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Local development: a priority for Eni

African doctor looks through microscope

Our approach to local development

We promote Development Programmes and access to energy initiatives for the communities in the areas that host our activities. Ensuring access to energy means addressing the basic needs of communities and supporting global human development by promoting the wider enjoyment of rights such as the right to food, health, water and education, as well as supporting local businesses and creating employment opportunities.

We also support initiatives to diversify economies, protect the environment and provide vocational training to create new job opportunities. Our distinctive 'Dual Flag' approach is based on respecting the individual, understanding local needs and forging lasting partnerships with national and international bodies, resulting in the Alliances for Development.

Initiatives to prevent and combat gender-based violence

We support community-based initiatives to prevent gender-based violence, create income opportunities, access to educational and productive activities by supporting women's economic independence.

Since 2020, Eni has been a member of the United Nations campaign against violence against women and girls "16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence". In line with the theme "Investing in Prevention", we carry out initiatives for the prevention of violence against women in local communities.

Our local development projects around the world

Through local development projects, we want to contribute to the socioeconomic growth of the communities in which we are present. By involving people, we seek to generate positive and lasting change within communities. Our projects are designed and implemented using a participatory approach that integrates relevant cross-cutting issues, such as gender, using tools and methodologies that meet international standards. In 2024, 89 cooperation agreements were active, of which 17 socioeconomic and 4 health agreements were signed during the year.

Our collaborations by area of intervention

Our initiatives protect the right to health, promote social and health development, and strengthen health systems in host countries. In 2024, collaborations with local health authorities, civil society organisations, hospitals and leading scientific partners focused on primary health care, maternal and child health and infectious and non-communicable diseases, nutrition, maternal and child health, and the sanitary conditions of health facilities and the population.

Some of our main activities focus on:

  • training of health personnel
  • health infrastructure interventions
  • awareness campaigns for populations and extraordinary support in the event of emergencies, disasters or pandemics.

In 2024, 30 agreements were active, including four new ones signed during the year, with:      

  • local institutions, such as the Makueni County Governorate in Kenya for the improvement of basic health services, and in Italy Azienda USL Toscana Nord Ovest, for the experimentation of new technologies aiming at the digitisation of diagnostic-therapeutic-assistance pathways in a logic of environmental sustainability for the protection of citizens' health
  • civil society organisations, such as in Côte d'Ivoire with Doctors with Africa Cuamm and the International Rescue Committee to strengthen primary health care services, and in Mozambique with AISPO to strengthen health facilities, with Sant'Egidio and Helpcode for women's health prevention and maternal health
  • hospital institutions, such as the IRCCS Policlinico San Donato for the construction of the medical training centre in Port Said, Egypt.

In addition, in 2024, Eni also carried out health system upgrades in Italy, with the aim of contributing to the strengthening and resilience of local facilities in Gela, Milan and Pavia.

Our aim is to ensure that people in the communities where we operate have access to quality, effective, inclusive and long-term education. Some of our main initiatives, implemented in partnership with local authorities, international organisations and with the involvement of civil society groups, include:

  • training for teachers, school staff and headteachers to enhance professional and transferable skills
  • parental involvement in awareness activities on various topics such as child protection, education, sports, the environment, nutrition, health, hygiene, and equal opportunities
  • the renovation or construction of school buildings and the refurbishment of educational facilities
  • the handing out of school supplies and student kits
  • awareness campaigns to encourage school attendance
  • supporting educational programmes for young students, including workshops, scholarships, courses and vocational training programmes aimed at developing skills and knowledge in the energy and natural resources sector.

In 2024, there were 6 active Education agreements, including 2 new ones signed with UNESCO in Iraq and with the Eurasian National University (ENU) in Kazakhstan.

Our aim is to help local communities access clean and safe water and sanitation services to improve living conditions and public health, particularly in areas where access to clean water is limited or unavailable.

Activities in this area may include:

  • drilling wells
  • installing water treatment systems
  • upgrading water networks and improving distribution
  • providing sanitation facilities
  • implementing hygiene education programmes and initiatives in schools and communities.

We contribute to the conservation and protection of the local natural heritage by supporting ecosystem restoration projects and the conservation and rehabilitation of aquatic ecosystems.

 

The initiatives also include activities such as:

  • waste management support for communities
  • waste disposal site rehabilitation
  • remediation to restore native vegetation
  • tree replanting
  • biodiversity conservation
  • awareness-raising campaigns on the risks of oil spill pollution and the importance of biodiversity protection.

