Project Confluence

About Resource

Project Confluence encourages engineers to consider how engineering can center ideas of peace, social justice, and environmental protection in technical decision making and design, and how to better engage and collaborate with—and learn from—communities in addressing the challenges they face. Project Confluence directly connects engineers to communities to address the technical needs of energy, environmental, and climate justice groups across the United States. They aim to build capacity of local community groups and reduce barriers for engineers and scientists interested in community-based work. 

Project Confluence identified community needs through surveys and interviews with community groups. The project’s work focuses on promoting relevant research and development. Project Confluence uses an online information-sharing platform to keep community members and other stakeholders apprised of updates. Some key goals of Project Confluence include building community and solidarity around common technological issues as well as building capacity in local groups to identify and collaborate on these issues. The project aims to reduce common barriers to entry in community-driven science and to help create guidance for engaging with Federal agencies on policies and programs.