Call for
GDF Conservation and Communities Fellowship Program
Application Deadline:
13 June 2025
About Organisation
Global Diversity Foundation (GDF) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to preserving natural environments and promoting human wellbeing. Guided by a vision of a diverse world built on dignity, justice, and mutual respect, GDF works through regional programmes that empower communities to safeguard their biocultural diversity while enhancing their livelihoods. These programmes foster the growth of local institutions and capacities by supporting community-led initiatives that protect cultural landscapes. GDF also provides mentorship to grassroots environmental and indigenous organisations, helping them strengthen their operational frameworks and access funding more effectively.
In addition, the Global Migrants Project contributes to the wellbeing and justice of migrants across origin, transition, and destination points. The Global Environments Network nurtures a dynamic space for collaboration, skill-building, and innovation among emerging environmental changemakers. By promoting peer-to-peer learning and facilitating global exchanges, GDF enables a stronger and more inclusive conservation movement. Their work is grounded in ethical practices that embrace diverse knowledge systems, strive for decolonised funding models, and build long-term communities of practice that foster leadership in conservation.
About the Grant
The Community Conservation Fellowship (CCF) is a unique 7-month blended programme—both online and in-person—designed for 24 grassroots conservation leaders from the Global South. Hosted by Global Diversity Foundation, the Fellowship offers participants a transformative experience focused on mentorship, leadership, technical capabilities, and community-based conservation. The aim is to enhance both personal and organisational capacities in areas such as project design, proposal writing, evaluation, and fundraising.
The Fellowship includes four learning streams: Mentoring, which enhances relationship-building and guidance skills; Leadership, which builds the ability to work collaboratively across sectors; Capabilities & Capacities, which sharpens technical and management competencies; and Communities & Conservation, which offers critical dialogue on conservation policy and practice.
The programme is fully funded for participants, with only a modest travel cost contribution required for the in-person gathering in Kenya, scheduled for November 2025. CCF fosters an inclusive, horizontal learning environment that values indigenous knowledge, promotes equity, and supports peer-to-peer collaboration. The Fellowship also connects participants to a wider support network for continued learning and impact beyond the programme’s duration.
Who can Apply?
The Fellowship is open to individuals from the Global South who are active leaders within grassroots or local civil society organisations. Applicants must be working at the intersection of biodiversity conservation and community livelihoods, and should demonstrate a strong commitment to social and environmental justice.
Ideal candidates are highly motivated, self-reflective individuals who show clear potential for leadership and are passionate about effecting positive change in their communities. They should be engaged in conservation efforts that integrate cultural and ecological knowledge, and be capable of assessing their personal and organisational growth areas.
Applicants must be able to articulate their specific learning needs and how participation in the Fellowship will support their objectives. The programme values inclusivity and encourages applications from individuals who represent diverse communities and knowledge systems, particularly those often underrepresented in global conservation spaces.
The CCF is designed for those who may struggle to directly access international funding and aims to bridge this gap by providing capacity-building support. Applicants must be willing to commit to the full 7-month duration of the Fellowship, including participation in an in-person gathering in Kenya, for which a small travel contribution will be required.
How to Apply?
Interested applicants must complete and submit the official application form before the deadline. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their commitment to community-based conservation and articulate how the Fellowship aligns with their personal and organisational growth goals. Applications will be reviewed based on motivation, leadership potential, and relevance of work. Early preparation is encouraged to ensure all supporting materials are submitted on time.
Application Deadline
The final deadline to submit applications for the Community Conservation Fellowship is by midnight (BST) on 13 June 2025. Ensure all materials are submitted before the stated cutoff time.
Last Date To Apply
All applications must be submitted by 13 June 2025 (midnight BST). Late applications will not be considered, so applicants are encouraged to apply well in advance of the deadline.
Grant Amount
The Fellowship covers all training and programme costs, including online sessions and the in-person event. Fellows are only asked to contribute a modest portion of their travel expenses for Kenya.
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
