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.
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…
The “Sharon Connects” process brings community members together to actively participate in examining issues, decide top priorities and develop action plans for the future of the town. The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) provided the overall structure and neutral facilitation for the first two gatherings. On June 8th, 80 community members came together to…
The Village of Enosburg Falls wanted to go green and show care for their local environment, and after learning about the Climate Catalysts Innovation Fund Village Manager John Dasaro took the opportunity to bring an EV charger to town. “We wanted to show that we care for our environment and had been looking for options…
Past Initiatives e-Vermont Toolkits Communities Webcasts Reports Stories Vermont Digital Economy Project Final Report of VCRD’s Vermont Digital Economy Project Project Guides 2014 Vermont Connected Summit Reports Stories VCRD continues to evolve with the needs of Vermonters. Since its inception in 1992, VCRD has produced programs based on the current needs of our state. Past…
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is welcoming sixteen participants to the 2023 Climate Catalysts Leadership Program from a strong pool of applicants. The sixteen participants come from across the state and will focus their time on implementing projects addressing topics such as developing town climate actions; expanding outreach regarding weatherization programs; producing an…
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is pleased to announce the four selected communities for their Climate Economy Resilient Communities (formerly known as Climate Economy Model Communities). The Resilient Communities program supports three to five Vermont communities per year working on local climate action solutions. Already in 2022, VCRD worked with the Intermunicipal Regional…
In 2015, we held 3 Climate Economy Forums with Vermonters across the state to gather their best ideas for ways to advance Vermont’s climate economy. Over 150 participants joined us in Rutland (August 26), Brattleboro (October 6), and Burlington (October 29). We were so impressed by the creative and innovative thinking, the consideration for and…
The Climate Catalyst Innovation Fund supports innovative local projects for which a small grant could have a meaningful impact at the community level. In its first round, the Fund received 32 applications for a total requested amount of over $76,000. Of those, 18 projects were awarded small grants to support local innovators developing solutions that…
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) announces the awardees for the second competitive round of the Climate Catalyst Innovation Fund. The funding supports projects that make a meaningful, community-scale impact. Of the 37 applications that totaled more than $118,000 in requests, VCRD was able to fully fund 25 project requests totaling over $82,000 to…
Current Policy Efforts Past Policy Initiatives Climate Change Economy Council: 2015-2016 Working Landscape Partnership Council: 2011-2012 Council on the Future of Vermont: 2007-2009 Vermont Rural Energy Council: 2006-2007 Vermont Council on Planning: 2004-2005 Vermont Council on Culture and Innovation: 2003-2004 Vermont Agriculture Viability Council: 2002-2003 Vermont Forest Products Council: 2001-2002 The Vermont Forest Products Council…