Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Grant

About this grant

The Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program is the world's most widely used greenhouse gas crediting program that drives finance toward activities that reduce and remove emissions, improve livelihoods, and protect nature. VCS projects have reduced or removed more than one billion tons of carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere. The program supports projects across multiple sectors including blue carbon, carbon capture and storage, agriculture and forestry (AFOLU), and energy transition. Projects developed under the VCS Program undergo a rigorous assessment process and, once certified, are eligible to issue Verified Carbon Units (VCUs), with one VCU representing one metric tonne of carbon dioxide reduced or removed from the atmosphere. Project proponents can monetize these VCUs in the carbon market to support and scale up their climate change mitigation activities. The VCS Program combines scientific rigor and transparency to bring new projects, organizations, and people into the voluntary carbon market with confidence that their participation has the intended environmental and social impact.

Eligibility

Any project that meets the rules and requirements set out in the VCS Standard, VCS Program Guide, and Registration and Issuance Process is eligible to register. Projects must comply with VCS rules and requirements, and planned project activities must be checked for eligibility by reviewing Table 1 in the VCS Standard for non-AFOLU projects and Appendix 1 for AFOLU projects. Some projects registered under another approved greenhouse gas program are eligible for transfer to the VCS Program if they meet eligibility conditions outlined in Appendix 2 of the VCS Standard. Projects must undergo validation by a third-party validation and verification body (VVB) before registration. The program is geographically open with projects implemented across 132+ countries worldwide.

How it's scored

Projects are evaluated through an independent auditing process involving both Verra staff and qualified third parties. The evaluation ensures that a project meets the standard's rules and requirements, that its methodologies are properly applied, that it complies with local laws and regulations, and that no local stakeholders experience negative repercussions. All VCS Program projects undergo a 30-day public comment period during pipeline listing in which anyone can indicate whether they believe the project meets VCS Program standards. Comments enter the Verra Registry and must be considered by project leads. Validation by a VVB reviews the project description and comments received during the public comment period. Verification by the VVB against the project's monitoring plan confirms the emission reductions and removals achieved.

Key requirements

• ✓Project must generate measurable greenhouse gas emission reductions or removals
• ✓Emissions reductions/removals must be independently verified and reported according to VCS methodology
• ✓Project must comply with VCS standards and additionality requirements
• ✓Eligible projects span renewable energy, energy efficiency, forestry, agriculture, waste management, and other mitigation sectors

Recent past awardees

Knowing who's won the last rounds tells you whether you're in the strike zone.

• Katingan Peatland Restoration and Conservation Project
• The Blue Carbon Project Gulf of Morrosquillo

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for Verified Carbon Standard (VCS)?

Eligibility covers organisations in GLOBAL; startup, sme, large-company, nonprofit, social-enterprise, cooperative, university, research-institution, local-authority, community-group, indigenous-community, consortium. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Carbon markets and MRV funding supports measurement, reporting and verification tools, registries, methodologies and the data systems behind credit markets. Work is commissioned by governments building compliance schemes, by standards bodies and by programmes that strengthen market integrity. Buyers look for transparent methods, auditability and alignment with recognised standards.