The International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) USA awarded Metro the IAP2 USA Core Values Award in the Respect for Diversity, Inclusion and Culture Category for their Nature in Neighborhoods community choice grants program.
“Metro’s community choice grants put community members in the lead to imagine, design, and choose parks and nature projects through a participatory process. This year, Metro invested over $2 million to fund community-led parks and nature projects that benefit communities of color, Indigenous communities, people with low incomes, and other historically underserved. The projects will connect people to nature close to home, restore habitat, and improve climate resilience, making a better region for everyone,” said Gabrielle Brown, the community choice grants program manager.
Crista Gardner, who manages the 2019 parks and nature bone capital grants program, which include the community choice grants, said, "Participatory grantmaking is not a new concept, it's rooted in community organizing. Our public engagement was intentionally designed through a year of scoping and pre-planning the project, including research, joining an international community of practice, determining the legal and fiscal parameters, navigating political and advocacy interests, and expanding our team. We are so thankful for this successful participatory process that built upon the collaborative expertise and knowledge of our Washington County partners and consultant team."
Metro serves more than 1.7 million people in Oregon’s greater Portland area. Metro manages the region’s garbage and recycling system, protects clean water and air at more than 18,000 acres of parks and natural areas, oversees long-range planning across 24 cities and three counties, and is supporting construction of more than 4,000 affordable homes region-wide with more on the way. Metro’s parks and nature department manages 16 parks, purchases and restores natural areas, and provides grants to community organizations and local jurisdictions for nature education, restoration and stewardship, and nature-based capital projects. This parks and nature work is possible because of more than 25 years of consistent voters’ support for bonds and levies.
“Metro’s project was selected for its effective implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in both the program design and the funding process. The project focused on marginalized communities by employing engagement tactics designed to break down access and systemic barriers, shifting the narrative on how grantmaking can be meaningfully and effectively pursued in their local communities by providing translation services, hosting events in community spaces, and other community-appropriate activities,” said Josh Stepherson, IAP2 USA Board President. This approach ensured participation from people living with disabilities, families, youth, seniors, and others typically excluded from the design of parks and natural spaces.”
The IAP2 Core Values Awards are presented each year to projects that best exemplify IAP2’s guiding principles. Winners received their award at the IAP2 North American Conference in Ottawa, Ontario on October 24, 2024.