Land acquisition and Community Development

Protecting and enhancing livelihoods

There are legitimate concerns about the impact of the proposed project on the livelihood of landowners, land users and the local community.

Our team, made up of skilled professionals and caring individuals – many of them originating from the local community – are committed to addressing those concerns through mitigating impacts, creating social and economic opportunities, and fair compensation. A number of initiatives and programmes including livelihood restoration, community and economic development, have been launched and will be expanded in the future to continue to address concerns.

The Land Acquisition Programme

We are completing the land acquisition process for negotiations that began before the project licences were cancelled in January 2022. We have not undertaken any activities relating to new land acquisitions since the cancellation of our project licences.

The land acquisition programme is implemented in line with the laws of the Republic of Serbia and best global practice, as well as with the Performance Standard 5 of the International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group) and our internal company standards.

Since the beginning of the voluntary land acquisition programme, an extensive process of consultation and engagement has been implemented through face-to-face meetings and through community information days. The goal is for landowners to have the same or better quality of life and work after they move.

We have a dedicated team committed to this goal, including many subject-matter experts, such as:

• Real estate appraiser;
• Legal experts to provide legal assistance to the landowners;
• Consultants who help us understand any possible social and economic impacts of land acquisition, and also the ways in which we can support the landowners.

Our land acquisition programme is implemented through agreements with landowners, respecting their personal and cultural attachment to the land and the local community.

The method used to calculate compensation is in line with standards set by the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) and is explained in detail in the Land Acquisition Guide which has been submitted to all interested landowners.

More information about the IFC standards can be found here: www.ifc.org/ps5.

Compensation provided to landowners includes:

• Compensation for the land and all property on the land such as trees and crops, calculated by certified Compensation for the facilities, such as residential buildings and agricultural infrastructure.;
• Additional compensation for the costs of moving home for the landowners who will need to move;
• Additional compensation for the landowners who need to move in a short period of time;
• Taxes for the transfer of property, transaction costs, such as notary public fees and fees for the registration in the Land Registry.

Compensation values are calculated by certified land and asset valuers with Serbian and international experience, which is favourable for the landowners.

Jadar Project Land Acquisition Process

The progress of the Jadar Project involves the acquisition of land, a process that we are committed to executing transparently and fairly. Our approach aligns with the legal framework of the Republic of Serbia, global best practices, Performance Standard 5 of the International Financial Corporation (World Bank Group), and our internal company standards.

Our primary objective in land acquisition is to ensure mutual benefits for both parties involved, with the aim of maintaining or improving the quality of life and work for the landowners compared to their previous life circumstances.

The decision of landowners to sell their properties to our company was based on comprehensive information, without any coercion or threats, and through transparent communication.

During the preceding land acquisition phase, we conducted extensive and transparent consultations, engaging with over 83% of all landowners within the project scope. Direct conversations were held with 280 landowners to incorporate their expectations, suggestions and requirements into our purchase proposal. Drawing from this feedback, we formulated a Proposal for purchase of property in the Brezjak area, which was distributed to all landowners.

To uphold a transparent public dialogue, we are sharing this document, along with the corresponding written communications to landowners, with all interested parties.

• Proposal for purchase of property in the Brezjak area
• Letter to the landowners

Livelihood restoration programme

We are committed to restoring the livelihoods of all landowners and land users impacted by the land acquisition process. The livelihood restoration programme is accessible to those who receive income from the land. The programme aims to support affected landowners and land users by maintaining the same or establishing a better quality of life than before the land acquisition process.