Creating shared value through policies and operating practices enhances the competitiveness of a company while simultaneously advancing the economic and social conditions in the communities in which it operates.

By creating opportunities for employment and education through local content objectives, oil and gas companies can enable projects to benefit from a local workforce while making the organisation a valued part of the community. Ipieca members take a strategic approach to local content efforts in recognition of the wider business benefits of creating and sharing value between themselves, local communities and countries.

Social investment programmes are described as the voluntary and/or regulatory contributions companies make to the communities and broader societies where they operate, with the objective of mutually benefiting external stakeholders and the company. Ipieca members implement social and community investment programmes in areas where they operate, with the aim of establishing and maintaining good relationships with local, regional and national stakeholders, and to enhance the company’s social impact.

Member progress

74% of members
Have implemented local content plans*
150 countries and 1.1 million people
Ipieca’s corporate and associate membership operates in 150 countries and employs 1.1 million people globally*

Examples of member action

  • Local content efforts in Guyana
    Map-pinGuyana

    ExxonMobil Guyana adopts a multi-tiered approach to fostering local talent and economic growth, focusing on workforce development, supplier engagement, and strategic community investment. The company’s local content initiatives aim to build a globally competitive workforce and supply chain while supporting the development of human, social, and economic capacity in Guyana.

    ExxonMobil Guyana’s workforce strategy in the region is focused on two components: the recruitment and development of Guyanese personnel who can play a role in local operations and the continued development of a global pool of talent capable of meeting future business needs. The company applies proven training curriculums, industry best practices, and leading technology to support local workforce development.

    Supplier development is another key component of ExxonMobil Guyana’s local content strategy. The Centre for Local Business Development (the 'Centre'), established in 2017 by the Stabroek Block co-venturers, plays a central role in providing training, mentorship, and business opportunities to small and medium-sized enterprises.

    The Centre launched an entrepreneurship programme called 'Elevate All: The Manufacturing Edition', to help local professionals to build out their business framework, map their growth paths and identify opportunities for business development. Participants were offered mentorship and the opportunity to promote their products and services to banks and potential customers.

    Also in the region, the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women (CBFW) trains women in Guyana and Nigeria to build successful businesses with funding from the ExxonMobil Foundation. CBFW works with a local partner to implement in-person and digital trainings to provide the knowledge and skills needed to support women entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses. The Road to Growth programme has helped more than 3,000 women across both countries strengthen their skills and grow their businesses.

    Through these initiatives, ExxonMobil and its affiliates continue to contribute to socioeconomic development in regions around the world.

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  • Environmental education in Cyprus
    Map-pinCyprus

    Chevron is actively supporting environmental education in Cyprus through its contributions to the AKTI Project and Research Centre, a nonprofit, nongovernmental organisation. The organisation operates the 'Tiganokinisi Caravan', a mobile information and education centre that travels to schools and rural communities across Cyprus to promote circular bioeconomics.

    One of the primary goals of the Tiganokinisi Caravan is to demonstrate the process of transforming used cooking oil into biodiesel. The caravan’s scientific demonstrations educate students and communities about the benefits of recycling and sustainability. Schools that participate in the programme are encouraged to collect and recycle used oil from their local areas. The funds generated from the sale of this recycled oil are then returned to the schools, supporting various school programmes and fostering a sense of responsibility and environmental stewardship among the students.

    In 2023, Chevron’s sponsorship helped fund essential supplies, operating expenses, and the purchase of a vehicle to tow the caravan, ensuring its continued mobility and outreach. This contribution directly supported the continuation and expansion of the programme, which reaches a wide array of communities, particularly in rural areas.

    In recognition of its impactful sponsorship, Chevron was honoured with an award from the Pan Cyprian Volunteerism Coordinative Council. This award highlights Chevron’s ongoing commitment to promoting sustainability and environmental education within Cyprus communities, particularly through innovative initiatives like the Tiganokinisi Caravan.

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  • Kosmos Innovation Centre in Senegal
    Map-pinSenegal

    The Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) has been a key player in fostering entrepreneurship among young Senegalese since 2018. Its mission is to help entrepreneurs realise their potential by providing training, mentorship, and funding opportunities. KIC Senegal focuses on empowering youth, especially women under 35 who aspire to contribute to Senegal’s economic growth.

    In 2024, KIC Senegal launched three new programmes to support economic progress. These programmes encourage the growth of businesses that contribute to the local ecosystem, with more than ten startups receiving funding in 2024.

    Suxëtt Entrepreneuriat is designed to help entrepreneurs create scalable businesses that tackle local challenges. The programme supported 15 early-stage startups with comprehensive business strategy training, mentorship, and a pitch competition, followed by 1:1 coaching for selected winners.

