The EmpowerED program was led by the City of Bridgeport in partnership with Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs and PT Parnters to connect the lived experiences of Bridgeport residents in public housing with the impacts of climate change and the academic language of sustainability, resiliency, and adaptation policy and development. Overall, the program laid a strong foundation for sustained community climate leadership and more equitable, resident-informed resilience planning. The program also increased resident engagement in City sustainability and resilience efforts, while highlighting the need for equitable participation practices, including compensation, accessible scheduling, and adequate time and resources.

Output: Bridgeport residents most vulnerable to climate change were equipped with the knowledge, tools, and relationships needed to shape a more climate-resilient community.

• Residents co-created a scalable Bridgeport-specific climate curriculum, deepening their understanding of climate change through a systems-level approach, and strengthening relationships with City staff.