LGC Secures Funding to Launch New Local Government Climate-Change Program
The LGC is always working to identify local needs and bring resources to local governments. We’re proud to announce the launch of an exciting new program that has been in development for the last two years.
CivicSpark, a new statewide Governor’s Initiative of AmeriCorps, is being led by the Local Government Commission in partnership with the State of California – through the Office of Planning and Research, and CaliforniaVolunteers – and a network of regional organizations. The partnership will receive nearly $2 million over three years from the Corporation for National and Community Service to underwrite a high quality technical support program so LGC can bring needed services to local and regional partners at a greatly reduced cost.
At a time when additional local leadership is needed to implement state climate and energy goals aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, many local governments are facing limited capacity, budget constraints and the loss of key tools and funding sources.
“Climate change is a global challenge that requires strong, sustained local action,” said Governor Brown, “This program gets young people into communities across California to help reduce emissions and boost energy efficiency.”
California is a pioneer in addressing climate change through robust greenhouse gas emissions reduction and climate change resiliency policies and programs. However, the State cannot achieve long-term climate-change goals alone.
“Local governments have been recognized as instrumental in meeting state climate and energy goals aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Kate Meis, executive director of the Local Government Commission, the California-based nonprofit that will be organizing the CivicSpark initiative. “At a time when additional local leadership is needed to implement these goals, local governments have limited capacity due to budget constraints and the loss of key tools and funding sources. This generous support from the Corporation for National and Community Service, and the commitments of our network of State, regional and local partners will help California communities bridge that gap and spark climate resilience measures statewide.”
Starting in June, CivicSpark with its State and regional partners will begin to identify local government participants and projects, with selection of local projects and recruitment of AmeriCorps members running through the summer. Selected projects are expected to launch in local communities in mid-September.
“CivicSpark leverages the unique power of national service to build local government climate capacity statewide. Its AmeriCorps members will act as a critical bridge helping local governments develop the programs, relationships and skills needed to mobilize California’s climate change response,” said Karen Baker, Chief Service Officer of CaliforniaVolunteers. “They will also have the opportunity to grow as environmental stewards committed to the values of service and knowledgeable about local needs and responses.”CivicSpark will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate community resiliency by building capacity and sustainability in the communities that need it most.In the first year, the 48 CivicSpark members will contribute over 60,000 hours of support to at least 100 local climate action projects throughout California.
“The program provides a unique opportunity for emerging professionals to work with local governments and communities on essential climate response efforts,” said Ken Alex, director of the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.
“The Local Government Commission is proud to partner with the State of California through the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and CaliforniaVolunteers, as well as the Corporation for National and Community Service on this innovative program that will stretch from San Diego to the North Coast,” said Kif Scheuer, the LGC’s climate change program director.
Local governments, California’s cities, counties, and other regional public agencies, are well positioned to be the leading change agents. Because CivicSpark’s Regional Partners are engaged in existing climate efforts and have broad stakeholder networks, they will provide regional understanding and support to member teams as they engage local government participants, facilitate sharing of experiences and information, and leverage resources and opportunities.
CivicSpark will provide benefits to the communities, AmeriCorps members and the participants it serves. Its’ AmeriCorps members will focus on projects that fill key local gaps, provide foundational information and catalyze further sustainability initiatives, ranging from educating community members about climate change, benchmarking commercial building energy use, conducting electric vehicle readiness planning to inventorying greenhouse gas emissions.
Participating local governments will benefit through the development of capacity for sustainable communities and response to climate change, a pipeline for future sustainability efforts, and a workforce with local expertise in climate change, energy and sustainability. CivicSpark will also help create a state-local network for sharing information and expertise, and provide access to affordable resources for hands-on training.
For more info
For more information visit the CivicSpark website
or download the CivicSpark flyer
www.lgc.org/wordpress/docs/resources/climate-change/civicspark-flyer-5-14.pdf
If you have climate-change projects you need help with in the coming year and are interested in finding out how CivicSpark support might be available to you, contact Kif Scheuer, the LGC’s climate change program director, kscheuer@lgc.org
