Climate Showcase Communities
Local Climate and Energy Program
Effective Practices for Implementing Local
Climate and Energy Programs:
Identifying and Working with Experts
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?
Expert individuals and organizations can help programs tap into knowledge and experience
in program design and implementation, as well as helping them to evaluate program
success.
WHY DO IT?
• Experts can help programs evaluate resources, assets, opportunities, and effectiveness.
• Experts can provide technical information and help produce documents, guides, case
studies, and other resources.
• Experts can help programs save money and time, build experience, and avoid
reinventing the wheel.
• Experts can help programs build credibility.
WHAT WORKS?
• Utilize local universities, colleges, and community colleges.
• Tap into government technical assistance programs.
• Get multiple opinions if an idea is new or controversial.
WHAT SHOULD YOU WATCH OUT FOR?
• Experts can be enthusiastic, but be mindful of availability and get agreement on
timelines and priorities.
• Avoid jargon. Ensure that any experts you enlist are able to fluently communicate their
knowledge with a range of community members without using jargon and acronyms.
WHAT RESOURCES HAVE PROJECTS FOUND TO BE USEFUL?
• SCORE (formerly known as the Service Corps of Retired Executives)—Volunteers with
business skills: www.score.org
'
"Experts and academics
can help to evaluate
program effectiveness or
messaging."
Kate, Sustainable
Transportation for a Sustainable
Future, Salt Lake City, Utah
"Experts can help you save
time that might have been
spent doing research."
Climate Showcase Communities
project lead
ŁEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
April 2015
EPA-430-F-15-013
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