EFC is an applied research center that works with communities across the Mid-Atlantic to help advance effective and pragmatic policies, programs, and financing for environmental initiatives. We assist local, state, and federal partners as they seek to improve efficiency and impact, providing actionable recommendations anchored in sound data.
The hallmark of our work is direct engagement to increase capacity around targeted needs. Every project is unique, but our goals are to listen closely to the needs and values of each community, to walk alongside our partners as they navigate challenges, and to equip decision-makers with the tools and resources they need to pursue informed policy, programmatic, and financing actions.
Services
Assistance is available in the following areas. In addition to our own services, we partner with a broad network of organizations across the region and excel in connecting communities with the support they need to achieve their goals.
Technical assistance, education, and training
- Identifying funding/financing opportunities
- Funding application assistance
- Customized training for municipal staff, board members, and others
- Online education course development
- Greenhouse gas inventories
Applied research, policy analysis, financial assessments
- Program and policy evaluation
- Fiscal assessments
- Capital improvement planning
- Budgeting and financial planning
- Rate assessment and setting
- Decision support tools
- Climate action planning
Community outreach and facilitation
- Community engagement
- Designing outreach campaigns
- Facilitating focus groups
- Conducting survey research
- Building consensus around financing and implementation strategies
Focus Areas
UMD EFC’s work spans multiple environmental sectors, with our core programming focused on the following areas.
Climate & Energy
Partnering with local governments and state agencies to conduct resilience planning, integrate climate considerations into existing planning processes and programs, and develop effective resilience financing approaches.
We also specialize in conducting greenhouse gas inventories and analyzing energy consumption at the municipal and institutional scales.
Water
Supporting finance and policy solutions to improve and protect water quality. We offer support across water sectors - drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater - with particular interest in integrating management across sectors to achieve affordable and equitable solutions.
Our flagship MOST Center is a training platform that offers on-demand educational modules on a variety of topics including municipal stormwater management.
Sustainability
Empowering communities to achieve their vision for a healthy, equitable, and sustainable future.
EFC’s flagship Sustainable Maryland program is a primary avenue for equipping and recognizing local sustainability efforts throughout the state.
Agriculture
Supporting rural communities and the agriculture community as they seek to understand and implement strategies that improve environmental outcomes and strengthen profitability.
Green Infrastructure
Assisting communities in implementing green infrastructure approaches at the landscape and site scale, to achieve powerful co-benefits, including cleaner air and water, habitat protection, flood mitigation and economic returns.
See our work in action
UMD EFC has assisted municipalities, state and federal agencies, community organizations, homeowners associations and others in achieving their vision for a healthy and sustainable future. See our past and current projects and publications below.
Let’s connect!
Contact us at efc@umd.edu.