The Department's Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program (UGCG) offers funding to distressed municipalities, targeted investment communities, registered non-profit organizations, and environmental justice communities in Connecticut. The program's core mission aligns with promoting environmental education and public enjoyment of green spaces within urban settings. This includes the development of new community gardens, the enhancement of existing open spaces for public use, and the creation of green infrastructure. The foundation's strategic priority is to support projects that significantly benefit urban communities in close proximity to population centers, fostering a theory of change that improved access to green spaces leads to enhanced public well-being and environmental literacy.
The target beneficiaries of the UGCG program are primarily residents of distressed municipalities, targeted investment communities, and environmental justice communities within Connecticut. The impact goals are centered around creating, enhancing, or restoring public urban community gardens and green spaces. This contributes to the broader objective of increasing open space in urban areas and providing accessible sites for environmental education and passive recreation. The program prioritizes projects that demonstrate clear public access and enjoyment, ensuring that the benefits reach a wide segment of the community.
The program focuses on funding a variety of eligible expenses, including materials like lumber, soil, mulch, and native plantings, as well as professional services from architects and engineers. It also supports the purchase of minor outdoor structures such as garden sheds, picnic tables, and benches, and non-powered hand tools. Expected outcomes include the establishment of new community gardens, the revitalization of neglected urban areas into public green spaces, and the implementation of green infrastructure solutions like rain gardens and bioswales. Measurable results would involve the number of new or enhanced green spaces, the types of green infrastructure implemented, and the level of community engagement in these projects.
The UGCG program emphasizes a match share reimbursement model, requiring applicants to secure 50% of the anticipated total project cost. This approach ensures community investment and broadens the financial capacity for projects. Furthermore, strict eligibility requirements prevent funding for commercial activities, active recreation development (e.g., dog parks, athletic fields), or projects on land acquired through eminent domain, reinforcing the program's focus on public, passive green space development. This ensures that the grants directly contribute to the creation of accessible, environmentally beneficial urban spaces for the intended beneficiaries.
