Innovation Network For Communities

Programs: Inc staffs the boston green ribbon commission. The mission of the green ribbon commission (grc) is to convene leaders from boston's key sectors business, education, health care, civic society, finance, real estate, professional services, tourism and others to support the outcomes of the city's climate action plan. The climate action plan has two primary goals: reduce greenhouse gas emissions (25% by 2020 and 80% by 2050) prepare the city for climate changes (such as sea level rise)the commission plays three important roles in advancing the regional vision for climate action: advise the city on the implementation of its climate action plan. Engage sector leadership in aligning their assets and initiatives to support the plan outcomes. Highlight and promote best practice examples within and across sectors that advance the climate action plan goals.

inc is organizing a network of 17 north american and international cities (the carbon neutral city network) that are committed to aggressive greenhouse gas emissions reductions of 80% or more by 2050 (80x50). Inc's organizational oversight of this collaborative activity includes:- sharing best practices with each other, including how to best integrate aggressive carbon mitigation strategies with climate preparedness strategies. - identifying areas for collaboration in both strategy development and implementation. - developing common messaging to use in their communities and nationally about the value of pursuing these goals. - identifying strategies for creating citizen-based stakeholder outreach and education programs associated with 80x50 plans, including inclusion of and outreach to at-risk communities; and- creating programs for tracking and monitoring that are associated with long-term reduction goals for course correction.

partnering with the urban sustainability directors network, inc provided a number of services. The urban sustainability directors network (usdn) is a rapidly evolving north american network of 100-plus municipal sustainability directors who are on the front lines of addressing climate change and collaborating on local innovations for sustainability, services provided by inc included:1. Designing and /facilitating a strategic planning retreat of the usdn innovation fund steering committee 2. Helping to revise and manage a usdn innovation fund rfp. 3. Conducting other activities of the usdn innovation fund based on the fund's work plan for 2013, including design/analysis of a usdn survey, development of criteria for grants, development of grants for commissioned projects and breakthrough convenings, development of a 2014 innovation fund plan, and ongoing preparation and facilitation of innovation fund steering committee meetings. 4. Producing a "state of urban sustainability innovation" report, for circulation to cities, media, and cities' partners. 5. Attending the usdn annual meeting and provide support as needed by the usdn coordinator. 6. Designing and facilitating a leadership academy for the usdn-affiliated regional networks. Additionally, inc worked with the usdn in developing its capacity to build strategic relationships with key players at the national level - including federal agencies and national non-governmanal organizations - that influence policy and programs that support the role of cities in developing and implementing urban sustainability innovations.

inc's other program services included partnerships and consulting engagements with other various non-profit and governmental agencies in helping formulate initiatives surrounding various educational, enviromental, and health care related issues.