This agreement provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act to support the environmental finance center (EFC) at the hawaii community foundation

The efcs provide technical assistance to government agencies and community-based organizations in the form of training, education, and research to help regulated parties develop solutions to the difficult 'how-to-pay' issues associated with meeting environmental standards and challenges. The efcs educate state, tribal, and local governments and businesses on lowering environmental costs, increasing environmental investments, improving financial capacity, identifying appropriate revenue generating mechanisms, and evaluating environmental financing options. This assistance agreement provides partial funding in the amount of $1,286,890 and approves pre-award costs back to january 1, 2023. Activities:the activities to be performed by the hawaii islands (HI) EFC include assisting government agencies and community-based organizations within the state of hawaii with capacity development activities to strengthen organizational knowledge and technical, managerial, and financial capacity to identify, access, and manage clean water and drinking water state revolving funds, bipartisan infrastructure law, and other infrastructure funding. In addition, to support workforce development of professional staff within the water industry, the hiefc will partner with other organizations to develop a fellowship program and career pathways to strengthen organization/agency capacity to recruit, hire, and retain diverse and qualified staff. Subrecipient:university of hawaii - a water agency GAP analysis, water asset and GAP assessment of university of hawaii system, and development of water career pathways program urban sustainability directors network - host an annual fellowship program in partnership with hawaii water agencies, including recruitment, trainings, mentoring, coaching, and career developmentoutcomes:the anticipated deliverables include direct technical assistance and training to government and community-based organizations as well as the development of fellowship programs and career pathways. The expected outcomes include increased access to infrastructure funding, especially by disadvantaged communities, an expansion of an experienced and diverse workforce, and increased effectiveness of water management in the state of hawaii resulting in cleaner and safer water. The intended beneficiaries include residents of the state of hawaii.