Our Mission
We believe that sustainability looks different in every community. By collaborating with local leaders and partners, we advance community-led environmental projects that center on the needs and priorities of those we serve.
Our Approach
We partner with communities to co-create solutions through:
Active Listening. Understanding community needs through open dialogue.
Participatory Processes. Engaging in collaborative and inclusive decision-making
Embracing Diverse Perspectives. Blending local knowledge with research and academic expertise
Accountability. Learning from our mistake, adapting to change, and moving at the speed of trust.
We acknowledge that these practices are not always easy, and we strive to hold ourselves accountable throughout every step of the process.
Our Values
- We believe communities flourish when they intentionally engage with and value their environments.
- We believe research and curiosity are important tools when developing evidence-based solutions to sustainability challenges.
- We believe in building resilient infrastructure to adapt to a changing climate and enhance community health.
- We believe that creative and equitable funding solutions are key to advancing environmental projects.
- We promote inclusive decision making that acknowledges histories of injustice, meets communities where they are, and values diverse perspectives.
- We are committed to creating systems that use natural resources wisely and keep them available for future generations.
A Message from Our Director
“At the Institute for Sustainability Engagement, we co-create solutions with communities to achieve locally informed sustainable strategies. This is done by connecting local insights with academic expertise, building strong relationships between researchers, policymakers, and community members, and, at our core, engaging with others — meeting people where they are to get them where they want to go.
The need for sustainability engagement is undeniable —and exponential— in our world’s ever-evolving climate crisis. Together, with our dedicated team and partners, we will continue to innovate and expand our impact, working to create a more sustainable and resilient future for all.”
-Melissa Young, Director, Institute for Sustainability Engagement at Syracuse University
Institute for Sustainability Engagement Over the Years
Establishment of the Environmental Finance Center (SU-EFC)
Expansion to the Center for Sustainable Community Solutions (CSCS)
Creation of the Institute for Sustainability Engagement (ISE)
1993
Founded in 1993, the Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center (SU-EFC) began by focusing on water and wastewater management challenges within EPA Region 2, providing vital support to communities in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
2008
As the need for environmental solutions grew, so did our organization. Expanding beyond water-related issues, we incorporated Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) into our programming, broadening our geographic reach to include other states, regions, and Native nations.
2024
Our success and growth resulted in our establishment as an Institute at Syracuse University. This distinction reflects the strength of our expanding network and positions us for continued development, leveraging both academic expertise and community engagement to address a wide range of environmental concerns.