SGC Catalyst Model Centering Communities in Place-Based Investment: Build Capacity Along the Way

A key element to the success of the Bottom-up Governance model is the focus on technical assistance and capacity building. To support diverse networks of partners within a community to self-determine and implement solutions at scale, it is critical that funders invest in the capacity of those organizations to do so. This includes the trust among partners in the collective to work collaboratively. Capacity building is the process by which individuals, groups, organizations, and institutions grow, enhance, and organize their systems, resources, and knowledge. Capacity building can be an active process (see Model 2) or a more passive approach where a project is designed in such a way that builds capacity as it is implemented. The value of supporting TA and capacity building in these kinds of programs is twofold; first, ensuring more successful and equitable project implementation, and second, the long-term ability for partners to stay engaged to tackle future challenges, pursue additional funding, and sustain the collective momentum.

Outcomes

Reduces barriers and levels the funding playing field for community participation
Builds clear venues and confidence for community participation in local planning, project building, and advocacy efforts.
Establishes a platform for ongoing trust building and new processes for community organizations to partner with government and vice versa.
Supports sustained capacity beyond the grant to accelerate community transformation
Improves program effectiveness by increasing the ability and equity across disinvested communities to access resources to plan for and create healthy and sustainable communities

How to Do This

The following examples draw on existing SGC program guidelines. The examples are intended as a guide and can be adapted to suit the needs of particular programs and contexts.

Encourage applicants to identify and work with community-based organizations representative of the community in a project area before the application

Co-Applicants

There must be a minimum of one (1) Co-Applicant in addition to the Lead Applicant. More than one (1) Co-Applicant is strongly encouraged. Priority in scoring will be given to applications that are able to demonstrate strong and diverse partnerships, including with community-based organizations and other stakeholder groups. Applicants will be required to submit an explanation of the partnership structure and roles and responsibilities of each partner.

SOURCE: Transformative Climate Communities Round 4 Program Guidelines (p. 47)

Provide Planning Grants to fund activities that prepare disadvantaged communities for future funding opportunities

The Planning Grants intend to support planning activities to prepare disadvantaged communities for future funding opportunities in programs that align with the TCC Program’s objectives. Planning activities should focus on responding to planning issues or priorities that directly benefit low-income and disadvantaged communities.

Applicants must explain how the proposed planning activities will advance the objectives prioritized in local adopted plans and promote the Transformative Climate Communities Program’s Objectives (see Section II.C).
Applicants must explain how the planning process furthers a neighborhood’s ability to address one or more of the Implementation Grant’s Transformative Elements, per Section II.E. Specifically, Applicants will describe how engaging in a particular task will:
1. a. Consider the risks and develop potential policies and programs to avoid displacement of the Planning Area’s current residents and businesses.
2. b. Design or enhance innovative and meaningful community engagement programs and practices that will be built upon the input and expertise of community stakeholders – including local public agencies, community-based organizations, workforce development boards, and others.
3. c. Enhance the Planning Area’s potential to secure leveraged funds required for the TCC Implementation Grant proposal.
4. d. Identify opportunities (e.g., projects) to reduce GHG emissions and further the purpose of AB 32 and SB 32.
5. e. Identify the impacts of climate change risks and exposures on the community, including vulnerable populations, and infrastructure/natural systems, and describe measures that will be taken to adapt and respond to anticipated impacts.
6. f. Identify the Planning Area’s needs for economic development and career pathways for high-quality jobs. Plan for new or enhanced workforce development and training programs.

SOURCE: Transformative Climate Communities Round 4 Program Guidelines (p. 48)

C. Examples of Eligible Planning Activities

Some examples of eligible planning activities include:

Building capacity internally, among staff and departments, and externally, among stakeholders, by including the development of collaborations and partnerships that connect land use development with environmental, economic, and social justice priorities.
Evaluating, updating, and streamlining various policies and codes currently enforced by the Planning Department and other local departments (e.g., public works, health and safety, fire, parks and open space, etc.).
Completing fiscal analyses and studies, such as conducting a fiscal impact analysis to understand long-term service costs of future development and to determine fee structures.
Preparing climate action and climate adaptation plans.
Designing or enhancing community engagement that results in innovative and meaningful programs and practices built upon the input and expertise of local public agency staff, community-based organizations, workforce development boards, and overburdened individuals and groups.

SOURCE: Transformative Climate Communities Round 4 Program Guidelines (p. 49)

Provide technical assistance and staff support during the application, implementation, and evaluation phases

A. Application TA

To support the development of competitive proposals, SGC will offer application technical assistance (TA) from third-party providers (TA providers) to eligible Applicants for the TCC Implementation Grants.

Application TA activities may include, but are not limited to:

Support for quantification of GHG reductions;
Direct application assistance, including review of responses and application coordination;
Financial analysis and budget development;
Identification of Project Area, integration of Projects, and cost estimates;
Assessment of project readiness; and
Geographic Information System mapping assistance.

SOURCE: Transformative Climate Communities Round 4 Program Guidelines (p. 57)

B. Implementation TA

Applicants awarded Implementation Grants will receive Implementation TA and other technical support from representatives of SGC, DOC, CARB, and other State entities throughout the implementation of their TCC Proposal for a timeframe to be determined by SGC.

Additional support conducted by SGC may include but is not limited to:

Assistance in attracting and leveraging additional financing;
Assistance in developing and promoting transformative plans; and
Assistance strengthening organizational capacity to integrate implementation efforts.

SOURCE: Transformative Climate Communities Round 4 Program Guidelines (p. 58)

C. Evaluation TA

Applicants awarded Implementation Grants are required to allocate a minimum of 3% of awarded grant funds towards the hiring of a pre-qualified, third-party Evaluation Technical Assistance Provider to assist with data collection and indicator tracking throughout grant implementation. Note that Lead and Co-Applicants should allocate an additional 2-3% of funds towards indicator tracking and program evaluation activities. Please see Section II.F for more information.

Evaluation Technical Assistance Providers will support grantees with tracking and documenting the TCC Project’s progress and impact through the following:

Development of a Site-Specific Evaluation Plan to assess the holistic impacts of the TCC project;
Development of reporting tools and a technical assistance plan to support grantee and partners with gathering and reporting data;
Assistance with the processing of data and delivering required annual reports to SGC;
Participation in evaluation activities such as focus groups, surveys, and interviews;
Annual Process Evaluation Memos providing feedback on the TCC program design and implementation process.”