Florida International University
IN-40: Sustainability Projects Fund

GoGreen Initiatives Fund 
The Office of University Sustainability has a strong focus on outreach and education, seeking to create a culture of sustainability on campus. Programs, projects and initiatives of the office are designed to help students, faculty, and staff become better aware of sustainability issues and take steps to reduce their impact on the environment in their everyday activities. Contributions go to supporting and expanding these programs.  

Notable Programs 

Sustainability Internship Program: Our student internship program provides professional development, education, and training opportunities in sustainability to FIU students in related majors. University Sustainability matches interns with different projects in areas they are passionate about or according to their interest. 

Student Project Funding: The Sustainability Committee awards funding to student-led sustainability projects each year. Projects that have been funded in the past include the FIU Bike Shop, EcoCouture Fashion Show, Sweetwater Beautification, and a Kill-A-Watt Energy Reduction Competition. 

Give and GoGreen: Give and GoGreen is a waste reduction and charity donation program that keeps items out of the landfill and puts them to good use in the local community. Clothes, household items, and furniture have been donated to Miami Rescue Mission, Habitat for Humanity, and Goodwill. 

Earth Week: Annually, FIU celebrates Earth Day with a week's worth of activities. Various environmental student organizations, academic centers, and administrators collaborate with the Office of University Sustainability to host a variety of Earth Week events centered around celebrating the planet and encouraging education on environmental issues. 

 
Nature Preserve Fund 
Located on the west side of the urbanized Modesto Maidique Campus (MMC), the FIU Nature Preserve is an 11-acre environmental education facility representing the Florida Everglades. The Nature Preserve represents three diverse ecosystems: Pine Rocklands, tropical hardwood hammocks, and freshwater wetlands, all of which provide critically important habitat for the 13 endangered plant species and 15 threatened plant species, as well as an additional 238 plant and animal species living there. Great historic geological formations still exist at the Nature Preserve today and are on display for everyone to see. The preserve also offers recreational opportunities such as a 0.6 mile recycled-tire jogging path with vita course, guided nature trails, and wildlife observation. 

Annually, there are over 30,000 visits to the Nature Preserve by students, faculty, staff, and the local community. 

Donations to the FIU Nature Preserve Ignite Campaign go toward student scholarships, restoration materials, and educational activities that benefit the campus community. 

The multi-stakeholder decision-making process for allocating funding through the Sustainability Projects Fund (SPF) involves representatives from various sectors including government agencies, non-profit organizations, businesses, academia, and community groups. Here's a brief overview of how it typically works: 

1. 
   

   Identification of Funding Priorities: Stakeholders collaborate to identify key sustainability priorities and areas where funding can make the most impact. This could include goals such as reducing carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy, enhancing biodiversity, or improving waste management. 

   
   

2. 
   

   Project Proposal Submission: Organizations, groups, or individuals interested in implementing sustainability projects submit proposals outlining their project goals, objectives, budgetary needs, and expected outcomes. These proposals are often required to align with the identified funding priorities. 

   
   

3. 
   

   Review and Evaluation: A review committee comprised of representatives from different stakeholder groups including students, administrators, and faculty assesses each project proposal based on criteria such as feasibility, impact, innovation, scalability, community engagement, and alignment with sustainability goals. They may also consider factors like the project's potential to address social equity and environmental justice concerns. 

   
   

4. 
   

   Decision-Making: The review committee deliberates on the proposals and selects projects to receive funding based on their evaluation. This decision-making process may involve consensus-building or voting among committee members. 

   
   

5. 
   

   Funding Allocation: Once projects are selected, funding is allocated according to the approved budgets for each project. This may involve distributing funds from the Sustainability Projects Fund or securing additional financing from internal or external sources. 

   
   

6. 
   

   Monitoring and Evaluation: Throughout the implementation phase, project progress is monitored on a timely basis to ensure that funds are being used effectively and that projects are achieving their stated objectives. Regular evaluations help to identify any challenges or opportunities for improvement. 

   
   

7. 
   

   Reporting and Accountability: Recipients of funding are typically required to provide regular reports on project activities, expenditures, and outcomes. This transparency helps to ensure accountability and allows stakeholders to track the impact of funded projects.