ELSA Project Partnership

When organisations are ready to act — but need a way to apply it

Some projects reach a point where:

• there is clear awareness of early-stage social risk
• leadership teams want to move beyond diagnosis into action
• existing approaches need to be redesigned to build credibility and trust
• there is a desire to establish a more structured, repeatable approach to building local support, that can be then used across future projects

At this stage, the challenge is no longer understanding the issue.

It is how to upgrade to project development in shared space, in a way that makes projects stronger, more legitimate, and easier to deliver.

Applying the approach within a real project

The Project Partnership is a structured collaboration focused on applying the Renewables AT PACE framework in practice.

It typically includes:

• facilitated design of early engagement and partnership architecture
• shaping decision pathways and governance needed to support collaboration
• coaching and check-ins with the project team
• support through key project moments (e.g. stakeholder engagement, decision points)
• co-design sessions where appropriate
• structured capture of learning and proof

The approach is tailored to the specific project and organisational context.

You get tangible outputs and structured development

The partnership typically produces:

• a pilot plan and governance map
• a defined engagement architecture and supporting tools
• outputs from facilitated sessions and key meetings
• documented learning and proof points
• anonymised case material where appropriate
• a draft internal playbook capturing the approach

The outcome: From reactive engagement to structured collaboration

The partnership typically leads to:

• a visible shift from reactive engagement to early, structured collaboration
• improved trust and legitimacy conditions with stakeholders
• stronger alignment within the project team
• a clearer and more robust approach to project design and engagement in contested spaces
• a repeatable architecture that can be applied to future projects

Together, these strengthen the fourth pillar of project success, local legitimacy and support, while the project is still being shaped.

Investment

Project Partnerships typically start from €35,000
(typical range €40k–€60k, €75k+ for more complex programmes)

The focus is on applying a structured approach early, where the value of improved alignment, trust and project flow significantly outweighs the cost.

Led by John Aston 

John, ELSA’s lead creator, has helped tens of clients over the last 30 years, from junior companies to multi-million international corporations resolve local conflicts and sustainably build projects in shared space.

He is the Co-Operating Agent of the International Energy Agency Wind Task 62 on social science and wind energy - where he also represents Ireland.

John was part of the expert team who created AA1000 Stakeholder Engagement Standards, one of the leading stakeholder engagement standards in the world.