Overview:
Rural People's Platform (RPP) partnered with Sage Step Consulting and Lodestar Consulting to conduct a comprehensive assessment and develop strategic solutions. This case study demonstrates Sage Step Consulting’s ability to conduct thorough research, engage with a variety of stakeholders, and develop strategic solutions tailored to the unique challenges of rural communities. The success of this project underscores the firm's expertise in community-focused initiatives and its commitment to fostering sustainable development.
Timeline:
Work started in June 2023 and concluded in December 2023.
Approach:
Sage Step Consulting adopted a multi-faceted approach:
- Conducting in-depth interviews with local stakeholders and labor forces to gather qualitative data.
- Researching best practices and successful models from across the country.
- Mapping out stakeholders and resources, including the development of engagement strategies.
- Collaborating with RPP to develop specific interview guides for different stakeholders.
- Identifying potential funding sources for RPP’s project execution.
Outcomes:
- A comprehensive stakeholder map outlining resources, allies, and gaps in the weatherization and electrification ecosystem.
- A detailed analysis of the labor force, including data on availability, shortages, and partnership opportunities.
- An assessment of workforce development programs and opportunities, with recommendations for engagement and training.
- A report on best practices in weatherization and electrification tailored to rural communities.
- A strategic plan for statewide partnership development.
- An overview of IRA and state resource distribution relevant to rural electrification and weatherization.
- Program recommendations for RPP’s future initiatives.
- A funding strategy document outlining potential sources of support for RPP’s projects.
Impact:
The partnership between RPP and Sage Step Consulting led to a strategic roadmap for improving weatherization and electrification in rural households. The project not only offered ways to address immediate needs but also laid the foundation for long-term sustainable change in rural communities. Rural People’s Platform won the Department of Energy's BuildingsUp Prize and immediately began implementing recommendations from the needs assessment created by Sage Step Consulting.
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