$2 billion NOW OPEN! https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/inflation-reduction-act-community-change-grants-program
From EPA: EPA’s new Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program (Community Change Grants) has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for approximately $2 billion dollars in Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds in environmental and climate justice activities to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. These place-based investments will be focused on community-driven initiatives to be responsive to community and stakeholder input. They are designed to deliver on the transformative potential of the IRA for communities most adversely and disproportionately impacted by climate change, legacy pollution, and historical disinvestments.
EPA is accepting applications on a rolling basis for $2 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding available to support community-driven projects that build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges, strengthen their climate resilience, and advance clean energy.
Read the announcement for the NOFO
This competition is being launched in order to meet the goals and objectives of two Executive Orders (EO 14008 and EO 13985) issued by the Biden Administration that demonstrate the EPA’s and Administration’s commitment to achieving environmental justice and embedding environmental justice into Agency programs.
Find past webinars about the Community Change Grants Program here. These informative recordings and the corresponding slide decks are available in both English and Spanish.
One of the strategies covered by this program is in-line with transportation decarbonization projects. See below
Strategy 2 : Mobility and Transportation Options for Preventing Air Pollution and Improving Public Health and Climate Resilience
Many disadvantaged communities lack access to affordable low- or zero-emission transportation options, leading to disproportionate difficulties in daily life, limiting access to educational and economic opportunities, and creating vulnerability to climate risks. Strategy 2 focuses on providing community members with access to low- and zero-emission technologies to improve their overall health and well-being, reduce emissions, and increase access to important community destinations such as schools, workplaces, health care centers, and community spaces. Projects funded under this strategy may include installing protected bike lanes or walking paths, supplying traditional or electric bikes to community members, and deploying other low- or zero-emission transportation solutions. The impact of such projects could include improved public health outcomes, reduced GHG emissions from the transportation sector, more equitable access to community resources, increased community connectivity and safety, and greater community resilience to extreme weather events.
If you have any questions, please email Cassandre Torres, our Community Engagement Liaison, at ctorres@vacleancities.org.