Climate Justice and Sustainability Hub Grant Program

Announcing the Fall 2024 Grant Recipients 

The Climate Justice and Sustainability Hub at Northeastern University funds innovative projects across the global network that help advance the goals, strategies, and actions in Northeastern’s Climate Justice Action Plan. The grants aim to foster community engagement, reduce environmental impacts, and promote equitable research and teaching practices.  

This is the second round of grants distributed from the Hub. Last spring the Hub awarded six grants to support projects ranging from waste reduction and sustainability outreach to an educational tribal walk and sustainable purchasing conference.  

Victoria Williams, Wellness Program Specialist at the Vancouver campus, used grant funds to offer two Indigenous Ecological nature walks providing insight into local Indigenous ecological education. “Through these guided walks hosted by Talaysay Tours,” Williams says, “participants gained a deeper cultural awareness, explored Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) systems, and learned about Indigenous land stewardship practices, strengthening the connection between our campus and local Indigenous communities.” 

This fall, the program has grown with 10 awardees supporting the initiatives described below. The Hub opens applications twice a year in September and March. You can learn more about the Grant Program here.   

Grant Recipients

Canny CANIE Spending

Department: Global Experience Office, Boston

Description: Supporting the CANIE Accord climate commitments by implementing sustainable office initiatives and student engagement programming on the impacts of travel on climate change within the Global Experience Office. 

Community in Motion: The Means to Engage Sustainably 

Department: Community Service and Civic Engagement, Boston 

Description: Supporting community engagement by providing pre-paid Charlie Cards and annual Bluebikes memberships to reduce transportation barriers for student volunteers. 

Community Partnerships and Collaboration at Northeastern London 

Department: NU London 

Description: Supporting community partnerships that will help develop a road map to a Sustainability Leadership Programme at NU L, which will be co-created with community partners.  

 

Developing a Culture of Sustainability in First-Year Engineering 

Department: College of Engineering, Boston 

Description: Integrating sustainability into the First-Year Engineering program through classroom initiatives, makerspace activities, and social media campaigns, emphasizing material reuse and recycling.

 

Hiring a Roux Housing Sustainability Ambassador 

Department: Roux Institute

Description: Appointing a Sustainability Ambassador to lead student-led projects and activities, fostering sustainable and interconnected living environments on the Roux Institute campus. 

 

Hydrate like a Husky Pledge 

Department: NU Vancouver 

Description: Encouraging students to use reusable containers by distributing branded bottles and launching a pledge campaign to reduce single-use plastics on campus. 

 

Launch of the CSSH Sustainability Champions 

Department: College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Boston 

Description: Recruiting Sustainability Champions in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities to lead initiatives promoting sustainability through education, outreach and action. 

 

Orchard Gardens School Food Forest 

Department: NU Arboretum, Boston 

Description: Establishing a food forest at Orchard Gardens K-8 School in Roxbury, in collaboration with Boston campus Arboretum staff and local community, to promote ecological education, foster, community engagement, and revitalize a beloved greenway by planting native species and heritage fruit varieties. 

Reusable Utensils 

Department: Office of Academic Advising, College of Professional Studies, Boston 

Description: Promoting sustainability in the Office of Academic Advising by providing reusable utensils and encouraging reductions in single-use plastics during staff meals. 

Revitalize the Oakland Campus Trail Network 

Department: NU Oakland 

Description: Enhancing the Pinetop Fitness Trail by maintaining trails, improving signage, and highlighting the campus’s natural and horticultural heritage.