Funding Database: Resilient Coastal Communities

The Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP), a North Carolina Resilient Communities Program enterprise, aims to address barriers to building coastal resilience at the local level. The program provides technical assistance and funding to help communities identify vulnerabilities, designate “shovel-ready” projects that can be implemented to address those vulnerabilities, and link communities to funding and technical assistance needed to implement them.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ), Division of Coastal Management (DCM) administers the program. The state’s 2020 Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan called for the creation of the RCCP.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include county and municipal governments within the 20 designated Coastal Area Management Act counties including Beaufort, Bertie, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford; Hyde; New Hanover; Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Tyrrell and Washington.

Eligible Projects

RCCP projects are implemented in a four-phase process. Phase 1 includes a risk and vulnerability assessment, development of a community action team and engagement with the public to start a discussion about community vulnerabilities. Phase 2 involves planning, project identification, and prioritization of actions that can be taken to adapt to short- and long-term climate hazards. Phase 3 includes engineering and design of projects to meet the goals of the community’s prioritized projects. Phase 4 includes additional technical assistance and funding for implementation of projects that have gone through the planning process. RCCP provides technical assistance at each step. 

Funding Amount

RCCP-backed funding from the 2022-2023 award cycle averaged around $45,000 for engineering and design grants and $250,000 for implementation and construction grants.

Match Requirements

None.

Application Schedule

DCM opens the RCCP program at different times of the year when funding is available. Funding is currently open for Phases 3 and 4. Applications are due May 31st, 2024.

Application Process

Municipalities and counties within the Coastal Area Management Act zone may apply directly to DCM to participate in RCCP Phases 1 and 2 (PDF). During these phases, DCM representatives will offer technical assistance to the recipient community, and it is the community’s responsibility to work with a lead community member and lead contractor to produce the required deliverables. Detailed descriptions and the process of completing these are included in the RCCP Planning Handbook (PDF). A Community Action Team (CAT) will be developed from key stakeholders in each community. The CAT will review former and ongoing community plans and actions to aid in the identification of vulnerabilities. Representation from CAT members will ensure the development of an equitable community development strategy. Once a community has completed Phases 1 and 2, it can apply to DCM in Phases 3 and 4 for funding to cover design and implementation costs.

Application Assistance

For application assistance, contact RCCP staff at RCCP@deq.nc.gov.

Funding Source

The RCCP receives funding from the North Carolina General Assembly and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.