Abstract

Florida has established the Resilient Florida Grants Program in response to escalating threats from sea-level rise, violent storms, flooding, and climate-related hazards. The initiative supports local governments in conducting vulnerability assessments and implementing resilience projects. This article examines the effectiveness of the Resilient Florida Grants Program, focusing on its effectiveness in enhancing the adaptive capacities of local communities to climate change. Through a qualitative-method approach, investigating publicly available documents, data, and reports and comparing them to a similar program in New York State, the study assesses the effectiveness and outcomes of funded projects on local resilience strategies. The research integrates the principles of resilience theory and community-based adaptation (CBA) to analyze the effectiveness of resilience solutions and local governance in enhancing climate resilience in Florida. These theoretical perspectives offer a comprehensive approach to assessing the multifaceted strategies employed by the state to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change while not directly referring to the term itself. The analysis reveals critical insights into the program’s role in fostering statewide adaptation and mitigation planning, the challenges encountered by local entities, and the potential pathways for enhancing the program’s effectiveness in mitigating climate risks.