Energy Communities
Capacity Building (ECCB) Program

The Energy Communities Capacity Building (ECCB) Program* provides training, funding, and technical assistance to support community-based organizations and frontline communities nationwide to more deeply understand, organize, design, and implement Energy Democracy policies and projects.  The cohort curriculum is designed to develop language and analysis about energy systems and to build the capacity of communities to apply for federal funding opportunities made available through historic legislation, such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, leveraging frameworks such as those provided through executive orders that established the Justice40 Initiative. Technical assistance provided by the program heavily emphasized deep community engagement tools and skills to develop community-defined and -driven energy democracy policies and projects.

 

*previously known as the Emergent Communities Capacity Building Program

As of January 2024, notable outcomes of the ECCB program include:

$5.5M+

Additional dollars accessed by cohort participants.

12+

Public comments and meetings with government agencies and offices.

55+

Energy Democracy community engagement events.

15+

Communications developed with the support of Climate Nexus.

Meet the Inaugural Cohort Members

program Outcomes Per Organization

Cohort In Action

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ECCB EVALUATION REPORT​

ECCB Report Cover

This report explains how the program was designed, administered, implemented, and evaluated and provides a model for implementing equitable grantmaking.

Read The Report

Energy Democracy

ECC’s Energy Democracy work introduces communities and policy makers to the Energy Democracy framework and supports local efforts to transition from an extractive and burdensome energy system to a renewable and collective one.

As demand grows for public investments and comprehensive climate policies, shifting how our energy infrastructure is controlled, developed, and owned is vitally important. For communities that are marginalized and burdened by the current energy system, or that lack access to healthy energy systems, now is the time for this energy transition.

Learn more about ECC’s Energy Democracy work here.

Check Out Other Energy Democracy Resources

Testomonials

I was able to get a clearer understanding of the broader picture in terms of how industry is ultimately connected to corporations and greatly influences federal, state and local government decision making. Therefore, the importance of grassroots and community centered work is critical to take the lead to self-determination and community equity.
The 1:1 sessions were impactful as they provided an opportunity for more intimate interactions for specific questions we may have had and space to explore ways to the goals we are seeking.
Loved 1:1s. Felt like I made friends, caring, could see intention of diving into work more deeply - nice to have personal attention, usually in big cohorts you don't have a chance to talk so much.
We have an obligation and opportunity to participate in transformation of people's knowledge bases, of people's understanding and awareness of what utilities do, how they both fund and how they transmit their energies, using exploitive people and how government partners with these utilities.
This grant helped re-energize the work and make it possible. We didn't have much funding before this.
Participating in the ECCB program enabled us to meet and explore with other energy work organizations which helped to broaden and strengthen the scope of our work and purpose of our own individual organizations.
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Pilot Program Funders

PROGRAM STAFF

Sonia Kikeri

National Director of Civic Infrastructure

Nora Elmarzouky

Senior Energy Democracy Manager

ECCB Program Manager

Ardie Griffin

Policy Director

QUESTIONS?

For any inquiries please reach out to
energydemocracy@emeraldcities.org