Coalition and Network Building
Efforts to increase access to energy-efficient and healthy affordable homes will be more effective when people from multiple fields, sectors, and disciplines come together in a strategic and coordinated way. The resources needed are too great and the solutions are too interdependent for one individual, organization, or sector to solve the complex challenges that inhibit access to affordable and healthy homes.
“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.” –Ryunosuke Satoro
EEFA uses the tools of coalition and network building to bring together individuals and organizations with diverse perspectives and expertise to reach common goals. Specifically, Energy Efficiency for All leaders work with partners to build and sustain 12 state coalitions of equity, health, housing, environmental, anti-poverty, and community-based organizations. State partners pool their resources and expertise to achieve greater reach, credibility, and advocacy power than any individual organization acting alone. EEFA supports these coalitions by providing coaching, training, and funding; coordinating coalition activities; conducting research; and providing coalition-building and technical expertise.
EEFA’s Coalition Cookbook is a guide to successful coalition building practices, inspired by the experience of and meant to sustain the work of Energy Efficiency for All.
EEFA has also created the national Network for Energy, Water and Health in Affordable Buildings, or NEWHAB, as a platform for coalition members and diverse sector leaders to convene, learn from one another and develop collective solutions. NEWHAB is a national social impact network leveraging the relationships between individuals, sectors, and policies. It connects multiple sectors including energy, affordable housing, water, health, and social justice and is focused on addressing complex challenges. NEWHAB’s membership totals more than 100 individuals, with an additional 200 allies who work towards a shared purpose.
Priorities
- EEFA partners and allies catalyze and lead the creation and nurturing of diverse, state coalitions and campaigns and a national network.
- A diversity of organizations and impacted communities participate in state coalition and national network activities, planning and strategy.
- Affordable multifamily housing decision makers, including renters, place a high value on energy and water efficiency, clean energy, and health improvements.
- Support for policy priorities grows among a wide spectrum of allies and other movements.
- Effective and powerful advocacy groups lead us all toward a more just society where energy efficiency, energy affordability, and healthy living spaces in affordable housing are commonplace and delivered equitably.
