BE HEARD

CONSERVATION AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Our social principles and policies guide our work. In recognizing human rights as central to achieving effective and equitable conservation and development outcomes, WWF is strongly committed to respecting human rights and to promoting rights within the scope of conservation initiatives. WWF commits to adopting a human rights approach to development while respecting the fundamental value of good governance, human rights, and equitable and engaged civil society in achieving environmental sustainability and effective conservation outcomes. 

WWF is a founding member of the Conservation and Human Rights Initiative and signed the Conservation and Human Rights Framework in 2009.

The Conservation Initiative on Human Rights (CIHR) is a consortium of international conservation organizations that seek to improve the practice of conservation by promoting the integration of human rights in conservation policy and practice. Learn more about the WWF Conservation Initiative on Human Rights Framework here.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SAFEGUARDS

Safeguards are an important tool to allow WWF to manage environmental and social risks in the field, deliver better outcomes, and contribute to the social well-being of local communities where WWF operates. Read them on this page.

PROJECT COMPLAINTS

Any adverse effect on a person or group within a community as a result of a failure on the part of WWF-Philippines or its implementing partner to adhere to its social policies and safeguards in the design or implementation of a project activity is referred to as a "project complaint." WWF provides a global reporting channel through its WhistleB and a WWF-Philippines grievance resolution mechanism stated below. 

GRIEVANCE RESOLUTION PROCESS

This process is designed to receive and effectively respond to concerns raised by stakeholders, which may include but are not limited to, Indigenous People, local communities, vulnerable groups or marginalized communities, who may be affected or adversely impacted by WWF-supported conservation activities. Addressing complaints in a timely and effective way helps resolve conflicts, improves mutual understanding, strengthens accountability, and provides a foundation for increased collaboration.

Eligibility: Who can make a complaint? 

 

Any community or group (at least two or more people) that believes it is or may be negatively affected by a failure on the part of WWF-Philippines to follow its policies and safeguards in the design or implementation of a WWF-Philippines project may file a complaint. Representatives filing a complaint on behalf of a group or community must provide concrete evidence of authority to represent them. Because this project complaints process is oriented towards direct dialogue and engagement among all parties, anonymous complaints will not be considered. However, complainants can request confidentiality.

Complaint Filing Process 

 

Complaints should be directed to WWF-Philippines by email to projectcomplaint@wwf.org.ph or delivered by post to the address below:

Project Complaints
WWF-Philippines
4th Floor, JBD Plaza,
No. 65 Mindanao Avenue,
Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City
Philippines 1105

The complaint should include the following information: 

  • Complainant’s name and contact information 
  • If not filed directly by the complainant, proof that those representing the affected people have authority to do so 
  • The specific project or program of concern (including province or region)
  • The harm that is or may be resulting from the project 
  • Any other relevant information or documents (e.g. date of event) 
  • Any actions taken so far to resolve the problem, including contact with WWF 
  • Proposed solutions 
  • Whether confidentiality is requested (stating reasons)

Complaints can be submitted in the community/groups’ native language.

Complaint Review Process 

 

Once a complaint is submitted, WWF-Philippines will acknowledge receipt and – within 10 business days – assess the eligibility of the complaint and provide a response as to whether or not it is eligible, in accordance with the above criteria. The source of the complaint is treated with confidentiality unless this is waived. 

If the complaint is eligible, WWF-Philippines will notify the project team of the concerned project or program and request that they provide a response. The said project team will provide a response within 10 business days with information on how it plans to look into the complaint and a timeframe for this process. WWF-Philippines will communicate this information to the community or group who filed the complaint. The concerned project or program will then look into the matter, with technical support as needed, for example through investigation of the issues raised and dialogue with the complainant (unless confidentiality is requested) and other concerned parties. Based on the results, the project or program will work with concerned parties to develop an action plan and timeframe of steps required to resolve any issues identified. A summary of the concerns raised, actions taken, conclusions reached, follow-up plan, and timeframe for completion will be documented and communicated as agreed between the parties, and provided to the WWF-Philippines. (If confidentiality has been requested, WWF-Philippines will then communicate the response to the complainant.) WWF-Philippines will facilitate support to further clarify, assess, and resolve issues raised as needed, including if appropriate, engaging input from external consultants/experts. 

Monitoring 

 

Agreed action plans should establish timeframes for regular process monitoring toward the resolution of the complaint. WWF-Philippines will coordinate the monitoring by organizing periodic checks – bringing together the concerned parties and relevant technical advisors for calls, meetings, or other communication on the status of action plans until they are completed. WWF-Philippines will also assess the effectiveness of this complaints resolution process on an annual basis, and identify any need for improvement. 

Non-retaliation

 

WWF-Philippines strongly disapproves of and will not tolerate any form of retaliation against those who report concerns in good faith. Any WWF-Philippines employee who engages in such retaliation will be subject to disciplinary action, which may include termination. WWF-Philippines will take all feasible actions to protect reporters against retaliation. Anyone who has made a report of suspicious conduct of a WWF employee and who subsequently believes he or she has been subjected to retaliation of any kind should immediately report it by the same channels as noted herein.