interesados

Interesados is the plural form of interesado in Spanish. In organizational and public contexts, it is commonly translated as stakeholders or interested parties. The term refers to individuals, groups, or organizations that have a legitimate interest, stake, or potential impact in a decision, project, policy, or activity. Those labeled as interesados can affect outcomes or be affected by them, and their needs, rights, and expectations are taken into account in planning and execution.

In business, governance, and public administration, identifying interesados is a foundational step for effectiveness, accountability, and risk management. The concept is used alongside others such as afectados (those affected) and beneficiarios (beneficiaries), and a typical reference is the "parte interesada" or "stakeholder." Stakeholders can be internal (employees, management) or external (customers, suppliers, investors, communities, regulators, NGOs). Key stakeholders—los interesados clave—are those with high influence and/or high interest.

Stakeholder analysis involves mapping interests, influence, and potential impacts, often through tools like stakeholder registers or power–interest grids. The goal is to prioritize engagement, anticipate concerns, and design appropriate communication and participation strategies. Engagement plans methods may include consultations, workshops, and ongoing dialogue to foster transparency, legitimacy, and collaboration, while managing risks and enhancing decision quality.

Common groups of interesados include customers, employees, suppliers, investors, community members, government agencies, regulators, NGOs, and the media, among others. Recognizing and involving interested parties strengthens governance, ethics, and the social license to operate in projects and policies.