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.

“Sharon Connects” Report and Action Plan – July 2023

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…

Climate Economy Logo

Applications Open for VCRD’s 2023 Climate Catalysts Innovation Fund

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…

Sharon Task Force Kick Off

Sharon Connects Task Forces

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…

Enosburg VT EV Charger

Enosburg Makes the Map with EV Chargers

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

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…

2023 Vermont Climate Catalysts

VCRD Welcomes Fourth Class of Climate Catalysts

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…

Climate Economy Logo

VCRD Announces 2023 Resilient Communities

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…