How Certification Works

EcoDistricts Certified was created to transform the market. True transformation doesn’t happen without commitment, and true commitment in neighborhoods doesn’t happen without a standard to guide the work.

Certification includes three core submission requirements – Imperatives Commitment, Formation, and Roadmap. For a community or district to maintain its Certification, it is required to  submit biennial progress reports.


03_Phases-CommittmentImperatives Commitment

The certification process begins with a district’s commitment to the Imperatives that underpin the Protocol: Equity, Resilience, and Climate Protection. This process ensures their integration in the Formation, Roadmap, and Performance phases.

The Imperatives Commitment must be submitted within one year of registration, and EcoDistricts must endorse the Imperatives Commitment before accepting Formation or Roadmap submissions. Districts receive a preliminary review in response to an initial Imperatives Commitment submission and, if needed, a final review and endorsement decision in response to a revised submission.

DUE: Within 1 year of registration


03_Phases-FormationFormation

Formation focuses on shaping the necessary leadership, collaboration, and decision-making
governance to support effective action through all phases of development and implementation.
Formation is a key stage in exercising a district’s commitment to procedural and structural equity in engagement and decision-making.

Districts seeking certification must apply for Formation endorsement within two years of EcoDistricts endorsement of their Imperatives Commitment. The Formation phase requires district submission and EcoDistricts endorsement of a Declaration of Collaboration. Districts receive a preliminary review in response to an initial Declaration of Collaboration submission and, if needed, a final review and endorsement decision in response to a revised submission. The Declaration of Collaboration may be submitted in tandem with the Roadmap, or separately. EcoDistricts will make a certification award only upon endorsement of both documents.

DUE: Within 2 years of Imperatives Commitment Endorsement


03_Phases-RoadmapRoadmap

The Roadmap is a performance-based action plan that outlines a comprehensive set of projects and programs across a district. The Roadmap sets ambitious performance targets and implementation milestones based on the Imperatives and Priority indicators. Districts are encouraged to expand the scope and content of their Roadmaps to address the full extent of local issues and aspirations.

The Roadmap must be submitted within two years of receiving EcoDistricts endorsement of their Imperatives Commitment. The sole Roadmap requirement is district submission and EcoDistricts endorsement of a Roadmap action plan. Districts receive a preliminary review in response to an initial Roadmap submission and, if needed, a final review and endorsement decision in response to a revised submission. The Roadmap may be submitted in tandem with the Declaration of Collaboration, or separately. EcoDistricts will make a certification award only upon endorsement of both documents.

DUE: Within 2 years of Imperative Commitment Endorsement


03_Phases-PerformancePerformance — Certification Maintenance

Performance focuses on measuring impact and gauging a district’s progress towards strategy
implementation and meeting its performance targets. This is an ongoing phase in which reports are shared regularly in the community and publicly on the EcoDistricts Registry. A district’s biennial progress report becomes the basis of measuring impact over time and supporting peer-to-peer learning.

Districts must submit an initial biennial progress report beginning on the second anniversary of certification. Districts receive a preliminary review in response to an initial progress report submission and, if needed, a final review and certification maintenance decision in response to a revised submission. Following approval, districts must submit a progress report every two years on or around the anniversary date of their certification. These ongoing progress reports are reviewed in the same manner as the initial report.

DUE: Every 2 years following achievement of Certification


Fee Structure

Certification Fee Structure Table

Payment Options

Payment can be made online by check or credit card. Fees can be paid for each phase individually or bundled. To learn more, contact Rob Bennett at rob@ecodistricts.org or 503-719-2487.