Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Climate Change, the Honourable Julian Fraser, RA, has officially launched the first call for proposals under the Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund (VICCTF), marking a shift “from establishment to implementation and from policy to action.” Photo: Facebook

The trust fund currently holds just over $6 million, with this initial window making $1 million available for community resilience initiatives. Of that amount, $900,000 will be directed toward “grand projects” that deliver tangible climate adaptation and mitigation outcomes, while $100,000 will support capacity-building and education to strengthen the readiness of local organisations. Photo: VINO/File

The trust fund currently holds just over $6 million, with this initial window making $1 million available for community resilience initiatives. Of that amount, $900,000 will be directed toward “grand projects” that deliver tangible climate adaptation and mitigation outcomes, while $100,000 will support capacity-building and education to strengthen the readiness of local organisations. 

Two grant pathways  

Two grant pathways are on offer for the Community Resilience Grant (CFP‑1) for partners ready to implement climate-related projects, and the Capacity‑Building Grant for entities that need to build internal capabilities before delivering projects, with some organisations potentially qualifying for both.

Fraser stressed that this is “not the end of the journey” but the beginning of a new approach to financing climate resilience in the Virgin Islands. 

The grant window is intended to stay open through replenishments from the environmental levy, creating a continuing cycle of opportunities for communities, organisations, and innovators across the territory. “This is not a one-time exercise,” he said, underscoring the long-term vision for locally driven resilience.

'Resilience cannot be built by government alone'- Hon. Fraser 

The Deputy Premier noted that small island communities have long understood their vulnerability to hurricanes, droughts, rising temperatures, coastal change, flooding, sargassum, and other climate pressures affecting people, the economy, and the natural environment. 

He added that resilience “cannot be built by government alone", which is why the first call is focused on community resilience.

Rather than determining needs from an office, the trust fund engaged communities through territory-wide consultations held in July, including sessions on Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke, as well as a virtual meeting.

Register through website 

Before applying, organisations are encouraged to register through the Trust’s Partnership Alliance Registration process at www.vicctf.org to assess readiness and identify the most suitable funding option. The Trust formally opened the call during a press conference on September 3.

It will host a virtual workshop on September 7 to explain the application process, eligibility requirements, key dates, and other steps. Weekly virtual question-and-answer sessions will provide additional assistance, with planned in-person drop-in sessions on Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and Anegada.  

The VICCTF mobilises, manages, and disburses climate financing for priorities covering energy, infrastructure, water, tourism, the environment, agriculture, fisheries, health, and financial services.