Socionaut: How to obtain the Social License to Operate in Colombia
The expression "Social License to Operate" was introduced in the late 1990s, specifically in connection with the Mining Sector. It refers to the legitimate permission granted by the communities where mega-projects are executed.
In Colombia, companies with projects that have significant socio-environmental impacts face the great challenge of obtaining and maintaining the Social License to Operate (SLO) and ensuring their viability. This license is not a physical permit but an intangible endorsement granted by the community in which the company operates. It is based on the social acceptance of the company's activities and projects and is crucial for its long-term success.
Gaining this license is not a simple or singular process. It is a continuous undertaking that requires project prop...