ROAD TOWN, Tortola — Eligible organisations across the British Virgin Islands can now apply for grants of up to $100,000 through the Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund’s (VICCTF) inaugural Call for Proposals.
The funding is intended to support projects addressing some of the Territory’s key climate and resilience challenges, including resilient buildings, clean energy, water security, ecosystem restoration, food security and sargassum response.
The Trust is also offering capacity-building grants of up to $10,000 to help organisations strengthen areas such as governance, financial management and project delivery.
Who Can Apply?
The Call is open to eligible BVI-based organisations, including:
- Non-governmental organisations
- Community-based organisations
- Faith-based organisations
- Academic institutions
- Businesses
- Government agencies
- Statutory bodies
Partnership applications are also encouraged.
Individuals are not eligible to apply directly for the grants.
Three-Step Application Process
VICCTF said the application process has three main stages.
First, organisations must register as a Partner and complete a Tier Rating Assessment, which determines the maximum amount of funding they are eligible to seek.
Registered organisations must then prepare and submit a Concept Note by September 23, 2026.
Applicants whose Concept Notes are approved will subsequently be invited to submit a Full Project Proposal by October 14, 2026.
The full proposal form will not be publicly available during the Concept Note stage. It will only be provided to applicants whose Concept Notes are successful.
VICCTF Chief Executive Officer Chamberlain Emmanuel encouraged organisations to begin the process early.
“This first Call for Proposals is an important opportunity for Virgin Islands organisations to transform practical ideas into projects that can strengthen our communities and build a more climate-smart and resilient Virgin Islands,” Emmanuel said.
“We encourage applicants to begin the process early and make full use of the guidance and support available.”
Support Available to Applicants
The Trust is also providing assistance to organisations navigating the application process.
Because the online Concept Note form does not autosave, VICCTF recommends that applicants download the Word version of the form and use it as a working document before transferring their completed responses to the online application at www.vicctf.org.
Applicants can also obtain assistance through the VICCTF Application Helpline via WhatsApp at +1 (284) 345-7207, or by emailing grants@vicctf.org.
Weekly virtual question-and-answer sessions are held every Wednesday, while in-person support sessions are also being offered across the sister islands.
Applicants are permitted to use artificial intelligence tools in preparing Concept Notes, provided they follow VICCTF’s published guidance on the appropriate use of Call documents.
The Trust stressed, however, that applicants remain responsible for the accuracy, completeness and originality of their submissions. The final application must remain the applicant’s own work.
How Will Grants Be Awarded?
VICCTF said applications will be assessed against published criteria, with recommendations made by a Review Committee before final approval by the Trust’s Board of Trustees.
Funding will only be awarded to eligible organisations after a formal agreement has been signed. Grants will not be paid directly to individuals.
With the first Concept Note deadline less than two weeks away, the Trust is encouraging eligible organisations not to wait until the last minute to begin the process.
Full information on eligibility, application guidance, supporting documents and online application forms is available through the Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund website.