WILMINGTON, DE — The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has unveiled the 2025 Community Environmental Project Fund (CEPF) grants, emphasizing equity in its revamped grant process. This shift aims to better address community needs and strengthen partnerships.
The DNREC Environmental Justice Office is now accepting CEPF grant applications for projects slated for 2025. Applications are due by September 16, 2024. To support communities and nonprofit organizations affected by pollution and contaminants, DNREC is offering additional resources to assist in completing grant applications, enhancing the likelihood of securing funds.
A significant enhancement in this year’s process is the introduction of the CEPF Tool. This searchable mapping tool will help DNREC identify communities where environmental violations have occurred, ensuring that penalty money for CEPF funding aligns with the state’s environmental justice priorities.
Identifying equity focus areas allows DNREC to direct investments to address existing inequities, utilizing the federal Justice40 framework. These areas are highlighted on the mapping tool, along with past CEPF investments and locations of facilities regulated by DNREC that have paid penalties linked to CEPF funding.
The DNREC Environmental Justice Office will award up to six CEPF grants of $25,000 each. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with grantees notified by early October. Approved projects will run from January through December 2025.
Eligible projects for CEPF grants include:
- Pollution mitigation: Initiatives to eliminate, minimize, or reduce environmental pollution, thereby reducing risks to human health and the environment.
- Environmental enhancement: Projects aimed at enhancing natural resources, improving indigenous habitats, and enhancing ecosystem functions.
- Recreational opportunities: Efforts to enhance natural resources and indigenous habitats to create new recreational opportunities and increase access to existing ones.
While being designated as an equity focus area does not guarantee a grant, prioritizing investment in these areas is expected to significantly improve the quality of life.
This initiative highlights DNREC’s efforts to foster environmental justice and enhance recreational green spaces across Delaware.
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