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Our History
Since 1991, Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) has been dedicated to helping communities around the world address environmental and safety challenges through practical, community-driven solutions. Founded by former Vermont Governor Madeleine M. Kunin and former ISC President George Hamilton, ISC was built on the belief that lasting change begins at the local level, where people understand their unique challenges and opportunities best.
Over the past three decades, ISC has led transformative projects across the globe, partnering with local leaders, businesses, and organizations to strengthen communities, improve living conditions, and support economic growth. Our work spans from promoting clean air and water to advancing public health and creating safer, more resilient environments.
While our focus has evolved to meet new global challenges, our mission remains the same: to support communities in developing solutions that endure long after our direct involvement ends. Under new leadership, ISC is focused on broad, nonpartisan partnerships and adapting to evolving priorities, ensuring our work reflects future-focused goals. Today, ISC continues to connect local knowledge with global expertise, driving meaningful change in communities worldwide.
Throughout its history, ISC has prioritized local leadership and capacity-building to create practical, lasting solutions for environmental and community challenges. Our history serves as a foundation for the future—one where communities are equipped to thrive, adapt, and lead the way toward a healthier, safer, and more resilient world for all.
ISC’s Timeline
- 1990: Vermont Governor Madeleine M. Kunin and policy advisor George Hamilton visited Bulgaria during its first democratic elections, witnessing significant environmental and public health challenges in Eastern Europe.
- 1991: ISC is founded to address environmental issues in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, focusing on environmental management, economic development, and community health.
- 2005: ISC expanded its mission to tackle environmental risks and support public health in the United States and Asia in addition to its work in Eastern Europe.
- 1999-2022: ISC refined its strategy to advance community-driven environmental solutions through partnerships with local organizations, municipalities, and regional networks in the U.S. and abroad.
- 2010s: ISC’s focus shifts to supporting resilience in the face of growing environmental and economic pressures through innovative, community-led programs.
- Present Day: ISC partners with local organizations worldwide to create practical, scalable solutions that improve lives, strengthen local economies, and promote safe, healthy environments for all.
We never come to a country or community and say, “This is how you do it.” We always take great pains to engage the local people and to work with local nonprofits. While we can’t provide all the answers, we can offer some hope, some technical assistance and education that can help people solve their own problems.
