MVP Core Principles

The MVP program has 10 core principles that should be incorporated into MVP applications and projects.

1. Furthering a community identified priority action to address climate change impacts

Projects funded under this program should address one (or more) priority implementation action(s) identified by the community through the original MVP Planning Grant or MVP Planning 2.0 (whichever is most recent).

2. Increasing equitable outcomes for Environmental Justice (EJ) and other priority populations and addressing the root causes of social vulnerability

Projects funded under this program that increase climate resilience for Environmental Justice (EJ) Populations and other priority populations and take steps to address the root causes of inequity will be prioritized. Environmental Justice (EJ) Populations are defined in the 2021 EJ Policy and can be viewed in the MA EJ viewer. Priority populations are people or communities who may be disproportionately impacted by climate change due to life circumstances that systematically increase their exposure to climate hazards or make it harder to respond. In addition to factors that contribute to designation as an EJ Population (i.e., income, race, and language), other factors like physical ability, access to transportation, health status, and age shape whether someone or their community will be disproportionately affected by climate change. Learn more in the Guides for Equitable and Actionable Resilience (GEAR) Community Guide.

3. Building community capacity for climate resilience

Projects funded under this program should, where appropriate, include capacity building activities like fostering relationships between community members or community organizations to increase social resilience, integrating climate resilience thinking into other planning or policy projects, training community members on climate resilience and equity, or engaging students via new climate resilience curricula.

4. Conducting robust community engagement and supporting strong partnerships with EJ and other priority populations

Projects are required to demonstrate robust community engagement as part of the application. Applicants should utilize the MVP Planning 2.0 Engagement Plan guidance and template for building this out. The community liaison model or other partnership building activities with EJ Populations and priority populations are strongly encouraged.

5. Utilizing climate change data for a proactive solution

Projects funded under this program should incorporate climate change projections and data. Climate projections should not only be considered for projects with physical assets, but also in planning or policy review, identifying sites for potential land acquisition, training community members in climate resilience and equity, etc. Quantitative climate data can be found on the ResilientMass Climate Change Clearinghouse resilient.mass.gov, (which includes the ResilientMass Maps and Data Center and the Climate Resilience Design Standards Tool), and/or local-level climate change studies. MVP’s definition of data also includes Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) or other qualitative forms of data like storytelling, interviews, or audiovisual or audio-visual documentation.

6. Employing Nature-Based Solutions (NBS)

NBS are adaptation measures focused on the protection, restoration, and/or management of ecological systems to safeguard public health, provide clean air and water, increase natural hazard resilience, and sequester carbon. Projects focused on NBS do not have to be strictly infrastructure or implementation focused. NBS can be incorporated into policy review, regulatory processes, developing community trainings or school curricula, etc.

7. Achieving broad and multiple community benefits

Projects that maximize climate resilience and provide other co-benefits (e.g., public health, environmental, social, economic, etc.) for many people will receive priority.

8. Committing to monitoring project success and maintaining the project into the future

Projects that proactively set in place mechanisms to (1) measure success over time and (2) maintain the installation or process beyond the life of the grant will receive priority.

9. Utilizing regional solutions for regional benefit

Projects that provide regional climate resilience benefits are prioritized. Regional partnerships of multiple communities are encouraged under the program.

10. Pursuing innovative, transferable approaches

Innovative projects that seek to address critical climate related issues with widespread relevance for many communities are encouraged. See MVP Transferable Tools information page for examples from other MVP action grants.