Norfolk, VA, April 15, 2024 –LISC Hampton Roads in partnership with RISE, and supported by Sentara Health, today announced the launch of the Community Resilience Innovation Challenge, a pioneering initiative with a grant pool of $1 million aimed at enhancing the resilience of underserved coastal communities.

Home to more than 128 million in the U.S., coastal communities are vital to the nation’s economy — contributing significantly to jobs, wages, and the GDP. However, these areas are increasingly facing complex economic, social, and environmental challenges exacerbated by urbanization and climate change. The most affected are the underserved and marginalized residents who are disproportionately exposed to various risks, including flooding, urban heat islands, and socio-economic insecurities.

Challenge Objectives

The Community Resilience Innovation Challenge seeks innovative solutions to address the multifaceted vulnerabilities faced by these communities. The goal is to enhance resilience by implementing practical solutions that have a measurable and positive impact. A total of $1 million in funding and support is available for winners to test and scale their solutions in the Hampton Roads region, including the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

Focus Areas for Solutions

The Challenge follows a vibrant community workshop held in June to gather feedback from more than 70 stakeholders, experts, and community members. The group worked to define the largest threats to community resilience, and distilled their findings into four main topic areas now suggested for proposal submissions:

Health, Wellness, and Safety: Solutions to improve access to healthcare, healthy food, and stable employment
Affordable Housing: Innovative strategies to address the shortage of affordable housing and related challenges
Economic & Job Security: Proposals to strengthen economic stability and job security
Environmental Resilience: Ideas focusing on climate adaptation, sustainable resource management, and disaster preparedness

“Our partnership with RISE and Sentara Health, as part of this challenge, underscores our commitment to fostering resilient coastal communities and enhancing the quality of life for those in need,” said Jay Grant, Executive Director of LISC Hampton Roads. “Every topic area of the Challenge addresses social determinants of health, and offers a unique opportunity to empower businesses and organizations to create meaningful change in communities throughout the region.

Formed in 2018, Norfolk-based RISE has launched eight Challenges, deploying $7 million in funding to 35 different startups and entrepreneurs. Previous winners have created everything from a mobile app to help drivers navigate flooded roads to powering emergency services with kinetic energy from traffic.

“We’re thrilled to have LISC Hampton Roads join us for this latest and very important innovation challenge, along with critical support from Sentara Health,” said RISE Executive Director Paul Robinson. “By merging missions, we can share expertise, bring together stakeholders, and spur affordable, effective solutions that empower vulnerable communities.”

Guidance Metrics

The Challenge will leverage the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) and the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) to guide the assessment of submissions and monitor the progress of winning projects. These tools provide essential insights into the specific challenges faced by communities.

To compete in the Challenge, submissions must come from a legal business or established nonprofit entity with a solution that is in the prototype stage or later. In addition to funding, winning teams will get access to resources such as pilot project opportunities, a tailored business accelerator, introductions to potential investors, and more.

For more information, visit LISCRISEChallenge.com

LISC Hampton Roads & RISE Launch $1M Innovation Challenge to Address Resilience Threats to Underserved Coastal Communities

Winners will receive funding and support to pilot solutions in greater Hampton Roads, Va.