Entities that promote initiatives to support communities affected by the climate changethe pollution and other environmental factors, in Puerto Rico, could receive between $75,000 and $350,000 to advance their projects, as part of a grant from the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, in English) for which a request for proposals has already been opened.
The grant – of $50 million – was awarded to the program Flourishing in Communityof the Fordham Universitywhich promotes environmental justice. Of the amount, $40 million will be used for individual grants and $10 million will be used to create dissemination and support tools for selected non-profit organizations, communities, municipalities or higher education institutions.
In addition to Puerto Rico, entities of New York, New Jersey, US Virgin Islands and eight federally recognized indigenous nations – which make up EPA Region 2 – can apply for the funds. At the local level, the organization ConPRmitted was selected as a partner to accompany the applicants.
In interview with The New Daythe Program Manager of ConPRmetidos, Aurora Hernandez Gallianoindicated that, although there is no precise number of how many entities the subsidy will impact, those interested They will be able to submit their proposals during the three years that the aid will be available, and they will be evaluated quarterly..
The online application is available at www.Fordham.edu/FIC or via email floreiendo@conprmetidos.org.
Hernández Galliano explained that the first quarter of evaluations ends on December 31. He stressed that, although for the entities “This would be the first opportunity (to apply), it is not the last opportunity they will have, because the fund (grant) will be available for the next three years”.
“We are going to be giving orientation and support sessions to accompany the entities that are interested in applying,” he said, and reported that this Tuesday there will be one of those talks, virtually.
Monica Rivera Rosadoregional officer of Florezando en Comunidad, explained, for his part, that the subsidies are divided into four categories; The first of them – for $75,000 – does not require competition for its award and seeks to support organizations. The other three, on the contrary, are competitive and are limited to projects “that an organization or entity wants to implement.”
Of three competitive phases, he explained, the first – valued at $150,000 – will be allocated to one-year projects that have the purpose of evaluating and collecting data to understand a problem in a community. The second phase – $250,000 – is to plan a project; and the third –of $350,000–, for projects that are already ready to develop and implement.
The proposals submitted They may encompass environmental workforce development, sustainable and healthy housing, or emergency preparedness programs; projects related to air quality and respiratory diseases, or to address illegal spills; cleaning abandoned or underused spaces; and disaster resilienceamong other approaches.
“The funds are from the EPA, which awarded them to Fordham University, and the university is the one who will administer them. Fordham University is going to function as a foundation,” explained Hernández Galliano.
The grant awarding process is led by Julie Gafneyassociate vice president for Strategic Initiatives at Fordham University, and Surey I. MirandaPuerto Rican and director of Relations between the academic institution and the community.
“We look forward to receiving applications from across the Region (EPA 2) for workforce development programs, educational projects, clean air and water initiatives, solar energy projects, plantings, and improvements to access to green spaces and waterways. Our commitment to fostering community-led solutions is unwavering, and we firmly believe that this collaborative path is the most promising route to advance higher education.”, Gafney said in a press release.
“The environmental justice grant program was developed in collaboration with communities to increase access and capacity for smaller grassroots groups. This program improves the efficiency of the grant-making process, ensuring that communities can access the benefits of this funding“he added Lisa GarciaEPA Region 2 administrator, in the statement.
The EPA awarded the $50 million to Floreciendo en Comunidad as part of the Law for the Reduction of Inflation of the president Joe Biden.