A new equity-focused prize competition to accelerate decarbonization and support community driven clean energy solutions has been launched by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

As part of the Inclusive Energy Innovation prize series, the American-Made Challenge supports development between community-based organizations to address energy challenges. This competitionSource: American-Made Challenge/DOE specifically addresses stakeholder requests for resourcing community-based organizations to identify and coordinate activities that address local energy issues. Resolving the disproportional climate impact on underserved communities is an integral part of the current administration’s plan to foster an equitable transition to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The $1.5 million Community Clean Energy Coalition Prize encourages stakeholder input on the need for direct investment in community-based organizations to achieve community solutions for clean energy supply. The program seeks to bolster participation in clean energy and climate-smart job training and job placement/hiring, including efforts that target participation from disadvantaged communities. Workforce training could cover identifying energy efficiencies and greenhouse gas inventories, renewable energy manufacturing and deployment.

Submissions are accepted through May 2023.