About

The Environmental Justice Small Grants (EJSG) program seeks to support communities to engage, educate and empower underserved populations to better understand, identify and address environmental and public health issues.

The program is designed to help communities understand and address exposure to multiple environmental harms and risks. All projects are associated with at least one environmental statue.

Environmental justice is defined as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies.

EJSG projects should include community residents throughout the process of project development and implementation. The long-term goal is to build the capacity of the community to create self-sustaining partnerships that continue to improve the environments into the future.

Healthy watershed opportunities presented by an environmental justice grant are projects that engage the community around flood risk or water quality including sampling, stormwater, green infrastructure, emergency preparedness, disaster resiliency, environmental job training, and youth development.

The wide range of activities that can be funded by EJSG is a chance for a community to try new things and experiment with a new process or project. EPA notes that funded projects emphasize “learning” over “fixing” with an already well-established method. Demonstration projects should be a new approach where results will be shared so others can benefit.

Each year the EJSG program lists other factors of specific importance that increase likelihood of receiving funding. Be sure to pay attention to these other factors and highlight how your project can address one or more of them.

Other EPA resources, such as technical assistance, mapping tools and training materials provide the public with additional means to improve understanding and build capacity to effectively participate in local decision-making opportunities and transform communities.

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 Project Examples

EPA has funded over $6 million in EJ grants from 2014-2018. Go to the interactive story map to view a few recent project successes.

Philadelphia, PA Village of Arts & Humanities

2017 $15,000 - The aim of this project was to transform 17 vacant lots in a two-block area into green space to improve water quality, reduce surface runoff, provide watershed education, and improve quality of life for the ~150 residents living in this community whose average income is $10,000.

Camden, NJ Coopers Ferry Partnership

The aim of this project was to restore a local waterway by increasing riparian and urban forests by connecting adults and youths to water-related health activities in their local area. Project activities included: tree planting in floodplain open space and educational tours of habitats benefitting from the green infrastructure.

New Orleans, LA Mary Queen of Viet Nam Community Development Corporation

 The Mary Queen of Viet Nam Community Development Corporation and its partner organizations, empowered community members of Village de l’Est, a low-income, minority neighborhood in New Orleans East, to take meaningful action to address the pervasive issue of local water pollution.

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