Ethiopian Business Delegation Visits Harlem’s Economic Development Leaders 

By Anasa Scott- Laude

Though it is quite warm as I am writing this, Summer has officially ended. I have a lot to say about recent climate events but I will keep this message upbeat. 

I was honored to join Harlem CDC and NY Women’s Chamber of Commerce for a meeting with a delegation of business leaders from Ethiopia. Highlights of the meeting at Harlem CDC headquarters included the efforts of Chambers of Commerce across Ethiopia seeking to expand the role of women in trade, expand trade relations through strategic alliances with important commercial hubs in the city and address the impact of climate change on the nation’s livelihood and agriculture. Ethiopia is the world’s largest producer and export of coffee and we learned about the many layers of social, environmental and economic issues along the supply chain.

Quenia Abreu, Executive Director of the NY Women’s Chamber of Commerce (I serve as a board member) shared the organization’s best practices in advocacy and training for minority women in business. The chamber has hosted delegations from Asia and South America and was instrumental in establishing a Women’s Chamber of Commerce in Chile. 

Curtis Archer, Executive Director of Harlem CDC shared highlights of the organization’s programs supporting small businesses and the development of the Victoria Theater, a mixed-use development with affordable housing, the theater and other commercial uses. 

I spoke of ILE’s work supporting developers with implementing green features in their developments, working with clients on projects in the pipeline. The delegation was especially interested in our work in East Africa, supporting social entrepreneurs focused on climate change adaptation. We have been honored to work with young leaders in Uganda who are innovating solutions for food security, especially among women and girls. We hope to forge a partnership to support some of the emerging women-led businesses in Ethiopia’s coffee trade. 

Other News

African leaders will be in town for the US Africa Trade event in NYC. Mayor Adams will be hosting delegations from Africa to discuss business opportunities. ILE has been working with organizers behind the scenes and we hope to be able to attend at least one of the sessions if time permits. 

These engagements will be key in devising shared solutions on climate change and the economy for our collective prosperity.

Speaking of climate change …. Climate week is here and we will be sharing some tools and templates for engaging staff and community in the ever so complex but much needed green transition. Since I have been sitting in on a number of construction and finance meetings, I found myself struggling to keep up with all of the regs and fund application requirements for green financing and I would like to make that process easier for you!

Until then, wishing you all a joyous early Fall season with your loved ones!

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Video: Case Study of Community-led and Innovation Resilience 

ILE Strategies is excited to share the work of our fellow Patrick Mujuzi founder of Ghetto Research Lab. Patrick is co-designing innovative solutions for climate change resiliency and economic mobility in the slums of Uganda.

Special thanks to Nandyowa Joanita for leading GRL’s digital marketing strategy, to the Aga Khan Foundation and Early Years Foundation for supporting GRL’s work.

 

 

 

The Inflation Reduction Act could result in funding for community based organizations to make housing and neighborhoods healthier, more sustainable and economically viable. 

IRA also help put us within reach of our nation’s climate commitment to cut carbon pollution by 50% by 2030 to prevent further global warming – and climate conditions that could many of us at risk.

At ILE we share the concern that many climate change activists have expressed about allocations in the bill to further fossil fuel production. However, if we take advantage of the investments we have been offered, we can work to offset the negatives. We can protect our communities and get the resources we need to adapt to the climate change already upon us while also doing our part to mitigate GHG and reduce further harm. – Harm that is disproportionately felt by low-income communities and communities of color, aptly known as “frontline communities”. 

So how can you access IRA funds?

At ILE Strategies have some experience in the climate change and community-development funding landscape. Our work as included securing and managing federal funds as well as working on community-university partnerships on climate change and environmental justice.  

Drawing from our experience here are some tips: 

1. Review your current programs and planned projects and look for ways to integrate climate mitigation and adaptation, contact the corresponding local, state and federal agency for opportunities for funding. The Justice40 initiative seeks to improve allocation of federal funds by prioritizing zip codes with predominantly low-income populations.

The White House Council on Environmental Equality has convened several meetings and has assembled a network of grassroots environmental justice experts as well as scientists and foundations to help guide community based organizations through the federal contracting process.

2. Partner with local environmental justice, ESG finance experts, climate change researchers including academic partners to build capacity and amplify your efforts collectively.

3. Submit a well-designed, evidence-based proposal to appropriate government agencies.

4. Publicize and promote your efforts to keep your community informed and to attract more stakeholders and support. The more of us working together and aligning our efforts, the greater our chances in successfully reducing GHGs and making our communities and planet safer for many generations into the future.

ILE Strategies Background in Climate Resiliency, Sustainable Economic Development: 

Our co-founder, Anasa, spent 20 years securing public and private funding for sustainable community development and has served 15 years in academia teaching and leading campus-community based partnerships on climate and economic resiliency projects. She is a featured lecturer on the internationally renowned Healthy Affordable Housing course online developed by the Healthy Materials Lab (HML)  at New School University/ Parsons School of Design Strategies. In addition to supporting fund development, Anasa has also facilitated sustainable building management training and conferences with WeACT for Environmental Justice, NYC Department of Environmental Protection, SolarOne and a host of other partners.

Contact ILE Strategies to explore opportunities to support your resource development efforts in building climate resilient communities. #

Image: Wildfires, dangerous floods and extreme heat. The impact of climate change has been felt across the globe. 

 

Back in August Anasa Laude our Managing Partner shared a post on medium about the billions of dollars in unspent federal funding allocated for climate mitigation, resiliency and post-disaster recovery. 

We have an upcoming forum with key leaders in New York to discuss these challenges. Stay tuned. 

In the meantime check out our short post on medium.