HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced $600,000 in grants to 12 community organizations as part of its Pennsylvania Engaging New Voices on Environmental Justice initiative. This program, designed to empower historically marginalized and underserved communities, aims to enhance access to environmental protection resources, DEP processes, and grant opportunities.
“Environmental Justice is a core part of DEP’s mission, and this program will not just help these organizations but also the people in the communities they support,” said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. “At DEP we know that proactive, transparent outreach is key to empowering communities and ensuring that people have a voice in the process.”
Community Benefit Organizations (CBOs) receiving the grants will use the funds to address specific community needs, including education, outreach, capacity-building, and engagement. Activities range from anti-dumping initiatives, such as those planned by Ngozi, Inc. in Harrisburg and the Spanish American Civic Association in Lancaster, to organizing local cleanups and workshops.
“We’re excited to forge, rebuild, and foster relationships with stakeholders and communities across Pennsylvania,” said Fernando Treviño, DEP Special Deputy Secretary for the Office of Environmental Justice. “Grant recipients representing rural and urban areas and people of diverse backgrounds and lived experiences will have the opportunity to share expertise and gain the support of a statewide network of organizations engaged in environmental justice.”
The grants, funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Justice Government-to-Government program, represent DEP’s first initiative focused exclusively on proactive community engagement. Sub-grants of $50,000 each were awarded to organizations in 10 counties, including Allegheny, Dauphin, Erie, Lancaster, and Philadelphia, as well as regional and statewide initiatives.
Through these partnerships, DEP aims to amplify community voices and increase stakeholder participation in environmental justice efforts across Pennsylvania.
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