Cisco Grants Office December Funding Update: Justice40
Grant Funding for the Justice40 Initiative: Driving Equitable Climate Action and Community Empowerment
The Biden-Harris Administration's Justice40 Initiative is a landmark commitment to address the historical and ongoing environmental injustices disadvantaged communities face. The initiative aims to deliver 40 percent of the benefits of federal investments in climate, clean energy, and other areas to these communities, creating a vital pathway to achieving equitable and sustainable development. Grant funding plays a crucial role in fueling this ambitious agenda, empowering community-based organizations and local leaders to implement impactful projects that address the unique needs of their communities.
The Justice40 Initiative recognizes that climate change and environmental pollution burdens disproportionately fall on low-income, marginalized, and underserved communities. These communities often lack access to clean air, water, and safe infrastructure and are more vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather events. The initiative seeks to address these disparities by directing resources to communities, allowing them to build resilience, develop clean energy solutions, and create a more sustainable future for themselves.
Grant funding is one component of the critical financial support for organizations working in disadvantaged communities. These grants enable these groups to:
Develop and implement innovative solutions: This includes projects like renewable energy installations, energy efficiency upgrades, green jobs training programs, and initiatives to address environmental pollution.
Empower community members: By providing resources for community organizing, leadership development, and civic engagement, grants help to ensure that community voices are heard and reflected in decision-making processes.
Build capacity and infrastructure: Grants can support the development of necessary infrastructure, such as community gardens, clean water systems, and sustainable transportation options.
Conduct research and data analysis: This helps document the needs and challenges disadvantaged communities face and inform future policy and funding decisions.
Dozens of existing and new federal grant programs, including many created or expanded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, may be used for Justice40 initiatives. These programs will invest in climate change, clean energy and energy efficiency, clean transit, affordable and sustainable housing, training and workforce development, remediation and reduction of legacy pollution, and critical clean water and wastewater infrastructure. For more information, the complete list of current Justice40 covered programs can be found here.