In 2024 Eni continued the collaboration started with UNESCO in Mexico in 2023 by signing a second agreement to implement a comprehensive water security plan for the Mezcalapa-Samaria sub-basin in the state of Tabasco to deal with frequent flooding.

Projects in this area aim to achieve food security, business development, agriculture and fishing, infrastructure development, the creation of new job opportunities, the empowerment of women and young people, and economic promotion and growth. 

Examples of these initiatives include:

  • micro-entrepreneurship and job placement projects
  • projects for employment and self-support, such as sustainable agriculture, responsible tourism, local handicrafts, production of goods and services
  • entrepreneurship training programmes
  • mentoring and consultancy for small businesses and start-ups
  • vocational training on renewable energy
  • environmental management.

There were eight partnerships active in 2024, of which one new partnership with UNESCO in Mexico to support coastal communities in the municipality of Cárdenas, helping them to improve their ability to protect cultural and natural capital while also promoting sustainable tourism. 

Activities in this area aim to provide access to energy to communities and areas where it is currently limited or non-existent. Some projects focus on reducing the use of non-renewable energy sources, mitigating the effects of climate change, and providing energy for agriculture, the production of local goods and services and the development of small businesses.

Some of our main activities involve:

  • developing small-scale energy distribution systems in rural areas
  • supply and installation of electrical components
  • construction of transmission lines and connection to the national grid
  • support in accessing improved, certified and quality cooking systems
  • awareness-raising activities in local communities on energy efficiency, energy saving and renewable energy sources
  • installation of photovoltaic panels
  • installation of more efficient energy systems.

Our collaborations by area of intervention

Our initiatives protect the right to health, promote social and health development, and strengthen health systems in host countries. In 2024, collaborations with local health authorities, civil society organisations, hospitals and leading scientific partners focused on primary health care, maternal and child health and infectious and non-communicable diseases, nutrition, maternal and child health, and the sanitary conditions of health facilities and the population.

Some of our main activities focus on:

  • training of health personnel
  • health infrastructure interventions
  • awareness campaigns for populations and extraordinary support in the event of emergencies, disasters or pandemics.

In 2024, 30 agreements were active, including four new ones signed during the year, with:      

  • local institutions, such as the Makueni County Governorate in Kenya for the improvement of basic health services, and in Italy Azienda USL Toscana Nord Ovest, for the experimentation of new technologies aiming at the digitisation of diagnostic-therapeutic-assistance pathways in a logic of environmental sustainability for the protection of citizens' health
  • civil society organisations, such as in Côte d'Ivoire with Doctors with Africa Cuamm and the International Rescue Committee to strengthen primary health care services, and in Mozambique with AISPO to strengthen health facilities, with Sant'Egidio and Helpcode for women's health prevention and maternal health
  • hospital institutions, such as the IRCCS Policlinico San Donato for the construction of the medical training centre in Port Said, Egypt.

In addition, in 2024, Eni also carried out health system upgrades in Italy, with the aim of contributing to the strengthening and resilience of local facilities in Gela, Milan and Pavia.

Our aim is to ensure that people in the communities where we operate have access to quality, effective, inclusive and long-term education. Some of our main initiatives, implemented in partnership with local authorities, international organisations and with the involvement of civil society groups, include:

  • training for teachers, school staff and headteachers to enhance professional and transferable skills
  • parental involvement in awareness activities on various topics such as child protection, education, sports, the environment, nutrition, health, hygiene, and equal opportunities
  • the renovation or construction of school buildings and the refurbishment of educational facilities
  • the handing out of school supplies and student kits
  • awareness campaigns to encourage school attendance
  • supporting educational programmes for young students, including workshops, scholarships, courses and vocational training programmes aimed at developing skills and knowledge in the energy and natural resources sector.

In 2024, there were 6 active Education agreements, including 2 new ones signed with UNESCO in Iraq and with the Eurasian National University (ENU) in Kazakhstan.

Our aim is to help local communities access clean and safe water and sanitation services to improve living conditions and public health, particularly in areas where access to clean water is limited or unavailable.

Activities in this area may include:

  • drilling wells
  • installing water treatment systems
  • upgrading water networks and improving distribution
  • providing sanitation facilities
  • implementing hygiene education programmes and initiatives in schools and communities.

