Submit an idea to RSDP

The University of Minnesota Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP) advance the environmental, economic and social sustainability of Greater Minnesota through authentic community-University partnerships that co-create innovative solutions and fulfill the University's land-grant mission.

Project ideas are submitted to one or more of RSDP’s regional boards based on the location of the project. These project ideas are reviewed based on the following shared criteria. Individual regions might include additional criteria reflecting regional priorities. 

• Community members identify project goals in one or more of the four RSDP sustainable development focus areas (agriculture and food systems, clean energy, natural resources and resilient communities).
• The project involves meaningful roles for both local community members and University of Minnesota faculty, staff and/or students.
• The project advances new community collaborations. Preference is given to projects that are from, led by, or include meaningful participation of historically underrepresented communities, which includes but is not limited to Native communities, people of color, immigrants, people with low incomes, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, women, and geographically isolated communities.
• Community partners provide leadership and support throughout the life of the project.
• The project supports environmental, social and economic sustainability for public purpose or benefit. Project learning or actions will be shared.
• In the spirit of partnership, we encourage projects to include funds or other contributions from other sources.

We’re all about partnership. Project partners receiving support from RSDP are asked to work in partnership with the regional Executive Director and board. We’d like to work with you to help your project succeed!

We’ll also ask you to provide information on your project’s goals and outcomes. We think that’s important to your project’s success, and we’re here to help you with that.

We bring a meaningful University of Minnesota contribution to all of our projects. What that support looks like, and how it fits with other project resources, can vary. In some cases, we may be able to offer partial funding for a project. There may also be cases where we request additional information, such as letters of support from other organizations, to help us make a decision.

RSDP is also collaborating with the Institute on the Environment to connect community projects to University research on three environmental impact goals. You are invited to indicate whether your project idea addresses any of these impact goals when you submit an RSDP Idea Brief. RSDP regional directors can help connect interested applicants with applied research opportunities in these areas.

RSDP partners with the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) to administer the Community Assistantship Program (CAP) by hiring students to support community-based projects during the fall, spring or summer terms. Community partners can apply for students to work on projects through the RSDP Idea Brief process.

RSDP’s five regions serve all of Greater Minnesota as a result of a legislative mandate to the University of Minnesota. Our service area does not include the 11-county metro area of Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington and Wright counties. 

Central

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. In 2021, Central RSDP will prioritize projects that: 

• Enhance learning through shared experiences in order to support equitable, inclusive and diverse community growth and economic development;
• Support clean energy workforce development, particularly among members of underserved communities;
• Promote sustainable land use, healthy ecosystems and water resource protection through conservation practices and incentives that protect the right of nature to persevere; and
• Advance healthy food access and education in partnership with health institutions, schools and grocery stores serving seniors, youth and/or diverse communities. 

Northeast

The Northeast RSDP serves Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Pine and St. Louis counties and the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Fond du Lac Bands of Lake Superior Chippewa and Grand Portage Bands of Lake Superior Chippewa sovereign Native nations. In 2021, Northeast RSDP will prioritize projects that: 

• Support local food systems that are economically viable and ecologically resilient;
• Promote just and equitable transitions to clean energy; 
• Advance soil health, biochar research, climate resilience, and forest biodiversity; and 
• Work through the impacts of the pandemic, recession and changing climate with communities by addressing housing, justice and equity issues.

Northwest

The Northwest RSDP serves Kittson, Roseau, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake, Clearwater, Beltrami, Polk, Norman, Mahnomen, Clay and Wilkin counties and the Red Lake Nation and White Earth Nation. In 2021, Northwest RSDP will prioritize projects that: 

• Authentically engage historically underrepresented communities;
• Promote resilience in the regional food system and strengthen community-centered food assets, especially those serving under-reached populations; 
• Advance sustainability in community economic development;
• Reduce energy burden through energy efficiency;
• Assist local organizations in adapting to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic; and
• Promote climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, especially in the Red River Basin.

Southeast

The Southeast RSDP serves Blue Earth, Faribault, Dodge, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, LeSueur, Mower, Nicollet, Olmsted, Fillmore, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona counties and the sovereign Native nation of Prairie Island Indian Community. In 2021, Southeast RSDP will prioritize projects in RSDP’s focus areas that: 

• Address water quality protection and restoration in Southeast Minnesota;
• Promote just and equitable transitions to clean energy;
• Respond to the shifting needs of small organizations impacted by the pandemic; and
• Support local food systems that are economically viable and climate resilient.

Southwest

The Southwest RSDP serves Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Douglas, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Pope, Redwood, Sibley, Renville, Rock, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Watonwan and Yellow Medicine counties and the Upper Sioux and Lower Sioux sovereign Native nations.  In 2021, Southwest RSDP will prioritize projects in RSDP’s focus areas that: 

• Strengthen equity and social resilience; 
• Support peer-to-peer networks and leadership
• Promote just transitions to clean energy and regenerative farming; and
• Build soil health, climate resilience and landscape biodiversity.