Project Criteria
All Oregon Solutions projects must meet a series of sustainable objectives. Essentially, the project must strive towards a sustainable economy, community, and environment. A sustainable future for Oregon is the ultimate goal and purpose behind our work. Real solutions to our state’s problems must foster a productive economy, equitable community, and healthy environment. In 2001, the Oregon State Legislature signed into law a definition of these sustainable objectives.
A sustainable economy
- Provides a diversity of good economic opportunities for all citizens.
- Fosters workers whose knowledge and skills are globally competitive, and supported by life-long education.
A sustainable community
- Includes independent and productive citizens.
- Includes youth fully supported by strong families and communities.
- Fosters downtown areas and main streets that are vital and active.
- Builds efficient development that saves infrastructure investments and natural resources.
- Provides available and affordable housing.
A sustainable environment
- Includes healthy urban and rural watersheds with abundant species diversity.
- Provides clean and sufficient water for human and natural use.
- Ensures the efficient use and reuse of resources and the elimination of harmful toxins.
Ideally, a designated project addresses economic, community and environmental objectives. At the least it must meet two of the objectives thoroughly. In addition, Oregon Solutions values projects with a large representation of diverse sectors–the most important factor for project success. The project must also be ripe, with community members poised and ready to invest the time and energy to move from collaboration to action.
Occasionally we refer projects of a highly contentious nature to Oregon Consensus, our sister program, and the state’s official dispute resolution program.