The Climate Economy Programs are designed to help communities build and implement priority actions that increase economic vitality and affordability in a time of climate change.
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is seeking applicants for the fifth Climate Catalysts Leadership Program. Over the past four years, Climate Catalysts have worked to implement projects such as building a county-wide Farmer Climate Network; establishing community-wide weatherization efforts; facilitating the development of community solar projects; starting a town energy and climate committee;…
The Climate Catalyst Innovation Fund supports local innovative climate projects for which a small grant could have a meaningful impact at the community level. In this round, $82,912 in small grants of $500 to $4,000 were awarded to 25 local projects developing solutions that move Vermont closer to its climate and energy goals. Funded projects…
In the wake of the July 2023 flooding event, the newly formed Barre Up (Long-Term Flood Recovery Committee) and the City of Barre invited VCRD to facilitate a process to bring the full diversity of the Barre community together to listen to each other, share experiences, and think together about what comes next for flood…
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) announces the awardees for the third competitive round of the Climate Catalyst Innovation Fund. The funding supports projects that make a meaningful, community-scale impact. VCRD received more than $99,000 in requests and was able to fund 25 projects totaling $82,500 to support local climate solutions in Vermont. In…
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) announces the call for Climate Economy Resilient Communities participants for 2024. Community leaders and volunteers submit a simple online application that will be reviewed on a rolling basis until January 12th, 2024. Through the program, VCRD supports three to five communities each year working on local climate action…
The Vermont Council on Rural Development’s (VCRD) Climate Economy Resilient Communities Program helps communities build and implement priority actions that increase economic vitality and affordability in a time of climate change. In 2023, VCRD worked with towns in the White River Valley Region to explore putting in place a regional coordinator initially modeled after the…
The Vermont Council on Rural Development’s (VCRD) Climate Economy Resilient Communities Program helps communities build and implement priority actions that increase economic vitality and affordability in a time of climate change. In the fall of 2023, VCRD worked with the Sharon Energy Committee to reignite collaborative actions towards community resilience. The “Sharon Connects” process engaged…
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) announces the opening of applications for the third competitive round of the Climate Catalysts Innovation Fund. In collaboration with VLITE, VSECU, Vermont Community Foundation Flood Response & Recovery Fund, the Sunflower Fund, and the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation, VCRD is supporting innovators in developing solutions that move Vermont…
Due to flooding again in 2024, Barre Up! is actively organizing volunteers and folks in need. Find the current status and ways to help out, through their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/barreup/ In the wake of flooding events in July 2023, members of the Barre community came together on September 13th and October 18th, 2023 to connect with…
VCRD is seeking a dedicated, energetic and hardworking Community Engagement and Policy Associate to support VCRD community leadership and engagement efforts, and rural policy initiatives. The Associate must be a team player with excellent communications skills, an eagerness to learn, and a strong sense of mission in service to rural Vermont communities. We’re looking for…