This funding opportunity seeks to fund the next iteration of the Southeast New England Program Technical Assistance Network (SNEP). The SNEP Network began in Fall 2019 to provide regionally customized training, consultation, and other services to help municipalities, Tribes and other communities better assess and address critical environmental management needs, and ultimately build local capacity to develop and undertake environmental projects on their own. The Network accomplishes this by offering assistance and training to local communities, Tribes, and environmental organizations to improve financial and environmental decision making, project design and implementation, stormwater management, and watershed restoration planning. Information about the current SNEP Network can be found here https://snepnetwork.org.

Through this opportunity, SNEP seeks to continue and enhance the functions of the SNEP Network from FFY2025 to FFY2029 (inclusive). Applicants should demonstrate their ability, and describe their approach, to further the principles on which the Network was founded and manage a regional program that addresses the priorities listed in Section I.C of this RFA. Applications should describe the applicant’s understanding of the Region, coastal watersheds, regional governmental and non-governmental institutions, and local environmental concerns, including infrastructure challenges as well as the needs of disadvantaged communities. In addition, the applicant should describe their plans to provide essential SNEP Network services, including their plans to solicit and obtain appropriate expertise through subawards and/or contracts (if needed), and foster innovations and best practices within the SNEP region.

Ultimately, all work funded or conducted by the SNEP Network is in furtherance of the SNEP Strategic Plan. The Plan lays out the three broad goals of working towards (1) a resilient ecosystem of safe and healthy waters, (2) thriving watersheds and natural lands, and (3) sustainable communities. To achieve those goals, the Plan suggests five priority actions of (1) increasing local capacity, (2) increasing available restoration/protection solutions, (3) ensuring diverse representation, (4) demonstrating ways to address common challenges, and (5) increasing local buy-in by working with community leaders. The grant funded through this RFA should incorporate all three goals using any/all of the five priority actions. Applicants must explain how their project fits within these elements of the SNEP’s Strategic Plan.