Submit an idea to RSDP

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Have a project idea?

Do you have an idea to improve sustainability in your community? We'd love to hear from you! Our most recent statewide project application period closed in February 2020, but project ideas can be submitted at any time. To learn of the next review period in your region, please reach out to your Regional Executive Director.  

Mission

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.

Service area

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. Please see the regional pages listed below for lists of the counties served by each RSDP region.

Project partnering criteria

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. Project review timelines also vary by region. See our regional pages for region-specific information.

• Community members identify project goals in one or more of the four RSDP sustainable development focus areas.

• The project involves meaningful roles for both local community members and University of Minnesota faculty, staff and/or students.

• The project engages diverse populations and advances new community collaborations.

• The project supports environmental, social and economic sustainability for public purpose or benefit. Project learning or actions will be shared.

• Community partners provide leadership and support throughout the life of the project.

• Priority may be given to projects that leverage funds or other contributions.

More information

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.

It’s important that the learning and outcomes from our projects are shared so other communities and community members can benefit from the work. We’d love it if you could note support from the RSDP in your region on any reports from your project. We’ll help you spread the word!

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.

In 2020, RSDP is also collaborating with the Institute on the Environment to connect community projects to University research on the following 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.

• Safe drinking water: Ensuring equitable, sustainable access to safe drinking water for all Minnesotans through solutions that protect source water in a changing climate.

• Sustainable land use: Improving agricultural landscapes to maintain farmers’ livelihoods while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving water quality for Minnesota.

• Carbon-neutral economy: Building a carbon-neutral Minnesota through innovative technology, pricing and policy that reduce emissions and store carbon in energy, transit and agriculture.

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.