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Climate Smart Communities Initiative

Overview


The Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI) provides funding, expertise, training, and other resources to help communities on the front lines of the climate crisis advance their climate resilience plans and projects while also developing the strategies and capacities that communities nationwide will need as climate impacts intensify.

The CSCI is managed by a consortium of partners, including the Climate Resilience FundEcoAdaptFernleafGeos InstituteICF, and the Environment, Equity, and Justice Center at NRDC, working closely with the NOAA Climate Program Office. Over the next several years, we will support communities nationwide in building their internal capacity, matching them with appropriate external partners, and providing guidance and funding resources. EcoAdapt will lead this project's monitoring and evaluation component to learn what is effective in community support delivery and adaptation practice. The assessment of adaptation efficacy and the implementation of evidence-based adaptation strategies are crucial for enhancing our collective outcomes and scaling up adaptation efforts. CSCI provides a unique opportunity to learn at a scale that matches the challenge of climate change.

Launch of the Climate Smart Communities Initiative

CSCI is a core component of the federal government’s strategy for advancing climate resilience. For more information about these programs, please refer to the White House Climate Resilience Summit Factsheet. Read NOAA’s press release about CSCI here.

CSCI released its first round of awards in August 2024, with more than $1 million going to help 11 communities on the front lines of the climate crisis. You can learn more about the communities that received these awards and their projects here

Project Activities

Grant Applications and Funding

An announcement about a second round of grant funding is coming soon! 

Community Sign-Up Forms

More coming soon!

Apply for the Registry of Climate Adaptation and Resilience Professionals!

The Registry of Climate Adaptation and Resilience Professionals is an online database that connects communities to qualified climate adaptation and resilience practitioners. The Registry highlights organizations that work in the field of climate adaptation and resilience, are committed to following best practices, and have a track record of high-quality results. 

Any organization that offers adaptation or resilience services can apply to join and, once accepted, increase its visibility with communities nationwide seeking climate services and become eligible to apply along with community leaders for funding from CSCI. 

Find more details on the Registry’s benefits and eligibility requirements, and access the application at www.ClimateSmartCommunity.org/Registry/.

The Adaptation Help Desk

Use the Adaptation Help Desk to access curated technical resources, find answers to common adaptation-related questions, and get expert advice on your resilience-building efforts. View resources and frequently asked questions here.

NOAA's Steps to Resilience Training

The Steps to Resilience training equips adaptation professionals with the essential skills to effectively lead communities through resilience and adaptation planning and projects. Learn more about the trainings offered here

The Adaptation Options Database

Dive into the Adaptation Options Database to explore over 1,000 adaptation actions for specific hazards and assets, uncovering resilience-building solutions and corresponding plans and case studies to inspire your strategies. Explore options here

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Sign up for the Climate Smart Communities Initiative's mailing list for updates and opportunities to engage and learn more about the Initiative at www.ClimateSmartCommunity.org.

Partners