Theory of Change
How we measure our impacts and target our initiatives.
Activities
Facilitate and support the development of community-led energy projects that prioritize and uplift climate-impacted communities. Provide resources, technical assistance, and capacity-building to ensure equitable, inclusive, and sustainable projects.
Conduct assessments to understand the energy needs and priorities of climate-impacted communities. Use this information to inform community-led energy projects and policy advocacy efforts that address the most pressing concerns.
Advocate for policies that promote community-led energy projects and advance energy justice. Conduct research to support policy advocacy efforts and ensure that policy solutions are informed by the experiences and perspectives of climate-impacted communities.
Build community wealth through community-led energy projects that create local jobs, provide economic benefits, and strengthen community resilience. Prioritize community ownership and control to ensure equitable distribution of benefits.
Host community and virtual events to raise awareness about energy justice, community-led energy projects, and policy advocacy efforts. Prioritize engagement of climate-impacted communities and aim to build a broader movement for energy justice.
Build partnerships with nonprofits that share our vision of energy justice and community-led energy. Prioritize engagement of climate-impacted communities and aim to build collective power to advance energy justice.
Outcomes
- Hold 10 community workshops and webinars on energy democracy and energy justice topics by the end of the year
- Develop and distribute 3 educational materials, such as brochures, fact sheets, and infographics, to at least 50 community organizations
- Partner with 2 local schools and universities to incorporate energy democracy and justice education into curricula
- Reach 10,000 people through social media and other digital platforms with energy democracy and justice information
- Provide training opportunities for at least 20 community leaders to become energy advocates and organizers by the end of the year
- Establish 2 community solar projects that allow residents to collectively own and benefit from renewable energy generation
- Invest $100,000 in local clean energy businesses and job training programs to build a more sustainable and equitable local economy
- Develop and implement 3 campaigns that challenge the power and influence of utilities and other energy industry actors
- Advocate for $500,000 in funding and incentives that support the adoption of clean energy technologies in climate-impacted communities
- Partner with 3 local organizations and businesses to develop job training and workforce development programs that provide pathways to careers in the clean energy sector
- Conduct targeted outreach to underserved and marginalized communities to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are met by engaging with at least 10 organizations
- Establish community-led decision-making structures that prioritize community input and participation for at least 3 energy projects
- Develop policies and programs that specifically address the needs of climate-impacted communities, such as resilience planning and disaster preparedness, and implement them in at least 2 communities
- Work with at least 3 community organizations and leaders to build trust and establish long-term relationships that prioritize community needs and interests
- Develop and implement 2 campaigns that address the intersection of energy justice and at least 2 other social justice issues
- Advocate for 3 policies and regulations that advance energy justice in conjunction with other social justice issues
- Engage at least 10 community members and leaders to build support for the intersection of energy justice and other social justice issues
- Partner with at least 3 organizations to strengthen the intersectional approach to energy justice.
- Work with policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels to advocate for policies and funding that support community-led clean energy projects.
- Engage directly with community members and leaders to build support for community-led solar projects and policies.
- Monitor and track the implementation of community-led solar policies and programs to ensure they are effectively serving the needs of climate-impacted communities.
- Develop and disseminate policy briefs, reports, and other materials that provide evidence-based arguments for community-led clean energy policies and programs.
- Collaborate with other organizations and coalitions to build a broader movement for community-led clean energy.
Impacts
- Increase the number of community-led clean energy projects in low-income and BIPOC communities by 50% within the next five years.
- Increase the number of jobs created through community-led clean energy projects by 25% within the next five years.
- Reduce the energy burden on low-income households by 20% within the next five years.
- Develop and pass at least two policies or regulations that prioritize community-led clean energy projects in areas that are most impacted by climate change within the next three years.
- Increase community engagement in policy and decision-making processes by 50% within the next three years.
- Ensure that at least 75% of policies and regulations passed align with the priorities and needs identified by community members.
- Increase the number of community-owned clean energy projects by 50% within the next five years.
- Increase the number of households using community-owned clean energy systems by 25% within the next five years.
- Reduce the cost of energy for low-income households by 15% within the next five years.
- Increase the percentage of energy generated from renewable sources in the community by 25% within the next five years.
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the community by 20% within the next five years.
- Ensure that at least 50% of new clean energy projects are developed and owned by community members.
