Building Equitable Communities with the Sustainable CT Framework
Equitable communities recognize the intrinsic value of each member and the need to connect with everyone, regardless of a person’s race, gender, age, economic status, religious affiliation, or sexual identity.
Sustainable CT believes that our communities can thrive and truly be sustainable only when social equity is achieved; that people’s race, gender, zip code, etc. do not dictate their life outcome.
To build communities that embrace equity, Sustainable CT cities and towns will create a table at which diverse relationships are welcomed and valued, where decisions are made collectively, and where success is measured by the variety of perspectives and experiences represented.
For frequently asked questions on our equity requirement, click HERE.
Sustainable CT Actions: Embracing Equity
Hear from municipal and community partners about their experience with Sustainable CT's equity requirements and opportunities.
Sustainable CT Equity Supports: Help for Your Community
Equity Toolkit:
We walk you and your community through this step-by-step, inclusive process of engagement and co-creation. Watch a short video to hear from municipal representatives about their experience using our Equity Toolkit.
Equity Coaching:
Communities may work one-on-one with a Sustainable CT Equity Coach at no cost. Watch a short video to learn more about the Equity Coaching experience.
Your coaching sessions can be conducted a variety of ways – through phone calls, remotely, or in-person. You will work with your Equity Coach to schedule meetings that are mutually convenient.
Working with a Sustainable CT Equity Coach will help your community achieve the goals of optimizing for equity:
- Broaden community connections and work together.
- Value all voices and include the interests of all members of the community in decision making.
- Create a community where all can thrive and where race, gender, age, economic status, religious affiliation or sexual identity do not determine opportunities or predict outcomes.
- Recognize and embrace the strengths that all community members bring to our cities and towns.
CT Town Equity Reports
Reports are available featuring disaggregated Connecticut town data on social and economic well-being and equity.
Equity Trainings
Sustainable CT is pleased to offer three, three-part virtual equity workshop series in 2023. These events provide a comprehensive framework of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion (REDI). Attendance at all three sessions of a series is required. Content will be geared to help Sustainability Teams integrate equity considerations into their Sustainable CT initiatives. Who should attend? Sustainability Team members (elected officials, municipal staff, commissioners, volunteers) in registered Sustainable CT communities. Attendance at each series is capped at 35. Attendees may not mix and match sessions between series. All sessions run from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET. This will be a live training series and will not be recorded. Please only sign up if you intend to participate for the duration of each session.
Upcoming sessions:
Summer 2023 dates: June 14, July 12, August 3
The Summer 2023 series will include the following sessions:
- Positioning Belonging, Racial Equity, Access, Diversity, & Inclusion (Be READI) as a municipal strategy.
- Assessing your City/Town’s culture.
- And exposing common City/Town barriers to Be READI.
Attendance in any of these workshop series is eligible for points under Action 1.2 Participate in Equity Training.
Please contact [email protected] with any questions.
Can’t attend one of our Sustainable CT Equity Training series? We encourage you to watch this pre-recorded equity training on your own or with your sustainability team. Viewing this recording is not eligible for certification points, but watching this training can provide a solid base of understanding from which to begin your work.
We are grateful to the following supporters of Sustainable CT equity work.