Coalition - California Climate and Energy Collaborative

Barrier 5: Coalition & Partnership Challenges

Barrier Statement

When coalitions and partnerships lack alignment, conflict resolution, or sustained support, competing agendas and power imbalances erode trust, displace local groups, and weaken long-term collaboration.

Filterable Database

How communities are experiencing this barrier

View the details on what communities have shared with SLECC from across the state.

Key challenge discussed in - Los Angeles

Conflict management gaps: Coalitions rarely budget for mediation, facilitation, or capacity to resolve disputes. Without this, relationships deteriorate and momentum is lost

Key challenge discussed in - Los Angeles

Displacement by larger organizations: Local CBOs are sometimes replaced by external partners brought in by funders or foundations, undermining 10–20 years of relationship-building

Key challenge discussed in - Los Angeles

Competing priorities: Different actors (utilities, local governments, nonprofits, universities) approach engagement with conflicting agendas, undermining shared climate goals

Key challenge discussed in - Los Angeles

Coalition fatigue: In 5-year Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) grants, community collaboration is strong during planning but collapses during implementation as groups retreat to their own deliverables. Even within coalitions like Living Schoolyards, conflict often requires outside mediation

Local Solution Opportunities

SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by local leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.

Local Solution

Foster coalitions between local governments, CDFIs, EJ groups, and housing orgs to pursue funding opportunities.

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Los Angeles

Local Solution

Provide training for coalition members in conflict resolution and collaborative governance

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Los Angeles

Local Solution

Fund third-party facilitators/mediators to manage coalition conflicts and sustain trust

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Los Angeles

State Solution Opportunities

SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by state leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.

State Solution

Provide neutral third-party facilitators or project managers as part of state-funded coalition efforts

Existing Examples of Progress:

Living Schoolyards Coalition: A coalition of multiple organizations dedicated to schoolyard greening and transparency in partnerships. The coalition has maintained collaboration but highlighted the need for third-party mediation to sustain trust when conflicts arise

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Los Angeles

State Solution

Support regional collaboration models (shared housing/energy trust funds, pooled RHNA credits) through technical and financial assistance

Existing Examples of Progress:

GRID Alternatives, Move LA etc. - TCC collaborative planning phase: In several TCC projects, the planning phase produced high levels of collaboration and community input. This was cited as a best practice in design, even though sustaining momentum during implementation proved difficult

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Los Angeles

State Solution

Require coalition governance structures (mediation procedures, conflict resolution protocols) in state-funded collaboratives

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Los Angeles

Solution Spotlight

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Additional Resources

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