Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program
On this page:
- Background
- Eligibility
- Available Technical Assistance
- Connections to Other Other EPA, Federal and Non-Governmental Efforts
Background
EPA’s Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program provides funds for a wide range of environmental and climate justice activities that benefit disadvantaged communities. The program prioritizes locally driven projects that reduce pollution, increase climate resilience and build capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. These projects can help enhance meaningful involvement in government processes related to environmental and climate justice, expand access to high-quality jobs and economic opportunity through workforce development, and bolster community strength by ensuring that local residents receive the benefits of investments and have the opportunity to build on them for current and future generations.
This program aims to help disadvantaged communities across the country implement a wide variety of projects that meet their climate adaptation and resilience needs, in addition to other important local priorities. Examples of possible activities that specifically advance community climate adaptation and resilience goals include the creation of green infrastructure like public parks, climate resilience hubs and the development of resilient water infrastructure. For a list of up-to-date eligible projects, please see the Community Change Grants Program's latest funding announcement. Applications are reviewed by EPA on a rolling basis to allow applicants to utilize technical assistance and possibly resubmit a new application if not initially selected.
Eligibility
Who is generally eligible to apply?
Partnerships between (1) two community-based nonprofit organizations or (2) partnerships between a CBO and a federally recognized Tribe, a local government or an institution of higher education are eligible to apply. Other organizations and entities may be able to participate and be involved in program projects as collaborating subrecipients and/or procurement contractors selected in compliance with competition requirements.
The statutory partnership application is comprised of a lead applicant (e.g., an eligible CBO, federally recognized Tribe, local government or institution of higher education) who enters into a statutory partnership with a statutory partner (e.g., another eligible entity) to carry out the grant activities if the application is selected for funding. Note that cost-sharing or matching is not required.
Projects funded by the program are covered by the Justice40 Initiative. Learn more about Justice40 at EPA and about applicant eligibility requirements for participating programs. Visit CCPG's website and current funding announcement for specific details on eligibilities, applicant requirements, and sub-award requirements.
How can projects funded by this program incorporate adaptation and resilience considerations?
The Community Change Grants Program will help communities and their partners to design, develop and implement multi-faceted community-driven projects. Examples of climate adaptation and resilience projects supported by the program include but are not limited to:
- Planting trees to build climate resilience and achieve carbon sequestration.
- Constructing green-infrastructure projects, such as permeable surfaces, collection basins, rain gardens, bioswales and others.
- Creating new parks or enhancing/expanding existing parks to provide climate resilience benefits (e.g., heat island reduction, flood mitigation, etc.) or other demonstrable environmental benefits.
- Constructing new, expanded or enhanced bikeways, walkways or non-motorized urban trails that reduce vehicle miles traveled and related air pollution by providing safe routes for zero-emission travel between residences, workplaces, commercial and community centers and schools.
- Purchasing, constructing and/or installing infrastructure, equipment or facilities to create and/or support low or zero-emission transportation options.
- Reducing heat island effects by installing cool roofs on homes, multi-family housing or public buildings.
- Constructing and/or installing microgrid infrastructure, including for onsite renewable energy generation and storage.
- Establishing community resilience hubs as a convening space that provides climate-related resources and services to residents.
- Redeveloping brownfields using greening efforts (tree-planting, park construction or renovations, community garden developments, etc.) that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and/or improve climate resilience.
Many additional examples of climate adaptation and resilience focused projects can be found in the Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program Notice of Funding Opportunity or by visiting the program’s website.
Available Technical Assistance
The Community Change Grants Technical Assistance initiative was created in direct response to feedback from communities and environmental justice leaders desiring technical assistance and capacity building support for communities (and their partners) seeking to improve their access to federal resources. The technical assistance initiative also hosts informational webinars and provides additional information on technical assistance resources on EPA’s website.
Eligible entities can receive technical assistance for all stages of the program, including application support, capacity building, project planning and more. The program also regularly hosts and records informational webinars to help address frequent applicant or recipient questions. For general information on other technical assistance programs that can support CCGP applicants, visit EPA’s Technical Assistance Hub.
Connections to Other EPA, Federal or Non-Governmental Efforts
Support offered by the following programs can be used in combination with the program to build capacity for climate adaptation and resilience projects.
- Community, Equity and Resiliency Initiative: EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation and the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights are collaborating to help communities, especially those that are low-income and disadvantaged, navigate financing opportunities and resources to address climate change and reduce pollution. The two-phased Community, Equity and Resiliency Initiative includes a virtual open house followed by in-person regional roadshow events. These events provide spaces for communities, community-based partners, and potential grant applicants to learn, connect, dream and cultivate ideas on how EPA’s funding opportunities can create meaningful environmental and climate justice improvements in their community. Visit the Community, Equity and Resiliency website to learn more and get engaged.
- Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers: EPA and the Department of Energy are supporting 16 EJ TCTACs across the nation to provide training and other assistance to build capacity for navigating federal grant application systems, developing strong grant proposals, and effectively managing grant funding. The Centers will also provide guidance on community engagement, meeting facilitation, and translation and interpretation services for limited English-speaking participants, with the goal of removing barriers and improving accessibility for communities with environmental justice concerns.