Washington State Public Participation Grants (Department of Ecology) - Toxics and Waste

Washington State Public Participation Grants - Toxics and Waste

The Department of Ecology's Public Participation Grants provide funding for community engagement projects related to toxic sites and waste management priorities. Approximately $2.5 million was allocated by the Washington State Legislature for this program.

Administrator: Washington State Department of Ecology

Geographic Scope: Washington State

Priority Areas:

• Highly impacted and low-income communities
• Environmental justice communities
• People with limited English proficiency
• Communities of color
• Applicants that have not received PPG funding since July 1, 2013
• Applicants based in highly impacted or low-income communities

Toxic Site Projects:

• Facilitate community engagement on toxic site issues
• Hold public forums to discuss community concerns related to toxic sites
• Develop and implement educational and communications materials
• Hire consultants to make technical information more understandable
• Advertising about key issues

Waste Management Projects:

• Engage people in reducing toxics in products and processes
• Food waste prevention initiatives
• Environmental foot-printing projects
• Waste reduction, recycling, and waste management priority projects

What They Fund:

• Community organizing around toxic sites
• Technical assistance and capacity building
• Communication and outreach
• Educational initiatives

Contact for More Information:

• Department of Ecology Public Participation Grants webpage
• Email: [email protected] (to notify if applying)
• Front and Centered can provide assistance

Background: After a two-year advocacy effort by groups including Duwamish River Clean-Up Coalition/Technical Advisory Group, Front and Centered, Washington Environmental Council, and Zero Waste Washington, the grant application process was improved to clearly prioritize environmental justice communities, low-income people, and people with limited English proficiency.

Application Process

Submission Method: Grant applications submitted to Department of Ecology

Required Materials:

• Completed application form
• Project description
• Community engagement plan
• Budget and timeline
• Organizational information

Process:

1. Access Department of Ecology Public Participation Grants webpage
2. Review application instructions and webinar (available on Ecology webpage)
3. Complete application form
4. Submit by deadline (5 PM on published deadline date)

Application Support:

• Webinar explaining the application available on Department of Ecology website
• Front and Centered organizations encouraged to contact for assistance
• Email: [email protected]

Resources:

• Webinar on application process available from Department of Ecology
• Examples of previously funded projects available (but new ideas encouraged)
• Technical assistance available to help communities understand application process