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Start a Thriving Earth Exchange Project

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About Thriving Earth Exchange

Overview

Thriving Earth Exchange encourages communities of any type – including environmental justice communities, local governments, faith communities, etc. – to submit a priority, issue, and/or project idea related to natural hazards, environment health, pollution, natural resources, sustainability and resilience, or climate change.  

General Details for Conducting a Project

The program is free of charge for communities, and projects do not need to join the program with external funding. Projects are designed to make an impact through creative problem-solving and in-kind support. Projects are supported by volunteer Community Science Fellows – project managers we train and match with you. These project managers will work with you to define the priorities of your project and to secure volunteer scientists or technical experts to achieve your community-led solutions. Projects can also access a small seed fund to support their work. Typical project outputs can include but are not limited to developing reports, webinars, podcasts, data, maps, exhibits, grant proposals, applications of technology, or interviews.  

Role of a Community Lead

We invite any community representative comfortable operating in English and/or in Spanish interested in launching a community project to complete the form below. At least two community leads representing their community’s perspective should apply and understand that this requires a dedicated 2 hours per week at least for projects. Projects typically last 18 months, but have the ability to graduate early. 

Upcoming Project Launches

Projects typically launch three time a year. We are hosting community science hubs to launch specific community projects. These hubs are (for the most part) bringing in their own connections with communities. These include Indigenous communities in the US focused on brownfield restoration, Spanish-speaking communities around the US focused on any environmental-related topic, frontline communities experiencing flooding in the northeast, and African American churches in the mid-west focused on climate change mitigation on church land. Spots for projects are limited. Please note the application deadlines indicated below. 

 

2024 Cohort Dates and Application Deadline

Cohort Date Extended Application Deadline 
September 2024 August 12, 2024

 

Questions? Email [email protected] 

Check out these recent projects:

Learn more about being a Thriving Earth Exchange community lead, what we look for, and next steps here. Check out a video Q&A here.

 

Interested in being a Thriving Earth Exchange Community?

Use the form below to apply! Form not loading? Click here to open in a new window.  

Questions? Email our program at [email protected] or call us at (202) 777-7309 to talk through your idea for a project. We look forward to hearing from you! 

 

Note: Prior to engaging with Thriving Earth Exchange, all communities are asked to read and consent to Thriving Earth Exchange’s Statement on Integrity in Community Science. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.