Unite EJ

Unite for Environmental Justice

An influx of public monies flowing through federal policies passed over the last two years is shaping the future of our economy, as well as influencing the health of our communities. Over the next few years, more than $3 trillion will move through federal agencies via policies such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Now is the time for grassroots organizations to influence the direction of, and step into governance of, these monies to operationalize grassroots-led climate solutions that are grounded in equity, justice, and sustainability. These are the monies we need to jump-start the regenerative economy and ensure a pathway toward deep democracy — and as taxpayer dollars, this is our money!

During 2023, the Climate Justice Alliance developed strategies with our members to both influence the flow of these public monies, as well as access the federal funds directly. In December 2023, the EPA announced that UNITE-EJ (United Network for Impact, Transformation, and Equity in Environmental Justice Communities), a consortium of partners led by CJA, will be the recipient of a $50 million grant and serve as the National Grantmaker – West partner in the Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program, supporting EPA regions 8, 9, and 10.

In this role, UNITE-EJ will provide technical support to regional grantmakers and grassroots organizations, as well as serve as a regrantor of tens of millions of dollars in public funds to environmental justice communities over the next three years. As firm believers that those closest to the problems hold innovative and visionary solutions, we trust in the wisdom and leadership of EJ communities to effectively deploy these resources to the projects that need them most. Now is the time for a new era of EPA and EJ communities’ deepened collaboration toward a unified strategy— co-governance of the Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program.