This past April, we had the honor of welcoming the EJ Disrupt Design Fellowship (EJDD) to our land, Borikén (Puerto Rico). As EJDD host committee chairs and tech coach, this experience was a collective invocation of memory, place, ancestry, and shared struggle across waters and generations.

From June 23-28, the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) will host the Global Women’s Assembly for Climate Justice: Path to COP30 and Beyond—a free, virtual gathering bringing together over 125 women and gender diverse leaders from 50 countries. This global convening will include 25 panels across 6 days, spotlighting powerful, community-rooted solutions and strategies to the climate crisis.

By telling the story of Community First Fund’s innovative approach, we highlight the outcomes of their efforts and provide a replicable model and blueprint for others to follow—especially for those with the resources to do this work in the next four years. As the landscape of federal policy and investments continues to evolve, recent gains in support for environmental justice projects are already being threatened. The continued implementation of the federal Thriving Communities programs will undoubtedly face hurdles, necessitating further support and engagement with EJ groups and communities. 

We hope this research report reflects recent achievements and calls on all EJ advocates to keep the momentum going. In this challenging new era, we must ensure that our stories inform and transform the policies and practices that affect our lives and our planet.