EAN 2025 Call for Pitches for EAN Summit

Download the 2025 Pitch Submission form here

EAN seeks pitches from Network members and public sector partners that answer the question: What recommendations in the 2025 Climate Action Plan would benefit from collaborative network action by EAN members to make progress?  These might include development of new pilot programs, new forms of collaboration, funding and financing innovations, addressing workforce or housing barriers, etc.

In order to ensure that selected pitches lead to concrete action, EAN staff will provide 1-3 winning pitches with support to form Network Action Teams or coalitions, made up of Network members and public sector partners who will work together to co-create the best strategies for moving the pitch ideas forward. Winning pitches will receive EAN staff support, which can include organizing and facilitation of meetings, project planning, research, and possibly access to seed funding opportunities.  After they are selected, Network Action Teams will designate co-chairs to coordinate with EAN.  

Pitch Selection Criteria

EAN’s mission is to achieve Vermont’s climate and energy commitments in ways that create a more just, thriving, and sustainable future.  With that mission in mind, we seek strategic interventions in the energy system that will:

  • Align with and be consistent with recommendations and pathways in the 2025 VT Climate Action Plan, particularly the priority and top priority recommendations.
  • Provide significant reductions in fossil fuel use and GHG pollution from energy. 
  • Promote energy equity – that all people should have access to reliable, safe, and affordable sources of energy; protection from a disproportionate share of negative impacts or externalities associated with building and operating our energy supply and distribution systems; and equitable distribution of and access to benefits from these systems.
  • Helps build a stronger and more equitable Vermont economy.
  • Support jobs in the clean energy/climate workforce.
  • Help Vermonters become more energy-secure and resilient.
  • Promote or protect public health.
  • Have committed leadership from multiple network member organizations and/or across multiple sectors (ie energy, health, education, etc.).

The deadline for pitch submissions is October 3, 2025.  Those who submit a pitch are committing to being part of a Network Action Team for at least one year, with support from EAN staff and other Network members, if their pitch is selected.  

Download the 2025 Pitch Submission form

Pitch FAQs

What is a pitch?

EAN approaches our work together through five strategic leverage areas to enable systemic change at a scale and pace necessary to achieve Vermont’s energy & emissions commitments:  Policy & Regulatory Reform, Public Engagement, Workforce Development/Workforce Re-Training, Technology Innovation, and Capital Mobilization.  Pitches can address any of these strategic leverage areas. Previous pitches have included policy proposals, pilot projects, new program ideas, and development of new coalitions.

Do you need to have a full team to submit a pitch?

You do need to have at least 3 EAN member organizations or public sector partners involved to submit a pitch, but you do not need to have an extensive team.  EAN staff will help ensure that selected pitches are supported by members and partners who can move them forward, and Action Teams can (and in some cases should) include participants from outside the network as well.

What am I committing to if I submit a pitch and it is selected by the EAN members and Board to move forward?

If your pitch is selected, it is expected that you will work with other EAN members and partners and EAN staff to establish a Network Action Team to move the concept forward over the following year or longer.  Network Action Team leaders have committed 2-8+ hours per month on their projects.  Most of the projects have established a steering committee and broader coalition or advisory committee.  Some have also established additional work groups.

How long does a Network Action Team last and how do you know if the work is done?

Network Action Teams are by design flexible and adaptive.   Each year the Board of Directors will discuss which Network Action teams should be retained, and which should be released or should “graduate”.  The Board uses the following criteria in this decision-making:

  • Network Action Teams should be retained when work is unfinished and beneficial, and when there is Network engagement in the work with significant progress being made. 
  • Network Action Teams should be released or should “graduate” when other entities are ready to take the work forward, when their mission is complete, or when progress is not being made through a Network Action Team structure. 
  • Some Network Action Teams may also be dormant for a period of time, but be reactivated when conditions are right for new progress to be made.
What kinds of projects make a good Network Action Team?

There are 2 types of pitches and Network Action Teams:

  • Catalyst:  A catalyst Network Action Team incubates a new project or initiative and brings together Network members to take action and make progress on a concept, usually over the course of one to two years.  Catalyst teams have included Replace Your Ride, Future of Rural Transit, Switch and Save (heat pump hot water program), Tenant Weatherization Protection, and Clean Transportation Standard.
  • Coalition Building:  As a coalition builder we offer core support for multi-stakeholder member initiatives that may not otherwise happen.  These coalitions may be longer term and ongoing.  Coalition building teams have included Weatherization at Scale, Climate Workforce, the Clean Heat Working Group, and Thermal Energy Networks.