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.
For five years, the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) has hosted a dedicated group of new and emerging leaders from across the state who are focused on transformative, community-scale climate economy projects. From tool lending libraries to starting an energy committee, Climate Catalysts have made significant contributions to their communities. VCRD is now accepting…
In the wake of the 2023 and 2024 flooding events, the Town of Johnson invited VCRD to facilitate a process to bring together the full diversity of Johnson residents, organizations, business owners and partners in an open, inclusive dialogue to build connections, develop a self-assessment of resiliency, and identify actions for recovery and future efforts.…
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, $82,500 in grants ranging from $500 to $4,000 were awarded to 25 local projects developing solutions that move Vermont closer to its climate and energy goals. Funded projects…
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) announces the awardees for the fourth competitive round of the Climate Catalyst Innovation Fund. The funding supports projects that make a meaningful, community-scale impact. VCRD received more than $224,000 in requests and was able to fund 24 projects totaling $85,000 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 2025. Through the program, VCRD supports three to five communities each year working on local climate action solutions that help increase climate resilience, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy use, and/or strengthen the local climate economy. Services are…
The application deadline for these 2 positions has passed, so we are no longer accepting applications. Community Programs Associate VCRD is seeking a dedicated, energetic and hardworking Community Programs Associate to support VCRD’s community programs. Must be a team player with excellent communications skills, an eagerness to learn, and a strong sense of mission in…
Johnson community members are encouraged to participate in the second part of the Re-Imagine Johnson process to discuss and vote for actions generated by the community to address the long term flood recovery in Johnson and review the Community Resilience Assessment outcomes. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 10th from 5:00-8:30 pm at…
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) has welcomed fifteen participants to the 2024 Climate Catalysts Leadership Program from a strong pool of applicants. The 2024 participants from across the state will focus their time on the implementation of a local climate or energy project such as bringing community members together to determine the best…
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…