Equitable development is community revitalization that seeks to comprehensively address deeply entrenched issues such as poverty, economic development, and environmental quality within our communities. Economic opportunity is a cornerstone of equitable development, particularly within communities facing additional challenges associated with land use, brownfields sites, vacant properties, and blight. Where there are opportunities to revitalize places, the timing is ripe to integrate and invest in equitable development. It involves residents, property owners, workers, local businesses, planners, government officials and developers cooperatively engaging in decisions and investments which tackle past inequities, while creating a new vision for a sustainable future. The foundation for creating strong, economically resilient and livable communities is increasingly built upon an evolving spectrum of place-based activities that develop improved community revitalization tools and strategies.

The one day Equitable Development Workshop is a hands-on learning opportunity for EPA staff working on community-based projects and EPA staff interested in learning more about community issues. Case studies, practical tools and strategies will be shared by practitioners and experts who work at the cutting edge of connecting low income and minority populations to opportunities and beneficial socioeconomic outcomes of community revitalization. The workshop will cover equity tools such as first source hiring initiatives, local contracting goals, land trusts, and community benefits agreements.

The workshop will showcase real-life examples of community capacity building, and aims to equip participants with an:

• Increased understanding about ways to strengthen the inclusion and engagement of community stakeholders in project visioning,planning and decisions.
• Insider's view of approaches that foster equity by building human capital.
• Understanding of ways to strengthen economic resiliency while addressing environmental and health needs.
• In-depth knowledge about the building blocks of effective local strategies and available tools for incorporating equitable development principles and techniques.

Who should attend: EPA staff who work on community revitalization, community-based projects, and other sustainable development projects and are interested in learning to work more effectively with communities with environmental justice concerns. This training is also open to those that do not work in communities but are interested in learning more about community-based equitable development issues.

Please register by Monday, October 17.

Previous Events (click to view/hide)

Washington, DC Event Details   October 27, 2016 - October 27, 2016