Feedback
The conservation sector carries inherent risks and has impacts on society, livelihoods, and ecosystems. As part of our commitment to achieving the highest social and environmental standards, the Natural Selection Group has safeguards in place to mitigate these risks and impacts. For the purpose of this feedback mechanism, The Natural Selection Group consists of Natural Selection (Pty) Ltd., NS Moremi, The Natural Selection Conservation Trust, The Natural Selection Foundation, Uncharted Africa (Pty) Ltd. and Khwai Private Reserve (Hanaven (Pty) Ltd., who collectively believe in a rights-based approach to conservation, and accountability is an integral part of this approach.
This grievance and feedback mechanism is one safeguard designed to provide parties affected by the Natural Selection Group’s funded conservation and community programs and activities, with the assurance that their grievances and concerns will be heard, considered, and addressed in a timely and consistent manner. Stakeholders, communities, and individuals who have, or could be harmed by the Group’s conservation and community outreach activities can use this mechanism to submit complaints to Natural Selection (Pty) Ltd. to address their concerns.
Grievance Guidelines
What is a grievance?
A grievance is a complaint about conservation and community outreach activities and programs funded and/or carried out by the Natural Selection Group that affects or could affect you negatively. Questions, requests, and feedback may also be treated as grievances.
Grievance escalations are arranged at two levels:
- Natural Selection Pty Ltd. site-specific grievances should primarily be submitted to the respective program level grievance mechanism: to either the outreach manager of the programme in question, or a senior member of staff at the nearest related NS Group office or lodge.
- Grievances and/or feedback that don’t concern a specific site of the Natural Selection Group or if the impartiality of the program-level mechanism might be jeopardised, or due to other justified reasons, can be submitted to this institutional grievance and feedback mechanism.
Who can report a grievance ?
Any person or group who believes they may be negatively affected by conservation and community outreach activities and programs funded and/or implemented by any entity of the Natural Selection Group can report a grievance.
This includes local communities, indigenous peoples, organisations, stakeholders, individuals, third parties, or any official and/or recognised representative of these groups or people. Complainants may request confidentiality or anonymity.
What will happen when I report a grievance?
After submitting a grievance, you will receive a confirmation receipt within a maximum of five working days. Grievances related to serious incidents are prioritised.
Grievances will be reviewed for eligibility by the Grievances Officer and eligible complaints will be assessed by the Grievances Officer who may involve the Grievances Committee.
A solution to the complaint will be developed and proposed to the involved parties and a written response to the complainant will be issued within 30 working days. Please note that cases requiring additional assessment or engagement with the involved parties may take longer. Updates about the status of the process will be communicated through the preferred contact method stated in the Grievance Form.
Anonymity and Non-Retaliation
The Natural Selection Group disapproves of and will not tolerate any form of retaliation against any person who submits complaints or feedback in good faith.
There will be no recriminations against those who submit grievances, and victimizing or deterring someone from reporting concerns will be treated as a disciplinary matter.
However, if you would like to submit an anonymous complaint, you may complete the Grievance Form and omit your personal information. Please note that complaints received anonymously may have limited possibilities for resolution.
How can I report a grievance or feedback?
To file a grievance, please contact us through one of the following channels:
Written grievances can be submitted in English by filling out the Grievances Form provided below.
Please note that site-specific grievances should primarily be submitted to the respective Natural Selection Group program level grievance mechanisms.