and follow-up.
6. Execution of training projects with community action boards, JAC, and fishermen through the ESAP Higher School of Public Administration. More than 200 people in 5 municipalities.
7. Improvement of work skills developed under the Agreement with SENA-Fundesmag and NCCR for work in the Barrancabermeja Refinery and solar projects, with the participation of women.
8. Attention to young people through the Youth 4.0 Project that has allowed four municipalities in the region to form the youth node (Barrancabermeja, Yondó, Cantagallo and Puerto Wilches).
9. Execution of projects to strengthen trust, dialogue, peaceful resolution of conflicts and cultural traditions with population groups such as women, LGTBIQ+, children, youth and the ethnic community in municipalities such as Barrancabermeja, Puerto Wilches, Tibú.
10. As for advanced investments, the following stand out: Treatment of sludge from PTAP Barranca, benefiting more than 180,000 people, adaptation of the Los Laureles sports center in El Centro, Las footprint Plates of San Vicente de Chucurí, Paving in El Llanito, route of the Mobile Health Unit in the regional.

Operation

LA GUAJIRA

(Uribia, Manaure, Dibulla, Riohacha)

BOLÍVAR

(Cartagena)

Description of affected community

The Caribbean region has a cultural and social structure where gender roles have male predominance in formal economic activities; however, there is a growing participation of women in social processes and roles associated with development projects.

The level of education is low, especially in rural areas and collective territories, which limits employment opportunities.

In Cartagena, communities have basic organizational structures, such as community action boards and groups of community leaders who are active in environmental issues, a situation that facilitates dialogue with the industry. Women represent 52% of the population in the municipality and, in spite tourist activities that can demand female labor, a higher unemployment rate persists.

In La Guajira, the predominant population is the Wayuu ethnic group (more than 50% of the population), although in the department there is presence of other ethnic groups such as the Wiwa, Arhuacos and Koguis, as well as the Afro-Colombian population. Wayuu communities are organized into rancherías with Traditional Authorities, who make decisions independently. For indigenous women, the gaps in gender equity are higher due to their ethnic condition and the difficulties represented by the difficulty of accessing drinking water and basic services given the conditions of the territory. In general, they are the ones who generate labor income through crafts.

In the Caribbean, the limited capacity of local governments to address community needs gives rise to dependence on companies for access to services and infrastructure improvement. The region has a common high potential to generate income and employment through tourism.

Identified impacts

1. Generation and/or alteration of social conflicts:

-Execution of offshore projects, associated with performance of prior consultations due to the presence of ethnic groups that have cultural practices at sea. -High expectation in labor for offshore projects; however, the technology associated with these projects does not involve high demand for labor.

-Generation of expectations in the population for the energy transition projects that are intended to be developed in the territory: employment expectations and community benefits.

-Generation and alteration of social conflicts due to differences in criteria relative to actions of Ecopetrol Group companies in offshore and onshore projects.

-In the Cartagena Refinery, the development of new technologies for conducting major maintenance has resulted in a decrease in the participation of the communities in labor.

Management measures

1. Strengthening relationships of trust, mainly with ethnic groups and women under a differential approach, implementing spaces for dialogue and improving their capacities.
2. Contribution to local development from the consolidation of strategic investment in water, gas, education, circular economy, and green businesses.
3. Permanent, inclusive, timely, and transparent dialogue with Community Action Boards, the ethnic groups of La Guajira and Cartagena (Bolívar), and the regional contractors.
4. Strategic alliances for the qualification of the occupational profile in alternative energies (SENA, Corpoeducación and Secretariat of Education) in Cartagena.
5. Generation of synergies for regulatory compliance of contracting through the Public Employment System - SPE.
6. Strategic social investment in La Guajira is associated to water, education, development of local economies (crafts and tourism).

Andean South Pacific

311

4.822

Orinoquía

954

58.657

Caribbean

148

2.615

Piedemonte

175

5.481

Central

196

3.760

Affiliate - Hocol

1.556

12.804

Partners

625

14.580

Total

3.965

102.719