South LA Eco-Lab project partners gather at a project partner retreat on March 3, 2025
Credit: Momentum Solutions
South LA community organizations mobilized community members and held a Summer Leadership Academy focused on environmental justice advocacy and transformation in South LA. To further their efforts, community-based organizations partnered with the Los Angeles City Planning Department in applying for an initial TCC grant (Round 2 Planning Grant).
A collaboration of LA City Planning and community-based organizations in South LA was awarded $200,000 in a Planning Grant to address economic and environmental sustainability, greenhouse gas reduction, and climate justice in neighborhoods near Metro’s Rail to River Project.
Ongoing community advocacy and the planning grant supported the development of the South LA Climate Commons Plan and the formation of an even broader coalition, known as the South LA Climate Commons Collaborative. The Commons Collaborative translated outcomes from a participatory planning process into three priority investment workgroups that worked towards applying for a larger TCC implementation grant and establishing the South LA Eco-Lab.
Building upon the momentum from their first grant, South LA community organizations successfully applied for a larger grant (Round 4 TCC Implementation Grant). The California Strategic Growth Council awarded Community Partners and the South LA Eco-Lab a $35 million grant to continue their work through 2028.
South LA’s $35 million TCC grant advances previous planning efforts by investing in a suite of projects and plans. South LA Eco-Lab secured an additional $24 million leveraged/matching funds to further the implementation of the community’s vision. Some of the Eco-Lab’s efforts include: energy and water efficiency upgrades, rooftop solar photovoltaic systems, increased tree coverage, improved active transportation infrastructure, and job training opportunities.
Top page photo:
South LA Eco-Lab partners at the project launch 2022
Credit: GRID Alternatives