The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
Inspire and Mobilize Residents
Inspire and Mobilize Residents
Local governments have a responsibility to serve their community. Part of this involves informing and engaging residents on municipal actions. These actions should not only reflect local values, but also work to motivate community members to join the sustainability movement.
The following provides tangible actions catalyst communities can take to enable a just transition to decarbonization as it pertains to inspiring and mobilizing residents, and coincides with Michigan Green Communities. Relevant resources, webinars, and community examples accompany each action below.
-
Communicate Best Practices
Develop accessible platforms to share relevant community sustainability information. Increase awareness of your jurisdiction's sustainability initiatives by implementing community outreach and education campaigns. Likewise, help residents take their own actions by creating user-friendly websites or social media pages.
Resources:
- Green Communications Toolkit
- Decarbonization and Electrification Engagement
- A Communication Strategy for Home Energy Rating Disclosures
- Effective Public Engagement through Strategic Communication
- Climate Communication for Local Governments
- Effective Practices for Implementing Local Climate and Energy Programs: Effective Messaging
- Climate Communications and Behavior Change: A Guide for Practitioners
Community Examples:
-
Inspire Action
Encourage residents to implement sustainability projects on their own and with the municipality to support the community's sustainability goals. This could be achieved by establishing a "green" volunteer group and/or giving awards/incentives to residents, organizations, and businesses who take significant steps toward improving their community's sustainability or resiliency.
Resources:
- Recruiting and Training Volunteers
- Effective Practices for Implementing Local Climate and Energy Programs: Award and Certificate Programs
- Effective Practices for Implementing Local Climate and Energy Programs: Incentive Techniques
Community Examples:
- City of Ann Arbor Get Involved in Sustainability
- City of Philadelphia, PA Greenworks on the Ground Checklist for Individuals
- Village of Hawthorn Woods, IL Green Business Program
- City of Livonia Greenleaf Award
- Monroe County Environmental Fund Grant Program
- City of Rockford Become a Green Leader Program
-
Meaningful Community Engagement
Proactively include residents in planning for sustainability projects and developing policies and practices that best suit the needs of the community. This means going beyond the public participation requirements to reach more members of the community and give them the opportunity to take an active role in the decision-making process. Meaningful community engagement will not only help shape sustainability initiatives, but also improve public involvement in such initiatives.
Resources:
- Community Engagement Planning Guide
- Inclusive Public Engagement
- Creating a Community & Stakeholder Engagement Plan
- Equitable Community Economic Development Assessment Tools Manual
- Engaging Socially Vulnerable Communities and Communicating about Climate Change
- Capacity Building through Effective Meaningful Engagement: A Tool for Local and State Governments
- EPA's Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Model
Webinars & Workshops:
Community Examples:
- How Might the City of Grand Rapids Equitable Pursue Climate Vulnerability Engagement?
- Neighborhood Environmental Action Report: Health, Environment and Race in Grand Rapids
- City of Royal Oak Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Community Forum, Survey, and Workgroup
- City of Minneapolis, MN Blueprint for Equitable Community Engagement
- Promoting Sustainable Energy Engagement in Traverse City
- Chicago Cumulative Impact Assessment: Initial Community Input Summary