This Primer provides practical guidance for companies on how to design, implement, manage, and monitor a company-based grievance mechanism. It is divided into the three main sections and associated steps:

• how to design and implement a company-based grievance mechanism,

• how to create procedures for receiving, investigating, and responding to complaints, and

• how to create procedures for monitoring and evaluating the grievance mechanism.

This primer provides guidance for companies who seek to ensure that risks for project-affected communities are minimised, especially for women, who can be more vulnerable than men when it comes to land tenure. It provides step by step requirements to ensure that women as well as men are aware of and benefit from a proposed land transaction. For each step, the primer includes a checklist of questions to help guide the work and a list of resources where more detailed information can be found.

This guide is directed at governments and companies seeking information on implementing FPIC principles in investment operations to safeguard the land rights of project-affected communities. It describes the key elements of FPIC, details steps that need to take place to ensure compliance with FPIC and lists additional resources that business enterprises can consult for further guidance on how to adhere to the principles of FPIC.