Future of Vermont Action Team Develops Platform of Action

As a member of the Partnership for the Future of Vermont, we want to share with you some exciting updates on The Vermont Proposition and the Future of Vermont Action Team's platform for action.

As we shared in February, the Future of Vermont Action Team reviewed the 10 elements of The Vermont Proposition which were established in 2021 with the input of thousands of Vermonters. From there, the Team decided on three areas of focus including climate change and the working landscape, education equity and transformation, and broadband access and affordability. The Action Team also determined several “lenses” through which they should focus work in any of these areas. These include racial equity, economic opportunity, disability and access, and civic engagement.

Since then, the Team has met with experts and leaders in these arenas to determine actionable priorities that would help to advance Proposition elements, fill gaps in leadership or resources, and ultimately contribute to a thriving economy, communities, and State in the years ahead.

In 2022, the Future of Vermont Action Team will:

Develop a “Proposition Scorecard”

The Vermont Proposition is made up of ten key transformational priorities for the future of Vermont. The Action Team will work with data experts and other partners to develop a framework of data points to help track each of these Proposition elements over time as well as track the overall lenses of racial equity, disability and access, economic opportunity, and civic engagement. This data set will allow us to know in which areas progress is being made, and in which areas there is still work to be done. This will help to amplify public understanding of the Proposition elements as well as provide indicators to point to where the Action Team and our partners should focus energy, initiative, and/or policy asks.

Promote Payment for Ecosystem Services Model

One role that the Action Team can play is to identify strategies and tools that can help to advance multiple goals identified by Vermonters as critical to our collective future. In conversations with climate and working lands experts, it became clear that an effective, equitable, and impactful Payment for Ecosystems Services (PES) model could be one of these strategies - addressing elements of the Proposition including boosting the Working Landscape, conserving natural resources, addressing climate change, and advancing economic opportunity and equity. A PES model for Vermont would provide incentives, benefits, or payment in exchange for favorable land management strategies. The Action Team will work with key leaders, providers, and participants in existing PES systems to identify an effective, equitable, and impactful model for Vermont and strategies to best build, advance, support, and fund this model.

Advance Education Equity and Transformation

The Action Team will work with education experts and leaders to develop an effective strategy for a statewide conversation on the future of education in Vermont. The Team is interested in hearing from community members, educators, and experts from across the State to identify and implement ways to advance diverse opportunities for educational, civic, and vocational success.

As The Future of Vermont Action Team moves forward in each of the above outlined focus areas, individuals from across Vermont who have signed up to be part of the Partnership for the Future of Vermont may be called upon to further support the Vermont Proposition by continue discussions and provide insight and direction for the Future of Vermont Action Team.

Any Vermonters interested in joining the Partnership for the Future of Vermont are encouraged to sign up today to join the progress in building the best future for generations to come.

Please reach out with any questions or thoughts on the ideas outlined above. VCRD and the Future of Vermont Action Team look forward to working with the Partnership and all Vermonters to advance critical goals, initiatives, and priorities shared by thousands of Vermonters. Your voice and your leadership is critical as we move this work forward together.