Are you a passionate change maker working at the grassroots to protect biodiversity while supporting community livelihood? Do you struggle to access direct funding or scale your conservation effort? This is your Golden  ticket. 

The application process for the GDF Conservation and Communities Fellowship (CCF) 2025 is now formally open, and it’s bigger, bolder, and more empowering than before. This fully funded 7-month hybrid fellowship, which is intended for 24 up-and-coming leaders from the Global South, combines state-of-the-art leadership training, practical fundraising expertise, and the strength of community to help you realize the full potential of your conservation mission.

This opportunity is for YOU, regardless of whether you work in forest stewardship in the Amazon, community wildlife protection in Kenya, or mangrove restoration in Indonesia.

Who Needs to Apply?

If you are following these protocols or processes,

• A leader or emerging leader in a grassroots or community-based conservation organization.
• Based in the Global South.
• Passionate about creating real impact at the intersection of biodiversity and community livelihoods.
• Hungry for leadership growth, direct donor dialogues, mentorship, and access to practical tools and training…

Then you belong in the 2025 cohort. This is not just another online course—it’s a transformative journey to grow YOU, your TEAM, and your ORGANIZATION.

Fair and Well-Funded

• No participation fee
• Training, facilitation, expert guidance—ALL covered
• Fellows only make a modest contribution (max €300) to their in-person travel
• Need help? Fundraising support is provided!

How Does the Fellowship Operate from November 2025 to May 2026?

There are four strong learning streams in the program:

• Mentoring (by The Human Edge)—Train to become a mentor and grow through relational leadership.
• Leadership (by Common Purpose)—Master stakeholder engagement, cross-cultural leadership, and collective action.
• Capabilities & Capacities—Level up with practical skills in fundraising, proposal writing, and project management.
• Communities and Conservation—Dive deep into power dynamics, decolonization of funding, policy debates, and real-world challenges with GDF experts and CCF alumni.

Apply: https://global-diversity.org/the-conservation-communities-fellowship-2025-call-for-applications/ 

Crucial Dates You Must Attend

The last date to apply for the GDF Conservation and Communities Fellowship 2025 is 13 June 2025 (Midnight BST). Shortlisted candidates will be announced on 25 July 2025, followed by the final list of selected fellows on 10 August 2025. The fellowship officially begins on 11 November 2025.