Central Partnership accepting proposals for community-led sustainability projects
News | Published on January 6, 2026 at 11:56am EST | Author: henningmaster
0Central Minnesota residents with an idea to strengthen their community can now apply for a project partnership with the University of Minnesota Extension Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnership (Central RSDP).
Central RSDP supports local innovation by connecting community ideas to University of Minnesota resources. Community members work on diverse project teams that research, design and plan local sustainability projects with University students, faculty and staff.
Central RSDP seeks ideas from diverse populations and encourages those who have not previously partnered with the University to consider applying.
In 2026, priorities identified by the Central RSDP board and work groups call for projects that foster a resilient food system, address climate change and other ecological impacts, increase opportunities around energy efficiency and renewable energy and encourage local community action that welcomes all residents and celebrates the region’s rich cultural traditions, natural assets and vibrant local economies.
“Now more than ever we need ideas and expertise from community members across Central Minnesota to help communities thrive in the face of change,” said Central RSDP Executive Director Molly Zins. “I encourage people to get in touch with me to talk about their ideas for making our communities more resilient and sustainable.”
Project ideas are being accepted through February 14 and can be submitted online at z.umn.edu/RSDPIdeaBrief. Community members are encouraged to contact Zins at zend0007@umn.edu or 218-828-2332 or Jan Jackola at jjackola@umn.edu or 218-828-2273 to discuss their ideas and ask questions. Successful projects are selected by the Central RSDP community-University governing board through a competitive process.
Examples of projects recently supported by the Central RSDP include working with Todd County to increase energy efficiency of their Expo building on their fairgrounds, determining vegetation management plans for utility right-of-ways in the Leech Lake Nation and developing mobile resilience hubs to provide culturally-connected support networks for rural Black residents in west central Minnesota. For more examples of projects supported by the Central RSDP, visit z.umn.edu/RSDPProjectExamples.
The Central RSDP serves Becker, Benton, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd and Wadena counties and the White Earth Nation, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe sovereign Native nations.
Central RSDP is one of five regions of the University of Minnesota Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP). For more information on RSDP, visit RSDP.umn.edu. University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer.