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) 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…
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…