In 2023, scholars introduced a robust, practice-oriented framework designed to guide organizations through the stages of earning and sustaining their social license to operate (SLO). Moving beyond basic engagement checklists, the framework outlines a lifecycle model in which companies must first build legitimacy by actively understanding community values, presenting transparent objectives, and demonstrating technical competence. Following this, they must earn trust, achieved through consistent delivery, visible performance, and open dialogue. The framework emphasizes adaptability—continued legitimacy requires organizations to monitor sentiment and evolve in response to changing expectations and emerging concerns.
A central pillar of the framework is the integration of meaningful community participation at every stage. It advances structured methods such as stakeholder mapping, participatory risk assessment, and co-design workshops that actively involve community voices in shaping project outcomes—from environmental protections to benefit-sharing mechanisms. Rather than passive interaction, the model encourages joint governance structures like advisory committees or co-management bodies, which foster shared responsibility and co-ownership. These mechanisms ensure that the social license is not transient or symbolic but rooted in genuine institutional relationships and inclusive decision making.
The third dimension of the model underscores long-term accountability and renewal processes. Social license is not a static achievement; it requires continuous attention to delivery fidelity, structured grievance resolution, and performance reporting. The framework recommends periodic “revalidation” checks—such as community audits, public scorecard releases, and inclusive reviews—that invite stakeholders to assess whether commitments are being met. This approach transforms SLO from a one-time threshold into an ongoing, dynamic contract between companies, regulators, and communities. The result is a mature form of resource and infrastructure governance—one that blends technical permitting with enduring social legitimacy.