Biovac: Community Engagement Plan

Mthente Research and Consulting Services was commissioned by Biovac to develop a detailed Stakeholder Engagement Plan in line with the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) guidelines as part of a critical project funding agreement. The SEP was designed to ensure meaningful and ongoing community involvement, aligning with the World Bank Group’s IFC “Good Practice Handbook for Companies Doing Business in Emerging Markets.” The project primarily focused on Biovac’s state-of-the-art vaccine manufacturing facility in Cape Town, which aims to scale up vaccine production to meet global standards.

Mthente conducted a thorough stakeholder mapping exercise to identify and prioritise key groups, including local residents, community organisations, and other interest groups in the Pinelands area. Through preliminary interviews and public engagement sessions, Mthente developed an SEP that included a clear strategy for information sharing, external communication, and grievance mechanism to address stakeholder concerns promptly and effectively, with ongoing monitoring and reporting procedures to track progress and maintain open lines of communication.

Overall, Mthente’s work for Biovac laid the foundation for a sustainable and cooperative relationship between Biovac and the surrounding community, ensuring that the company’s expansion aligns with the needs and expectations of local stakeholders.