The Global Development Fund (GDF) Conservation and Communities Fellowship 2025

27 May 2025

The Conservation and Communities Fellowship (CCF), a collaboration between Global Development Fund (GDF), Common Purpose, and The Human Edge, is now accepting applications for the 2025 cohort.

This fellowship, designed for leaders from the Global South working at the intersection of biodiversity conservation and community livelihoods, is a fully-funded, 7-month programme that will run from November 2025 to May 2026.

This is a unique opportunity for Applicant to develop their leadership, mentoring, and practical skills in conservation and community development. The programme offers a blend of online training and an in-person convening in Kenya in November 2025, along with a supportive network of peers and alumni.

Overview of The Global Development Fund (GDF) Conservation and Communities Fellowship 2025

The CCF is an immersive, hands-on learning experience for 24 community-based conservation leaders. It is aimed at individuals working within grassroots civil society organizations that are focused on addressing the challenges of biodiversity conservation and livelihoods.

This fellowship is designed to build participants’ capacity in key areas such as fundraising, project design, and evaluation, equipping them to lead more impactful, sustainable projects.

Thanks to the generosity of the programme’s funders, this fellowship is offered at no cost to participants. However, fellows are asked to contribute a modest amount towards their travel costs for the in-person event in Kenya.

This ensures that every selected fellow has an equal opportunity to participate in the fellowship experience.

Eligibility Criteria of The Global Development Fund (GDF) Conservation and Communities Fellowship 2025

The fellowship is open to leaders from Global South grassroots or local organizations that focus on biodiversity conservation and improving community livelihoods. The ideal candidates will be highly motivated individuals who:

Are passionate about driving positive change in their communities.
Have leadership potential and the ability to assess personal and organizational challenges.
Can articulate their learning needs and are committed to actively participating in both the online sessions and in-person meet-up in Kenya in November 2025.
Candidates must be able to critically evaluate their organizational challenges and demonstrate a desire to expand their leadership and technical capabilities.

Why Participate in The Global Development Fund (GDF) Conservation and Communities Fellowship 2025

The Conservation and Communities Fellowship (CCF) aims to foster inclusive, peer-to-peer learning in the following ways:

The fellowship embraces indigenous knowledge systems and promotes a community-centered approach to conservation.
Focus on scaling results and creating open dialogues between local NGOs, community leaders, and donors to challenge traditional funding practices.
The fellowship creates a community of practice that continues to support participants even after the programme ends.
Additionally, the programme encourages horizontal learning, meaning it promotes learning across diverse regions and cultures while fostering collaboration among fellows.

Details of The Global Development Fund (GDF) Conservation and Communities Fellowship 2025

The fellowship comprises four key streams of learning:

Mentoring (led by The Human Edge).
Fellows will develop their mentoring skills, building effective management and relationship-building capabilities through personalized, growth-focused mentoring.
Leadership (led by Common Purpose).
This stream enhances fellows’ ability to engage with a broad range of stakeholders, creating collaborations that drive conservation outcomes in the community.
Fellows will strengthen their technical skills, including proposal writing, project management, and team leadership.
This stream focuses on fostering critical dialogue about community-based conservation, providing fellows with space to discuss the policies, practices, and public discourses that influence their work.

Timeline of The Global Development Fund (GDF) Conservation and Communities Fellowship 2025

Application Deadline: 13th of June, 2025 (Midnight BST)
Shortlisted Candidates Announced: 25th of July, 2025.
Final Participants Announced: 10th of August, 2025.
Programme Starts: 11th of November, 2025.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete the online application form and submit it by the deadline. The application process includes the following steps:

Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and understand the programme’s structure.
Submit your application before the deadline (13 June 2025).

Why Apply?

This fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity to gain practical skills in fundraising, project design, and evaluation, while also building a long-lasting network of conservation leaders.
Fellows will have the chance to work alongside experts, gain mentoring experience, and significantly contribute to community-based conservation efforts across the Global South.
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to expand your leadership, connect with like-minded peers, and make a lasting impact on your community and the world.

For application details and to apply, visit the official Conservation and Communities Fellowship website HERE