This $3,000,000 federal Project Grant award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program (CFDA 66.616) will fund the JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. to enhance community input into local environmental and climate policy decision-making in Boston's environmental justice neighborhoods.
The key activities under this 3-year grant include: creating a Community Advisory Council, building connections with local government, and launching an Environmental Justice Ambassador program for peer outreach and engagement in East Boston. The project will increase resident participation in municipal processes, establish new communication pathways, and provide training to community organizations, educators, and leaders on environmental and climate justice topics. JSI will collaborate with several sub-recipients, including the Gastón Institute, Maverick Landing Community Services, Neighbors United for a Better East Boston, and GreenRoots, to execute these community-driven initiatives.