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Agustín Arreola, External Affairs Manager
agustin.arreola@opr.ca.gov, (279) 386-2183
SACRAMENTO, California – February 16, 2024 – State leaders today announced the second round of funding through the Adaptation Planning Grant, part of the Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program. With $9.5 million in funding available, Grants will support resilience and sustainability across diverse communities, contributing to the State's efforts to address climate change. This round of funding introduces key improvements to the Grant to streamline processes and ensure equitable access. Climate impacts are projected to accelerate statewide, with under-served communities most vulnerable to the impacts.
Adaptation Planning Grants support a range of initiatives contributing to community resilience in the face of climate change. Grantees can use the funds for community engagement to identify climate resilience goals and objectives, development of educational resources and outreach strategies, creation of vulnerability and risk assessments, research studies of climate impacts, and the preparation and implementation of climate action plans, general plans, and mitigation strategies. Grantees may also use the funds to develop climate action plans and monitoring programs.
“As we invite applications for the second round of the Adaptation Planning Grant, we are drawing inspiration from the successes of the first round,” said Saharnaz Mirzazad, Executive Director of State Planning and Policy Development at the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. “Adaptation Planning Grantees have centered the California communities most vulnerable to climate change, collaborated across sectors, and developed tailored climate adaptation solutions. We are enthusiastic about carrying forward that momentum in the Grant’s second round while amplifying inclusivity and transparency. Together, we’re building a resilient California for all.”
To reduce barriers to access and promote inclusivity and effectiveness, Office of Planning and Research staff have made key updates to the Grant for its second round. OPR will offer tailored third-party support for tribes and disadvantaged communities applying for this Grant, making the Grant application process more accessible to the communities that need it most. Through AB 590, OPR staff will be able to pay qualifying 501(c)(3) non-profit awardees 25% of their award amount in upfront payments. Advance pay will expand frontline communities’ access to this critical funding opportunity. To increase transparency and accessibility, OPR staff have also clarified application questions and reviewer criteria.
In the first round of funding, Adaptation Planning Grants supported tribes, local governments, and community-based organizations in assessing local hazards, conducting robust engagement, and creating equitable and community-driven strategies to minimize climate impacts. Demonstrating the tremendous need for adaptation planning funding, applicants for the first round of funding requested $63 million in awards, while OPR only had $8 million available to award. The fourteen projects awarded in round one are fostering cross-sector collaboration and equity in statewide efforts to adapt to climate change, identifying their climate resilience priorities, planning for climate resilience, and developing climate resilient infrastructure projects across the state.
Established through SB 170, Governor Newsom’s 2021-22 Budget funds the Climate Adaptation Planning Grant. For more information, visit the APGP Website.