At Rifeline, our work is driven by our desire to make communities better through projects that benefit the public good.
We also believe that communities make projects better.
How We Work
Our goal with every communication and outreach effort is to build community trust — a process that takes time, intention, and consistency.
From the beginning of each project, we identify and seek to understand the perspectives of potential stakeholders. Then, we offer them a meaningful seat at the table. This early research, paired with ongoing two-way communication between project teams and stakeholders, is key to building relationships, earning community buy-in, and building informed consent.
We design tailored public engagement strategies using a mix of traditional outreach, grassroots efforts, and targeted grasstops engagement — all aligned with the specific needs of the project and its stakeholders. Throughout the project lifecycle, we keep communication open and inclusive, ensuring all voices are heard and all concerns are considered.
When conflict arises or a project meets resistance, we step in to find common ground. Our team is skilled at de-escalating tension, facilitating productive dialogue, and bridging gaps between the public and project teams.
Our approach is grounded in the Systematic Development of Informed Consent (SDIC)* — a proven methodology that emphasizes stakeholder involvement from the very beginning. SDIC ensures that stakeholders’ concerns, motivations, and goals are understood and addressed throughout the life of the project. With this process, there are no surprises. Your project remains true to its mission while also being responsive to the community’s diverse needs. Even when public sentiment doesn't shift entirely, this approach aims to establish community understanding of the project’s value — recognizing how it addresses shared challenges and serves the greater good. When people are informed, even those who don’t directly benefit are less likely to oppose progress.
Over the past 20+ years, this commitment to transparent, inclusive, and thoughtful engagement has earned Rifeline the trust of both our clients and the communities we serve.
* SDIC was developed by Hans, Annemarie & Jennifer Bleiker. To learn more, please visit https://consentbuilding.com/.
