Institute for Sustainable Communities

The Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) is an international nonprofit organization that focuses on community-based solutions to reduce greenhouse gas pollution. By sharing international best practices and experience, providing technical expertise and training, and building the capacity of local organizations, ISC ensures that these solutions are sustainable. This award supports ISC to work with enterprise owners in three micro, small and medium-sized enterprise cluster regions - defined as a concentration of enterprises producing the same or similar products of strategic services and situated within a contiguous geographical area, facing common opportunities and threats. ISC will work with one cluster in each of three Indian states to make just and sustainable transitions to a clean energy future. This work builds on learnings from an earlier phase where ISC supported Small and Medium Enterprises in India’s largest textile-export manufacturing cluster to transition successfully to clean energy practices with support from local institutions. 

The Institute for Sustainable Communities helps communities address environmental, economic, and social challenges by deploying expert advice and encouraging local, multi-sectoral partnerships. India’s economic growth strategies, coupled with its recent commitments to reduce overall energy intensity as part of the Paris Accord, position businesses and industry for increased innovation, investment, and regulatory attention. The Institute, in partnership with government ministries, universities, and business associations, will accelerate uptake of the most promising cleantech solutions appropriate for small and medium-sized enterprises, which consume nearly half of all energy used by industry and produce a significant amount of the country’s total annual greenhouse gas emissions. The grant supports sharing case studies about promising cleantech solutions, promoting industry-leading energy management practices, and enhancing the financial literacy of businesses and their lenders about the economic value of energy efficiency improvements.

The Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) provides individuals with the tools and skills needed to generate active citizenship, protect the environment, and address climate change. This award supports the American Society of Adaptation Professionals (ASAP), the first professional network for climate adaptation leaders to interact, share lessons, and collaborate with their colleagues. This award supports ASAP to implement its networking activities, while reducing reliance on the services and support of ISC and becoming a fully functional and sustainably funded organization.

The Institute of Sustainable Communities (ISC) provides individuals with the tools and skills needed to generate active citizenship, protect the environment, and address climate change. ISC will institutionalize the American Society of Adaptation Professionals (ASAP), which currently exists as an informal but fast growing network of climate adaptation practitioners. The purpose is to build professional capacity in North America, including federal, state and local government agencies, to take effective, collaborative action to better understand, prepare for, and manage the risks associated with climate disruption.

To support sustainable community development in four model communities in Bulgaria and Hungary.