    Sama Xalaat Sama Project offers intensive training in market research and financial management to help transform ideas into viable businesses, culminating with a Demo Day wherein seed money is awarded to finalists. 15 Saint Louis entrepreneurs were supported in the inaugural cohort

    Lastly, Door Entrepreneuriat is a two-day boot camp on the essentials of entrepreneurship. In 2024, over 100 attendees participated in practical workshops on ideation, market research, and business planning to help them better navigate the entrepreneurial landscape.

    Sama and Door are open specifically to residents in the Saint Louis community.

    KIC’s approach continues to inspire young Senegalese entrepreneurs, nurturing their dreams and enabling them to make impactful contributions to the country’s development.

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  • Leaders de demain programme
    Map-pinGabon

    Assala’s Leaders de demain programme, launched in 2022, aims to develop skills and competencies in local communities to support socioeconomic development. With an investment of more than USD 500,000, the year-long programme provides young people local to Assala’s operations with both practical experience and specialised training. The initiative immerses participants in Assala’s business through hands-on learning on-site and theoretical expertise gained through external training centres.

    In the first edition of the programme, over 170 young people, recommended by employers, Assala suppliers, and local Chefs de village, undertook written exercises, practical assessments, and individual interviews. After this rigorous selection process, 29 candidates (18 men, 11 women) were selected to complete internships in various departments, including HSSE, Maintenance, Production, and Supply Chain.

    By 2023, the 29 candidates from the first edition successfully completed the programme. As a result, 12 were hired by Assala for six-month rotational contracts at production sites, while five others secured positions with Assala’s suppliers. The second edition of the programme in 2023 attracted over 300 applications, with 30 candidates selected from local areas around Assala’s Gamba, Rabi, Toucan, and Koula operational sites. These participants are now engaged in internships in the HSSE, Maintenance, Production, Supply Chain, and Logistics departments.

    The Leaders de demain programme continues to provide local youth with valuable skills, creating a sustainable and skilled workforce for the future.

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  • Enabling high-impact sustainability projects through capital allocation programme
    Map-pinGlobal

    Capital allocation plays an important role in helping SLB meet its sustainability commitments and drive in-country value through community and business investment. One of SLB’s primary vehicles for this is its global annual Sustainability Impact Awards programme.

    The programme allocates capital to local teams around the world, to design, select and deliver high-impact, innovative, scalable and replicable sustainability projects. Through the programme, projects are championed that have a sustainable impact in SLB’s operations and facilities, and in local communities—now and in the future.

    To prioritise areas of investment at a local level, the company developed a digital sustainability impact platform to support the complex task of quantifying the impacts and demonstrating the value of applications to the programme. In 2023, 51 high impact sustainability projects were executed in one or more of SLB’s climate action, people and nature sustainability priorities.

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  • Enhancing literacy – collaboration with ARROW Foundation
    Map-pinTrinidad, Tobago

    Woodside collaborates with the ARROW Foundation and the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Education to enhance literacy among primary school students in north-east Trinidad. This initiative has supported over 350 students from 13 schools, helping them develop stronger reading and writing skills while boosting confidence and focus.

    Now in its fourth year, the programme has demonstrated significant success, with several students showcasing growth equivalent to nearly three years’ worth of progress in reading and spelling within the year-long program. The partnership ensures that each student receives individualised support, allowing them to unlock their full potential.

    In 2025, the programme aims to expand by holding a Literacy Day event to engage students and continue fostering educational development in the community.

    Learn more

  • Supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in Ghana
    Map-pinGhana

    Enterprise development is fundamental to supporting the ability of populations in host countries to maintain sustainable livelihoods.

    Tullow Oil has two core areas of focus:

    1. To assist local enterprises to gain the skills and opportunities to develop and grow their income
    2. To enhance their access to finance

    These aims are aligned with Tullow Oil's Shared Prosperity objectives and are an essential element of creating positive impact in its host countries.

    In Ghana, together with its Joint Venture (JV) partners, Tullow Oil continues to support micro, small and medium sized enterprises through the Fisherman's Anchor project which enables beneficiaries, dependent upon the fishing industry, to access finance to develop additional sources of revenue. Since 2019, over 1,000 small businesses and individuals have received training and business development support.

    Learn more

  • Creating opportunity through community-built solar-powered water wells
    Map-pinEquatorial Guinea

    Building solar water wells continues to be one of Trident Energy's initiatives with the greatest positive impact in Equatorial Guinea.

    Powered by solar energy through photovoltaic panels, the wells provide access to clean drinking water for thousands of people in rural communities. In addition, the training provided to the locals to maintain and own the water wells has enabled knowledge transfer and capacity building.

    Committed to social investments that create real opportunities for local people, Trident Energy, through a local vendor, also involves the communities in the construction of the wells' infrastructure.

    Learn more

View the Ipieca Principles toolkit and Ipieca-WBCSD SDG Roadmap for more suggested actions, useful resources and reference points.

*Stats based on desktop research conducted on member companies July- September 2024.

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