207
Mining will eventually affect the livelihood of farmers, agricultural labourers
and other rural workers whose jobs currently depend on agriculture. Farmers are
choosing mining over agriculture which might displace traditional livelihood
options in the long-term. However, it is mainly due to active community participation, broader understanding of community wellbeing as an approach to development and good governance that stakeholders are becoming more successful in
gaining traction in delivering development outcomes. Active participation in
decision- making has also helped some communities to proactively request initiatives intended to positively transform their assets and help cope with potential mining impacts. Collective decision-making and consensus are key drivers for an
integrated approach (Maalouf 2014) to wellbeing. This approach has also helped
many communities achieve their development goals and realise their entrepreneurial potential. It has also helped companies to produce in a more responsible manner.
A community member remarked:
Locals have a strong sense of community organisation. They own agriculture-based community associations that stimulate the local economy and foster employment. For example,
they own associations for blackberry and coffee production and commercialisation.
(Table 13.3, Row 3)
Based on Risaralda’s community aspirations and expectations, corporations and
governments have embarked on social responsibility agendas in which entrepreneurship is a key component. This has had positive impacts on locals, as these initiatives are more in tune with local circumstances. Generally, entrepreneurship is itself
perceived as an approach to development by stakeholders involved. Community
consultation in relation to needs and expectations is highly appreciated in the development of these initiatives, resulting in immediate benefits for locals. For example,
local coffee and jewellery producers, as well as women leaders, have already experienced the benefits of these initiatives: “We have trained in jewellery design … the
company has also provided us with some financial assistance to attend international
fairs so that we can promote and sell our products” (Community Members,
Interview, October, 2012). Evidence shows that if allocated effectively, financial aid
can transform livelihoods positively (Akudugu 2011).
There is a close relationship between good governance and the effectiveness of
these initiatives. Collaboration for entrepreneurship amongst stakeholders has been
a driver to enhance resilient and developed community assets (Missens et al. 2007).
Governance is not restricted just to the role of government but also involves other
parties such as the private sector (Davies 2005) and civil society (Mayer and Knox
2010). It is part of the role of these three parties to help communities develop assetbased adaptation strategies to respond to mining impacts. Mostly, it is their responsibility to assist communities to meet their wellbeing needs and improve their living
conditions. Lessons can be learnt from the Risaralda case. Approaches need to be
further developed according to community expectations and needs. This bottom-up
(community-focused) rather than top-down (mining-focused) approach to community wellbeing is already having significant effects in many of Risaralda’s communities and equipping them with more resilient assets, helping them to realise their
13 SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
Mining will eventually affect the livelihood of farmers, agricultural labourers
and other rural workers whose jobs currently depend on agriculture. Farmers are
choosing mining over agriculture which might displace traditional livelihood
options in the long-term. However, it is mainly due to active community participation, broader understanding of community wellbeing as an approach to development and good governance that stakeholders are becoming more successful in
gaining traction in delivering development outcomes. Active participation in
decision- making has also helped some communities to proactively request initiatives intended to positively transform their assets and help cope with potential mining impacts. Collective decision-making and consensus are key drivers for an
integrated approach (Maalouf 2014) to wellbeing. This approach has also helped
many communities achieve their development goals and realise their entrepreneurial potential. It has also helped companies to produce in a more responsible manner.
A community member remarked:
Locals have a strong sense of community organisation. They own agriculture-based community associations that stimulate the local economy and foster employment. For example,
they own associations for blackberry and coffee production and commercialisation.
(Table 13.3, Row 3)
Based on Risaralda’s community aspirations and expectations, corporations and
governments have embarked on social responsibility agendas in which entrepreneurship is a key component. This has had positive impacts on locals, as these initiatives are more in tune with local circumstances. Generally, entrepreneurship is itself
perceived as an approach to development by stakeholders involved. Community
consultation in relation to needs and expectations is highly appreciated in the development of these initiatives, resulting in immediate benefits for locals. For example,
local coffee and jewellery producers, as well as women leaders, have already experienced the benefits of these initiatives: “We have trained in jewellery design … the
company has also provided us with some financial assistance to attend international
fairs so that we can promote and sell our products” (Community Members,
Interview, October, 2012). Evidence shows that if allocated effectively, financial aid
can transform livelihoods positively (Akudugu 2011).
There is a close relationship between good governance and the effectiveness of
these initiatives. Collaboration for entrepreneurship amongst stakeholders has been
a driver to enhance resilient and developed community assets (Missens et al. 2007).
Governance is not restricted just to the role of government but also involves other
parties such as the private sector (Davies 2005) and civil society (Mayer and Knox
2010). It is part of the role of these three parties to help communities develop assetbased adaptation strategies to respond to mining impacts. Mostly, it is their responsibility to assist communities to meet their wellbeing needs and improve their living
conditions. Lessons can be learnt from the Risaralda case. Approaches need to be
further developed according to community expectations and needs. This bottom-up
(community-focused) rather than top-down (mining-focused) approach to community wellbeing is already having significant effects in many of Risaralda’s communities and equipping them with more resilient assets, helping them to realise their
13 SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production