Funding Priorities - California Climate and Energy Collaborative

Barrier 3: State & Federal Funding Priorities

Barrier Statement

State and federal funding priorities often misalign with local needs, favoring rigid rules, reactive approaches, and shifting policies that undermine innovation, certainty, and community-driven solutions.

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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, Statewide

Shifting political and budget priorities create policy volatility that disrupts implementation and undermines confidence. Changes in leadership or policy direction can abruptly alter program availability, leaving local efforts stranded mid-process and creating uncertainty for local implementers and private partners.

Key challenge discussed in - Los Angeles, Statewide

Top-down state and federal funding priorities are misaligned with local and community needs. Programs often impose predefined metrics, solutions, and timelines, such as agency performance measures, that fail to reflect place-based priorities or implementation realities, undermining community-driven outcomes.

Key challenge discussed in - Los Angeles

Rigid rules separating infrastructure from programming prevent integrated solutions.

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

Pilot locally appropriate approaches even when funding is rigid. Where possible, local entities adapt program delivery within allowable rules to better fit community context.

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Statewide

Local Solution

Document and communicate local priorities clearly and consistently. Local governments proactively articulate shared priorities and constraints so state and federal funders better understand place-based needs.

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Statewide

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

Incentive alignment: Better align funding priorities across federal, state, regional, and local stakeholders to reduce conflicts.

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Los Angeles

State Solution

Ensure funding supports both infrastructure and programming (e.g., upgrades + community education).

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Los Angeles

Solution Spotlight

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Additional Resources

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