Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Center

The Clean Energy Business Network supports innovators and entrepreneurs from all backgrounds. Explore the resources available below to support your efforts or get engaged with justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) in clean energy.

TAKE ACTION

Search and filter for funding: The Cleantech Funding Database includes funding sources, accelerators, government programs, and other databases. Explore opportunities using the “community-based” and “diversity & inclusion” tags listed under “Type of Funding” to find JEDI-focused clean energy funding opportunities.

Complete our JEDI Interest Form: Indicate your interest in JEDI-focused news, funding opportunities, and events by filling out our interest form.

Join the CEBN Inclusive Teaming Form: This short questionnaire is ideal for organizations looking to broaden their network and engage in ongoing JEDI efforts. Whether you are a businesses looking to engage with community-based organizations, a Minority-Serving Institution, or a nonprofit, you are invited to fill out our questionnaire and look through the teaming responses.

Explore the Inclusive Energy Economy: look through archives of CEBN’s Inclusive Energy Economy Updates, which is a monthly email series that highlights news, business opportunities, and events at the nexus of economic opportunity and clean energy, with an intentional focus on underrepresented demographics.

Learn about Justice40: as one of our Insight into Federal Programs blog posts, we covered the Justice40 Initiative, a goal by the Biden Administration to direct 40 percent of the overall benefits from Federal investments in climate and clean energy to disadvantaged communities. Read about the Justice40 Initiative here.

Engage with policy: Policy can move a just energy transition forward and support diversity and inclusion in clean energy. CEBN offers various ways to make your voice heard.

Sign up for CEBN’s newsletter: Get weekly updates on new funding opportunities, federal policy and programs, and upcoming events. Look for the “Spotlight on Inclusive Clean Energy” graphic. Sign up here.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION FOCUSED PROGRAMS

Telkes Fellowship: Applications are currently open for the third cohort of the Mária Telkes Fellowship until March 31, 2024. Learn about our current cohort of Telkes Fellows, a fellowship supporting mid-career professionals from underrepresented demographics. This fellowship is supported by CEBN and the Cleantech Leaders Roundtable.

Powering Forward: Recordings are available from the Powering Forward webinar series from the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) & CEBN, which examines developments across the clean energy economy in the US. Each episode is produced collaboratively with partners working to advance clean energy and emerge as a stronger, more resilient America. Watch our previous “Powering Forward” webinars here.

Justice40 Accelerator: The Justice40 Accelerator supports climate and environmental justice organizations in building their capacity, partnerships, and readiness to access government funding to implement community-designed solutions. It was launched in 2021 by Elevate, Groundswell, Hummingbird Firm, Partnership for Southern Equity, and The Solutions Project and is implemented in partnership with Climate Innovation. Learn more.

Coalition and Teaming Opportunities: Many current funding opportunities encourage partnerships between organizations serving disadvantaged communities and small businesses or universities. Learn about American-Made Challenges, which offer cash prizes for a range of clean energy projects, or the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, which offers grants for R&D and requires small businesses to collaborate with a research institution.