EJ Academy

On this page:

• What is the EJ Academy?
• Who may apply?
• Application
• Information Session Video
• Is there a fee?
• When and where will sessions be held?
• How can I find out more information?

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What is the Environmental Justice Academy?

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, The Kapal Foundation (Kappa House), and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) are partnering to launch the first Environmental Justice (EJ) Academy in Illinois. Through a series of nine modules, EJ Academy participants cultivate skills to show environmental challenges and carry out environmental improvement goals in their communities. The academy encourages collaborative problem-solving with local government, small businesses, academic institutions, and industry to create a shared vision among different stakeholders so that all parts of a community have a voice in addressing local environmental concerns.

The EJ Academy teaches participants:

• To use human, social, intellectual, technical, legal, and financial resources to make long-term progress in a community.
• To use consensus-building processes and skills to help ensure successful collaboration and negotiations.
• To increase ability to address communities’ environmental and/or public health issues.
• A basic understanding of environmental justice and environmental regulations.

Following successful completion of EJ Academy, graduates can expect to complete a community portfolio, which may help

• Name community resources and challenges.
• Establish credibility among stakeholders.
• an action plan to guide organizational activities.
• Name and secure potential partners to help with addressing their challenges.
• with regional community leaders.
• individualized feedback, guidance, and help from a variety of experts, EPA, and other organizations.

Who May Apply

Generally, participation is open to those who live or work in or near the Metro East area.

Community, non-profit and environmental leaders who are engaged and active in their communities and have a vested interest in improving the overall quality of their community are encouraged to apply. Please note, more than one applicant may apply from an organization, but no more than two people will be selected from the same organization or association.

Application

To be considered for selection, applications must be submitted to  R5 EJ Academy (R5environmentaljustice@epa.gov). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until March 1st until attendance cap is met.

NOTICE:  Please observe new modified start date of March 23rd, 2024.

Module dates indicated in the application are tentative and subject to change. Accepted applicants will be notified in advance of changes to scheduling.

Fillable EJ Academy 2023/2024 Application (pdf) (636.21 KB) .  You may need Adobe Reader to view and fill this file. See EPA’s About PDF page to learn more.

Info Session Video

Is there a fee?

• There are no fees related to attendance. Participation stipends will be provided to graduates.
• Lodging will not be provided.
• Some meals and light refreshments will be available at in-person sessions and events.
• A transportation stipend, child-care help, as well as internet and computer help may be available if a need is shown.

When and where will sessions be held?

Learning modules are scheduled as joint sessions each month between January 2024 and October 2024.

• One Wednesday evening virtual session from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• One Saturday in-person session  roughly every 4-6 weeks between March and January of 2025.
• Sessions will be from 5:30 to 8:30 pm on Wednesdays, and 10 am to 4 pm on Saturdays.
• In-person sessions will be held in the Metro East, Il area.

To graduate, participants must attend eight of nine modules and complete other programmatic requirements, including a portfolio and all homework.

How can I find out more information?

For more information, please email R5 EJ Academy (R5environmentaljustice@epa.gov) or Alexa Burnett (burnett.alexa@epa.gov).