Structural - California Climate and Energy Collaborative

Barrier 6: Structural & Systemic Barriers

Barrier Statement

When systems are rigid, fragmented, or unable to retain knowledge, communities face repeated setbacks as inflexible funding, data silos, and staff turnover erase lessons learned and stall progress.

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 - San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles

High staff turnover erases institutional knowledge and forces communities to continually “start over.” When local governments and CBOs cannot retain staff, past engagement findings and lessons learned are lost, disrupting momentum and requiring repeated rebuilding of relationships and understanding.

Key challenge discussed in - San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles

Rigid state processes and funding structures limit flexibility and hinder community-centered solutions. Bureaucratic timelines, inflexible reporting requirements, and grants locked into pre-set deliverables leave little room to respond to real-world changes—such as cost spikes or staff turnover—constraining adaptive, community-driven work.

Key challenge discussed in - San Francisco Bay Area

Fragmented interagency coordination. Different state, regional, and local agencies operate in silos, causing duplication and inconsistent expectations.

Key challenge discussed in - Los Angeles

Data inequities: While quantitative data is widely shared across agencies, qualitative data (community stories, feedback) is siloed and rarely reused, even though it could inform other programs

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

Create shared definitions and standards for equitable engagement. Addresses inconsistency across agencies and partners.

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): San Francisco Bay Area

Local Solution

Provide state/local training to build institutional knowledge and reduce turnover impacts. Training enables continuity even when staff changes.

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): San Francisco Bay Area

Local Solution

Encourage reuse of past community input and needs assessments to prevent redundant engagement and fatigue

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

Integrate diversity management plans and oversight in state procurement contracts to ensure inclusive subcontracting

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Los Angeles

State Solution

Require professional project managers on large-scale state-funded community projects (as is already standard in federal procurement)

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Los Angeles

State Solution

Provide technical assistance grants to smaller cities and rural jurisdictions to level the playing field

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Los Angeles

Solution Spotlight

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Additional Resources

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