Fall Fundraiser
Donate • Sponsor • Join
Registration Open!
RVCA 2025 Priority-Setting Workshops
Registration Open!
Spotlight On Webinars
Days Until Our 2025 Conference!

Accelerating resiliency planning in communities across the Commonwealth

Search

Sustainability and Resilience

Home » Community Action » Effective and Informed Leadership » Sustainability and Resilience

Sustainability and Resilience

Home » Community Action » Effective and Informed Leadership » Sustainability and Resilience

Sustainability and ResilienceThe National League of Cities’ Sustainability and Resilience initiative supports and celebrates city-led sustainability and resilience efforts through Local Solar Energy Leadership and Leadership in Community Resilience.

NLC supports local solar energy leadership through a partnership with SolSmart. SolSmart is a solar energy designation and technical assistance program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy that helps prepare communities for the solar energy transition at the local level. SolSmart’s technical assistance comes at no cost from a team of national experts that work with communities to identify local priorities and strategies to help make solar energy more affordable and accessible for residents and businesses. Successful communities are awarded the prestigious designation of SolSmart Bronze, Silver, or Gold. This page directs browsers to SolSmart’s website, where they can request a consultation for their community.

Another way the NLC supports resilience framework is through their partnership with the Resilient Cities Network that gets input from a global network of Chief Resilience Officers. The Leadership in Community Resilience (LCR) grant program supports and enhances local capacity among elected leaders and staff, communities, and community-based organizations as they pursue coordinated climate resilience efforts.

The Resilient Cities Network for 2021 includes eight major cities: Alton, Texas; Arlington; Massachusetts; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Dubuque, Iowa; Flagstaff, Arizona; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Spokane, Washington. The NLC offers grants to cities that want to pursue coordinated climate resilience efforts and gives each city $10,000 in direct financial support. The cities also receive technical assistance and advisory services from NLC staff and partners to help them meet community-specific resiliency goals.

This page also includes information about past LCR Grantees so readers can learn about the success of the LCR grant program.

Click here for more information.

Become a Member
Become a Sponsor
Become a Volunteer
Explore Resilient Virginia's Resource Hub

Sign Up for E-News

Get news and notifications from Resilient Virginia.
Subscribe

The Resilience Calendar

  • Spotlight On Climate Resilient Water Management Strategies
    Date: December 4, 2025
    Location: Virtual

    This session will examine the impacts of climate change on water resources and infrastructure, with a particular focus on urban and suburban contexts.

    Learn more and register More details...

  • ASBN Policy Forum: Advancing Federal Stormwater Policy for Stronger Communities and Thriving Business
    Date: December 4, 2025
    Location: Virtual

    Join the ASBN Policy Forum: Advancing Federal Stormwater Policy for Stronger Communities and Thriving Business for an in-depth discussion on the urgent need to modernize America’s stormwater systems.

    Learn more and <…

  • Agrivoltaics Virginia
    Date: December 5, 2025
    Location: Virtual

    An informational webinar with updates on solar regulations, soil/forage research, and agrivoltaic project initiatives

    Learn more and register More details...

  • VALCV General Assembly Preview
    Date: December 6, 2025
    Location: 701 E Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23219, USA or Virtual

    VALCV is preparing for Virginia’s legislative session by partnering with Virginia Conservation Network to host a General Assembly Preview Regional Watch Party in Richmond. Join VALCV and other local advocates to learn about…

Latest News & Resources

Introducing the Resilience Foundations Certificate: Empowering Practitioners to Build a More Resilient Commonwealth

Virginia is facing growing challenges from sea-level rise, recurrent flooding, extreme heat, and economic disruption—making coordinated resilience planning more essential than ever.
Beginning in 2026, Resilient Virginia will launch the Resilience Foundations Certificate Program, a first-of-its-kind professional development initiative that brings together leaders from government, business, academia, and community organizations to advance systems-level resilience across the Commonwealth.

Read More »

Resilient Virginia News: Fall 2025

The Power of Partnership … Spotlight On Webinar Series … Resilience Certificate Survey … Interactive StoryMaps Advance Climate Equity … RVCA Updates … Tackling Emerging Contaminants Water Technical Assistance … Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap Initiative … Firewise Virginia Community Hazard Mitigation Grant Program … more.

Read More »

Where Data Meets Story: Mapping Equity in Virginia

VCU RISE has launched interactive StoryMaps to highlight environmental justice issues in Charles City County, Emporia, and Richmond. Learn how these equity-focused tools blend local data, maps, and community stories to support planning, resource access, and climate resilience.

Read More »

The Power of Partnership: What It Means to Be a State Affiliate of ASBN

Resilient Virginia has joined the American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) as a proud state affiliate—connecting our local work to a powerful national movement for a just, equitable, and sustainable economy. This partnership gives us—and our members—greater access to resources, national campaigns, funding opportunities, and a stronger policy voice. Learn how this affiliation is helping us scale impact and drive sustainable change across Virginia.

Read More »