96275300
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Description: This agreement provides funding under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to El Departamento de la Comida (El Depa).
Specifically, this project has three initiatives: community education and workforce development, a climate resilience hub, and intergenerational waterway restoration.
El Departamento de la Comida and partners will implement nature-based solutions of riparian restoration to address vulnerabilities and enhance watershed resilience; install energy-efficient upgrades to critical infrastructure to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhance resilience; introduce educational programs to build adaptive capacity and community engagement within their community; administer community composting to reduce food waste and support local biodiversity; and train staff and community members in watershed stewardship to ensure sustainable management of water resources and pollution reduction.
Activities: The activities include implementing green infrastructure and nature-based solutions, upgrading buildings to make them energy efficient, establishing a community resilience hub, reducing organic waste, establishing workforce development programs, community education and trainings, and reducing pollution and increasing the resiliency of waterways.
Subrecipient: Subawardees will: transition small and medium farms from industrial to regenerative agriculture practices; promote agriculture, environmental conservation, the responsible use of natural spaces, and autonomy, in service of empowering the community to participate in cooperative and communal sustainability; transform the Mercedes Palma School into a multifaceted hub that serves as a beacon of resilience and development for the region; provide education and training to the community on solar panels and energy storage solutions; hold stewardship over the disused Mercedes Palma School building and facilitate the restoration of the building by El Depa, transforming it into a Resiliencia Hub; lead environmental and arts-based popular education campaigns, supporting the residents of Caguas in advancing climate justice organizing efforts.
Outcomes: The anticipated deliverables include: a vulnerability map of the community; increased native species along watershed waterways; planting 200 shade trees annually; installation of rainwater collection systems; installation of interpretation stops along trails; renovating and restoring the Mercedes Palma Secondary School as a resilient community building; upgrading project sites with solar and battery systems; solar refrigeration at select project sites; an agricultural education center, native tree nursery, and organic composting site; educational classes and activities for youth; delivering disaster preparedness, stormwater management, flood preparedness, organic farming, and climate adaptation trainings; converting produce that would normally go to waste; transition small and medium farms from industrial to regenerative agricultural practices and train farmers to transition to organic and agroecological farming; developing an agroecological workforce trained in GHG reduction and water protection strategies; workforce training program; and trainings on planting native plants, collecting data, and monitoring water along the watershed; creation of educational materials that translate highly technical protocols into accessible language and formats.
The expected outcomes include: mitigating risks of landslides; decreased erosion; reforestation; increased resilience to extreme weather and climate events; more equitable access to community resources; increased community connectivity and safety; increased consumption of traditional, locally produced foods; decreased reliance on resource-intensive, non-native crops; increased engagement of communities in stewarding lands and waters; increased community awareness of emergency preparedness; community-convening spaces to provide educational activities and resources.
Specifically, this project has three initiatives: community education and workforce development, a climate resilience hub, and intergenerational waterway restoration.
El Departamento de la Comida and partners will implement nature-based solutions of riparian restoration to address vulnerabilities and enhance watershed resilience; install energy-efficient upgrades to critical infrastructure to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhance resilience; introduce educational programs to build adaptive capacity and community engagement within their community; administer community composting to reduce food waste and support local biodiversity; and train staff and community members in watershed stewardship to ensure sustainable management of water resources and pollution reduction.
Activities: The activities include implementing green infrastructure and nature-based solutions, upgrading buildings to make them energy efficient, establishing a community resilience hub, reducing organic waste, establishing workforce development programs, community education and trainings, and reducing pollution and increasing the resiliency of waterways.
Subrecipient: Subawardees will: transition small and medium farms from industrial to regenerative agriculture practices; promote agriculture, environmental conservation, the responsible use of natural spaces, and autonomy, in service of empowering the community to participate in cooperative and communal sustainability; transform the Mercedes Palma School into a multifaceted hub that serves as a beacon of resilience and development for the region; provide education and training to the community on solar panels and energy storage solutions; hold stewardship over the disused Mercedes Palma School building and facilitate the restoration of the building by El Depa, transforming it into a Resiliencia Hub; lead environmental and arts-based popular education campaigns, supporting the residents of Caguas in advancing climate justice organizing efforts.
Outcomes: The anticipated deliverables include: a vulnerability map of the community; increased native species along watershed waterways; planting 200 shade trees annually; installation of rainwater collection systems; installation of interpretation stops along trails; renovating and restoring the Mercedes Palma Secondary School as a resilient community building; upgrading project sites with solar and battery systems; solar refrigeration at select project sites; an agricultural education center, native tree nursery, and organic composting site; educational classes and activities for youth; delivering disaster preparedness, stormwater management, flood preparedness, organic farming, and climate adaptation trainings; converting produce that would normally go to waste; transition small and medium farms from industrial to regenerative agricultural practices and train farmers to transition to organic and agroecological farming; developing an agroecological workforce trained in GHG reduction and water protection strategies; workforce training program; and trainings on planting native plants, collecting data, and monitoring water along the watershed; creation of educational materials that translate highly technical protocols into accessible language and formats.
The expected outcomes include: mitigating risks of landslides; decreased erosion; reforestation; increased resilience to extreme weather and climate events; more equitable access to community resources; increased community connectivity and safety; increased consumption of traditional, locally produced foods; decreased reliance on resource-intensive, non-native crops; increased engagement of communities in stewarding lands and waters; increased community awareness of emergency preparedness; community-convening spaces to provide educational activities and resources.
Funding Goals
1 - CORE MISSION 1.3 - REVITALIZE LAND AND PREVENT CONTAMINATION 2 - TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS 2.1 - PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS AT THE FEDERAL, TRIBAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Caguas,
Puerto Rico
United States
Geographic Scope
City-Wide
Related Opportunity
Analysis Notes
Termination This project grant was reported as terminated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in July 2025. See All
Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been shortened from 02/16/28 to 05/02/25.
Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been shortened from 02/16/28 to 05/02/25.
Departamento De La Comida De Puerto Rico was awarded
IRA Funding for El Depa's Green Resilience Initiatives
Project Grant 96275300
worth $11,914,745
from EPA Region 2: New York City in February 2025 with work to be completed primarily in Caguas Puerto Rico United States.
The grant
was awarded through assistance program 66.616 Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant Program.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program.
Status
(Complete)
Last Modified 6/5/25
Period of Performance
2/17/25
Start Date
5/2/25
End Date
Funding Split
$11.9M
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$11.9M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to 96275300
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
96275300
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Nonprofit With 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other Than An Institution Of Higher Education)
Awarding Office
68HF02 REGION 2 (GRANTS OFFICE)
Funding Office
68R000 REGION 2 (FUNDING OFFICE)
Awardee UEI
FAN4ZMDTP588
Awardee CAGE
8NFG3
Performance District
PR-98
Modified: 6/5/25