The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) announces the opening of applications for the fifth round of the Climate Catalysts Innovation Fund, a small catalytic grant program for local innovative climate projects.
VCRD launched the fund in 2021 to support local innovators in developing climate and energy solutions for which a small grant could have a meaningful impact. To date, this fund has awarded 92 local innovators with over $285,000 in collective support for community-led climate and energy projects. In 2024, the fund supported a 3-week workshop to help Vermonters with disaster preparedness.
“Traditional disaster preparedness training isn’t designed to meet the needs of disabled Vermonters during times of emergency,” said Kate Larose, Youth Services Program Coordinator for Vermont Center for Independent Living. “Participants were given autonomy and choice in self-designing solutions, creating kits to meet their unique needs, and building community to move forward together. And we are beyond grateful!”
Addison County Relocalization Network (ACORN) used funding to host a viewing of “Farming While Black,” which included a panel of Black farmers.
“This fund enables community projects to move from an ambitious idea to action,” stated Program Director, Laura Cavin Bailey. “We are thrilled to once again support diverse projects across the state bringing creative community solutions to reality.”
In collaboration with VLITE, Vermont Community Foundation’s Sunflower Fund and other partners, VCRD is dedicated to supporting projects that make a meaningful, community-scale impact with solutions that expand community resilience, reduce energy use, and/or create new approaches to challenging problems.
Grants are awarded based on criteria that combine innovation, resilience, collaboration, replicability as well as serving marginalized communities and those most affected by natural disasters. Eligible applicants include municipalities, town committees, schools, businesses, volunteer groups and non-profit organizations.
Applications will close Monday October 20th at 5pm. To apply and learn more about projects that have been funded across the state, visit https://www.vtrural.org/climate-economy/climate-catalysts-innovation-fund/. For more information, contact Laura Cavin Bailey at [email protected] or (802) 234-1646.