Overcoming Environmental Racism by Knowing, Using, and Shaping Law in Kenya, Sierra Leone and the U.S.

Racial Equity 2030
Awardee
Namati

Namati, its partners, and members of the Grassroots Justice Network equip frontline communities with the power of law so they can protect their own well-being and, ultimately, make systems of environmental governance more equitable.

Last Updated: September 2024
Competition Participation
Racial Justice 2030
Racial Equity 2030
Subject
Environmental justice
  • Kenya
  • Sierra Leone
  • United States of America
  • Kenya
  • Sierra Leone
  • United States of America
  • Economically disadvantaged people
  • Indigenous peoples
  • People of African descent
  • 10. Reduced inequalities
  • 13. Climate action
  • 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Executive Summary

Throughout the world, marginalized communities of color disproportionally suffer the impacts of climate change and other environmental harm. Yet, they have little say in the making and implementation of the environmental laws that most affect them. Namati and its partners will equip frontline communities with the power of law, so they can protect their own well-being and, ultimately, make systems of environmental governance more equitable. Globally, Namati and members of the Legal Empowerment Network will launch an international policy campaign and drive cross-border learning on grassroots environmental justice.

Organization Details
Lead Organization

Namati

website: https://namati.org/
Organization Headquarters
District of Columbia, United States of America
Organization ID
45-2796201
Number of Full-time Employees
101 to 300
Annual Operating Budget
$10.1 to 25 Million
Type
Nonprofit

Charity, fund, non-governmental organization, religious institution, school, or other entity

Organizations may provide budget and employee data based on this proposal or the organization as a whole. For more information on this proposal or organization, please email us.

Accomplishments

**Namati helps communities overcome environmental racism by knowing, using, and shaping the law. In the past year, paralegals worked directly with thousands of people to achieve concrete remedies to lived problems of environmental injustice. In Sierra Leone, paralegals worked with justice seekers to achieve remedies that positively impacted an estimated 3,700 people. In Kenya, six communities representing almost 15,000 people have worked with our paralegals since 2020-2021 to successfully register their community land.** 

**Namati teams worked to achieve systemic changes and help bring existing laws to life. Advocacy efforts by Namati, Empower DC, and Ivy City residents helped compel DC council member Zachary Parker to develop legislation that would require cumulative impact assessments for facilities in communities facing high pollution burdens. Globally, representatives of 34 organizations in the Grassroots Justice Network participated in longer-term shared learning activities and representatives of 13 organizations led international joint advocacy.**

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