Project Grant 95338201

DESCRIPTION:THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING UNDER THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA) TO APPALACHIAN VOICES. THE RECIPIENT WILL CREATE A COMPREHENSIVE FRAMEWORK KNOWN AS THE COAL COMMUNITY RESILIENCE PLANNING MODEL AND TOOLKIT. THIS MODEL AND TOOLKIT WILL SERVE AS AN ADAPTABLE GUIDE FOR FIVE COAL COMMUNITIES IN VIRGINIA TO NAVIGATE AND RESPOND TO THE MULTIFACETED CHALLENGES POSED BY ECONOMIC SHIFTS, ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS, AND THE NEED TO PLAN FOR CLIMATE CHANGE. ACTIVITIES:THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES WILL BE PERFORMED: ORGANIZE GOVERNMENT LEADS AND CORE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, NURTURE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND DEVELOP RESILIENCE MAPS, ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY PROJECT IDEATION AND PLAN DEVELOPMENT, DEVELOP COMMUNITY PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY PLANS, MEASURE AND SUSTAIN IMPACT, AND DEVELOP ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES.SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: A COLLABORATIVE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS; 200+ COMMUNITY MEMBERS ENGAGED; 5 COMMUNITY RESILIENCE MAPS; 5 COMMUNITY-BASED PROJECT DESIGNS; PROJECT PREDEVELOPMENT CONSULTING; 12 EDUCATION WEBINARS ON CLIMATE/RESILIENCE TOPICS; 20 NEW EJ LEADERS DEVELOPED; SKILLS AND METRICS DEVELOPED TO MEASURE IMPACT; THE DEVELOPMENT OF COAL COMMUNITIES RESILIENCE TOOLKIT; ENGAGEMENT IN THE EJ PROCESSES AND RULEMAKING EFFORTS; COALFIELD RESILIENCE; AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMUNITY FEEDBACK FORM. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: THE CREATION OF CORE PARTNERSHIP ACCOUNTABILITY AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE; HOSTING 2 LISTENING SESSIONS IN EACH LOCALITY; ACTIVATING 50 STAKEHOLDERS; BOLSTERING THE COMMUNITY BUY-IN PROCESS; STRATEGIC PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION; COMPLETING 5 RESILIENCE PROJECTS; INCREASING LOCAL COLLABORATIVE STRATEGIES; AND ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION IN REGULATORY/POLICY OPPORTUNITIES. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES ARE CITIZENS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEADERS, FUNDERS, POLICY MAKERS, REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GROUPS, AND EJ ORGANIZATIONS.