We contribute to the conservation and protection of the local natural heritage by supporting ecosystem restoration projects and the conservation and rehabilitation of aquatic ecosystems.

 

The initiatives also include activities such as:

  • waste management support for communities
  • waste disposal site rehabilitation
  • remediation to restore native vegetation
  • tree replanting
  • biodiversity conservation
  • awareness-raising campaigns on the risks of oil spill pollution and the importance of biodiversity protection.

In 2024 Eni continued the collaboration started with UNESCO in Mexico in 2023 by signing a second agreement to implement a comprehensive water security plan for the Mezcalapa-Samaria sub-basin in the state of Tabasco to deal with frequent flooding.

Projects in this area aim to achieve food security, business development, agriculture and fishing, infrastructure development, the creation of new job opportunities, the empowerment of women and young people, and economic promotion and growth. 

Examples of these initiatives include:

  • micro-entrepreneurship and job placement projects
  • projects for employment and self-support, such as sustainable agriculture, responsible tourism, local handicrafts, production of goods and services
  • entrepreneurship training programmes
  • mentoring and consultancy for small businesses and start-ups
  • vocational training on renewable energy
  • environmental management.

There were eight partnerships active in 2024, of which one new partnership with UNESCO in Mexico to support coastal communities in the municipality of Cárdenas, helping them to improve their ability to protect cultural and natural capital while also promoting sustainable tourism. 

Activities in this area aim to provide access to energy to communities and areas where it is currently limited or non-existent. Some projects focus on reducing the use of non-renewable energy sources, mitigating the effects of climate change, and providing energy for agriculture, the production of local goods and services and the development of small businesses.

Some of our main activities involve:

  • developing small-scale energy distribution systems in rural areas
  • supply and installation of electrical components
  • construction of transmission lines and connection to the national grid
  • support in accessing improved, certified and quality cooking systems
  • awareness-raising activities in local communities on energy efficiency, energy saving and renewable energy sources
  • installation of photovoltaic panels
  • installation of more efficient energy systems.

Local development projects around the world

Local Development Programmes in Cooperation with Countries

Together with governments, we define Local Development Programmes in line with the UN 2030 Agenda and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) based on five lines of action.

Business-integrated sustainability

Our presence in local communities follows a five-step approach.

Knowledge of the country's socio-economic, environmental and cultural contexts through the application of internationally recognised tools, also applied at sub-national level, such as the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (Global MPI - Multidimensional Poverty Index) or the Country profiles on Sustainable Development Goals (defined by SDSN). We are committed to ensuring that our activities do not have a negative impact on the lives of the people affected by our operations, through a risk-based model that classifies business projects and by conducting environmental, social and health impact assessments in accordance with international standards, incorporating local standards where necessary.

An ongoing and reciprocal relationship with those directly or indirectly affected allows for an analysis of their needs and/or the management and monitoring of any complaints, understand local needs and consolidate mutual trust.

Monitoring activities to identify issues, opportunities, and risks from a socio-economic and environmental standpoint (including the respect and promotion of human rights), through the use of impact assessment tools (ESHIA), or specific studies, such as Human Rights Impact Assessment. Assessing potential direct and indirect impacts and implementing any necessary mitigation measures.

The analysis of local needs, the definition and implementation of local development programmes (LDPs) consistent with Country Development Plans, local needs analysis, Agenda 2030 and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

 

We manage the evaluation and measurement of local development through the use of tools and methodologies:

  • which are our own, and are developed in cooperation with academic institutes such as the Eni Local Content Evaluation (ELCE)
  • which are shared internationally and adopted by Eni, such as the Logical Framework Approach (LFA), the results-based management approach and project cycle management.

In addition, we have adopted the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning management tool to monitor, evaluate and, if necessary, redesign   projects, risks or other aspects in order to maximise benefits for communities.

The numerous collaborations with institutions, cooperation agencies and local stakeholders enable a useful approach, to identify key interventions to be implemented in the area.

The Mattei Formula, development starts with cooperation

The strategy developed by Enrico Mattei promotes collaboration with the territories in which we operate to foster sustainable development and meet the needs of communities.

Accessible energy

We support a transition that gives everyone access to reliable and sustainable energy through secure supplies of sources and the use of technologies that support the decarbonization process.

Woman looking at the horizon with sunlight in her hands

Eni for 2024. Check out our interactive feature

Read the stories, case studies and testimonials behind our contribution to a socially equitable energy transition in the Sustainability Report.



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