OVERVIEW
Resilient Communities Restoring the Earth
CEBE was founded on Earth Day in 2013. Spurred by the scientific reality of the climate and ecological crises, we ran a successful crowdfunding campaign, moved into the Fare Share Commons in downtown Norway, Maine, and got to work. Our tagline since the beginning has been “Resilient Communities Restoring the Earth.” It remains our vision and is our path forward to a livable future for all.
​
CEBE’s primary goal is to expand local awareness of the climate crisis and offer accessible and economically viable solutions as we work for climate justice in our rural western Maine communities and beyond. This means access to affordable, renewable energy; healthy local food; safe, efficient, and affordable housing; electric, active, and public transportation; climate education for students and community; and stronger connections across the bioregion. We work for a just transition to a thriving, regenerative economy that is built on clean, renewable energy and regenerative agricultural practices.
To learn about our programming and impact, check out CEBE's most recent annual report. Covering our fiscal year, July 2024 to June 2025, this report includes highlights of what we've been up to, gratitude, testimonials, information on our financial health, and a look at the near future.
​​​​Since our founding, CEBE has hosted hundreds of events, including film screenings, public talks, repair cafes, and hands-on workshops. Our 2030 Vision Climate Convergence brings 150 community members together each spring, while our events throughout the year offer opportunities for peer-to-peer sharing and to learn about everything from EVs and eBikes to heat pumps and solar energy. ​
​
Over the years, thousands of community members have joined us by attending our events, riding our community bikes, dropping in to share their ideas, joining us on social media, and volunteering their time as we create a shared vision of a resilient and restorative future. You can see our impact when driving past the solar tracker-powered electric vehicle charging station at our local high school, or visiting the capped landfill where we supported subscription and development of a community solar farm for local subscribers. CEBE’s impact is reflected in climate-friendly policies we’ve supported in Maine through our coalition involvement and community mobilization efforts. Our success in building climate resilience in our conservative, underserved communities is evident in the over $1,300,000 in climate resilience funding we’ve helped towns receive through state grants. Though harder to measure, we have also seen countless relationships formed, minds opened, and behaviors changed. Through our bioregioning work, CEBE works to weave connections with partner organizations and Tribal Nations across the Northeast, building support to transition to an ecology-based economy at a regional scale.
​
For a walk down memory lane, check out our crowdfunding video from the very beginning.
The Center for an Ecology-Based Economy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, age, ability, religion, familial status, citizenship status, or military status in our programs and operations. This includes but is not limited to staffing, volunteers, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, volunteers, and the public. CEBE is an equal opportunity employer.