Funds Soon Flowing From BVI Climate Fund
The Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund (VICCTF) has finished territory-wide consultations and will launch its first Call for Proposals in August to finance projects that boost climate resilience across the BVI. Organisations are being urged to prepare applications, join the Partnership Alliance, and watch for a published FAQ to guide submissions.
The Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund (VICCTF) has completed a week of territory-wide consultations as it prepares to open its first Call for Proposals in August, signalling that funding for climate resilience projects in the BVI will soon begin to flow. Consultations took place from July 20 to 24 on Tortola, Anegada, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda, and included a territory-wide virtual session.
Government agencies, statutory bodies, businesses, non-governmental organisations, community groups, faith-based organisations and other stakeholders attended to learn about the Fund and prepare for upcoming grant rounds. Sessions were designed to explain the purpose and mechanics of the Climate Change Trust Fund, which is intended to finance projects addressing climate change impacts and strengthening resilience across the Virgin Islands.
Participants were invited to share local climate priorities, funding needs, views on eligibility criteria, and the kinds of projects that should receive support. VICCTF Chief Executive Chamberlain Emmanuel said the feedback will directly influence the scope and rules of the initial funding round.
Organisers are now compiling questions raised during the consultations into a Frequently Asked Questions document that will be published on the Fund’s website to help applicants prepare. Organisations are also being encouraged to join the Partnership Alliance so they can determine which tier of the Community Resilience Grant they may qualify for and whether any gaps within their organisations could be addressed by a capacity-building grant.
For BVI residents, the launch of the Fund is timely: rising seas, stronger storms, coastal erosion, water supply pressures and ecosystem degradation continue to threaten livelihoods, infrastructure and tourism. The VICCTF is expected to prioritise projects that increase community preparedness and ecosystem resilience — examples include shoreline and coastal habitat restoration, mangrove and coral protection, rainwater harvesting and water security projects, renewable energy and microgrids, strengthened community shelters, and disaster preparedness and early warning systems.
Prospective applicants should monitor the VICCTF website for the formal Call for Proposals, read the forthcoming FAQ, consider partnerships to meet eligibility requirements, and assess whether they need capacity-building support before applying. Specific application deadlines and grant amounts will be detailed in the Call.
The Fund’s upcoming grant round represents a key opportunity for communities, NGOs, businesses and government entities across the BVI to access resources aimed at protecting the territory’s people, economy and natural environment from the growing impacts of climate change.
Primary source: BVI News