Simmi Singh’s Post

We are absolutely thrilled to share that our partners at the Midwest Environmental Justice Network and RE-AMP Network, in partnership with The Minneapolis Foundation and NDN Collective, were just awarded $50 million in grants from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)! The grants will provide funding to environmental justice (EJ) projects in the Midwest, which includes Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, and 35 federally-recognized tribal nations. What a way to close out 2023 and an incredible win for Midwest EJ communities! One of our strongest beliefs as an organization is that those closest to the problem are best equipped to solve it. Too often EJ organizations are left out of receiving federal funding and not included in critical funding decisions. These grants will empower local EJ leaders to make recommendations about how and where funding is allocated and ensure that federal dollars are flowing directly to communities that are on the frontlines of climate equity issues. This is a historic collaboration between these organizations, and this award is a result of their partnership, on-the-ground knowledge of the issues, and steadfast commitment to achieving environmental justice for all communities. We’re proud to support their work through our Builders Initiative team and happy to celebrate this win alongside them! Read the press release from our partners: https://lnkd.in/gzknF_2T And check out the EPA’s official announcement here: https://lnkd.in/esbcCJGf #environmentaljustice #climateequity #climatejustice #EPA

I just read an incredibly insightful article about a recent initiative by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where they've allocated a significant sum of $1,749,705 to fund three key projects in Illinois. These projects are a part of President Biden's agenda to advance environmental justice, and what struck me the most is how they're focused on supporting disadvantaged communities. The article explains how these initiatives, backed by the Inflation Reduction Act, aim to provide clean air, water, and solutions for climate resilience, aligning with the Justice40 Initiative. The perspectives from various political figures, including EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan and Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, add depth to the discussion on environmental equity and the impact of these investments. What makes this article a compelling read is not just the detailed overview of the funding and its impact but also the broader context of how this move is part of a larger commitment to environmental justice across the nation. I found it incredibly informative and thought-provoking, and it's a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the intersection of policy, community action, and environmental stewardship.

🌍 Announcing the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Environmental Justice Clearinghouse! On April 21, 2023, President Biden’s Executive Order 14906 (https://lnkd.in/gS-XSPGr) established the Environmental Justice Clearinghouse, which is now accessible to all. This resource hub is designed to empower communities and stakeholders by providing a wealth of information and materials related to environmental justice efforts. 🔗 What You’ll Find in the EJ Clearinghouse: The EJ Clearinghouse offers a comprehensive collection of culturally and linguistically appropriate resources. These include research materials, policy updates, best practices, and actionable tools, all aimed at supporting environmental justice advocates and practitioners. Accessible Information: Resources are tailored to be accessible and useful to a diverse range of communities and stakeholders. Community Empowerment: Materials are designed to equip communities with the tools they need to advocate for and achieve environmental justice. 🤝 Contribute and Collaborate: Share Your Resources: Help enrich the Clearinghouse by submitting your own materials that could benefit others. Submit your resources through the EJ Clearinghouse submission form: https://lnkd.in/g2n4_Fh3

Unveiling the importance of environmental justice in Houston! 🌍✨ Let's dive into the why and how it matters. #EnvironmentalJustice #HoustonLiving

The latest from the Environmental Protection Network - check it out! Updates on Change Grants and CPRG Tribal Applications, TA for Small Water Systems, and More (December 22, 2023)

Big news coming out of Massachusetts yesterday. Cumulative impacts analysis is a core principle of environmental justice. Also note that Massachusetts decided on 33 indicators. New Jersey uses 26, New York more than that. The general idea is the same in each state but without fail, each state that has advanced CI rules makes their model their own. Common though to each is the objective analysis of indicators and the heightened importance of genuine community engagement. I will be presenting on this issue in May to a few industry groups in Massachusetts and would be happy to answer any questions. #environmentaljustice #communityengagement #cumulativeimpacts https://lnkd.in/embwP4Yk.

The Environmental Affairs Committee in City of Gaithersburg wants everyone to get involved in advancing environmental initiatives. What are the community's priorities for 2024? Find out in this new article from the Gaithersburg Post: https://lnkd.in/eND3YruH

Many residents in the Mid-Atlantic region (including the NY metro area) would say they have driven past an abandoned property or old gas station in need of environmental remediation/cleanup. Since 2020, the Biden Administration and NJ Governor Murphy have signed legislation and earmarked funding to address environmental issues. Many concerns are disproportionately present in EJ communities - primarily those populated by those at or below the poverty line, minorities, and non-English speakers. According to the NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION's Environmental Justice (EJ) Map (https://lnkd.in/eqQ7qvJd) all of the state’s 21 counties contain at least one EJ or Overburdened Community (OBC). 🔍 Submitting a winning grant proposal requires understanding the funding goals and selection criteria. Most funders provide detailed application guidelines, and many offer on-line informational meetings, training sessions and pre-submittal reviews. In fact, according to last week’s Environmental Protection Network’s e-newsletter and website, the EPA announced that Community Change Grants (https://lnkd.in/g-Q9t_U5) applicants who submit by August 1st can get feedback and resubmit by the November 21st deadline.  📝 Developing a strong proposal with your project’s objectives and methodology is essential. An impactful statement of need, including a detailed project description with well-defined goals, is also key. Budgets must be justified and include an evaluation plan to demonstrate how success will be measured. The project team’s proposed partnerships, expertise and experience are important factors to the decision makers. 🌉 Following submission, it is helpful to follow up and seek feedback. Building relationships with grant officers can pave the way for the future, and aligning with funders’ goals and demonstrating community involvement can significantly boost success rates. Forging solid partnerships with all stakeholders throughout the process also helps to affect real change in EJ communities.   💡 At Urban Verde, we subscribe to funders’ e-newsletters, track their live and virtual informational events in a calendar, and attend - if applicable. We have found success in responding to specific criteria of each funding request with a thorough understanding of the background and intent of the funding agency’s decision makers. In fact, we recently helped a NJ municipality receive three sources of funding for a coastal restoration and climate resilience project which will include developing recreational and educational facilities.  ✨ If you have identified a remediation/cleanup project in an EJ community, please contact us or leave a comment below. We partner with community organizations, municipalities, institutions, foundations, or other non-profits seeking expertise in grant writing and environmental remediation for EJ communities. #grantwriting #EJ

Last month, the EPA announced $128M in grants to support environmental justice projects, including efforts to address air and water pollution, environmental education, improve access to healthy foods, and reduce exposure to wildfire smoke. EPA plans to announce additional EJ-related grants and technical assistance programs by the end of the year, including $550M in funding for the Thriving Communities program and $200M in technical assistance for CBOs. #environmentaljustice https://ow.ly/iZbC50Q7fgj

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), and the City of Detroit are Government officials are asking Detroiters to submit their ideas for “beneficial environmental projects” to reduce pollution and increase residents’ health amid an influx of federal funding for environmental justice issues. Raquel Garcia, executive director of Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision, said it’s the first time residents in her community have been asked for feedback on environmental project options throughout years of grant-funded initiatives and community benefits negotiations at the state and local levels. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3SEY5RM #sbndetroit #sustainablebusinessnetwork #sustainablebusinessnetworkdetroit #sustainablebusiness #environmentaljustice #climateaction #sustainabledetroit #southeastmichigan #sustainabilitycatalystgrants #climate resilience #sustainabilityprojects #climateresilience #climatejustice #blackownedbusinesses #washtenawcounty