Climate Showcase Communities
      Local Climate and Energy Program
                                   Effective Practices for Implementing Local
                                   Climate and  Energy  Programs:
                                   Conducting and Evaluating Pilot Projects
   Lessons Learned by Communities for Communities
   The views expressed in this document are those of the Climate Showcase Communities grant recipients. U.S. EPA does not endorse any
   products or commercial services mentioned.
WHAT IS IT?
Pilot projects are an opportunity to "test the waters" for your project on a small scale, provide
insight and data on what works, and adjust your strategy for full-scale implementation.
WHY DO IT?
•  Pilots provide data and lessons for the expansion of sustainability initiatives.
•  It is easier to widen a pilot than to jump into a project all at once.
•  Starting with a small number of pilots allows you to target your services and focus your
   resources.
•  Pilots provide examples for others to emulate and can demonstrate that your idea works.
   They also can be a source of testimonials for a wider roll-out.
•  Data from a pilot establishes a baseline for future projects.

WHAT WORKS?
•  Make sure that everyone involved—from program  staff to participants—knows that it is an
   experiment and that it will be okay if things do network out exactly as planned.
•  Be open to trial and error, but make an effort to create an efficient and effective pilot from
   the get-go.
•  Allow the design of the pilot to be flexible enough to adapt as uptake or information
   increases.
•  Learn from similar projects in your region and use them as a source for what to try and
   what not  to try.
•  Be clear with the public that the pilot project is a valuable and necessary way to get
   questions about the project answered.
WHAT SHOULD YOU WATCH OUT FOR?
•   A pilot may not provide an example to emulate if it falls short of its goals.
•   Making the pilot program relevant to other communities can be a challenge. It can be hard
    to get beyond perceived differences.
•   Don't think too small. Doing a pilot gives you the opportunity to attempt full-scale
    implementation.
•   It can be difficult to run pilots with grants that have short timeframes and need quick
    results.
WHAT RESOURCES HAVE PROJECTS FOUND TO BE USEFUL?
•   Clean Energy Works Portland energy efficiency pilot project:
    wwwl.eere.energv.gov/buildings/betterbuildings/neighborhoods/pdfs/portland pilot
    evaluation research report clean  energy works.pdf
                                       "Acquired data will
                                       establish a baseline for
                                      future projects."

                                       Climate Showcase Communities
                                       project lead


                                       "Don't be afraid to tweak
                                       the program if you see
                                       that it's not working!"

                                       Linsday, Eugene SmartTrips,
                                       Oregon
                United States
                Environmental Protection
                Agency
April 2015
EPA-430-F-15-006

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