GDF Conservation and Communities Fellowship (CCF) 2025

Omran Aburayya
May 12
2 min read

If you're a passionate conservation leader from the Global South working at the intersection of biodiversity and community livelihoods, the GDF Conservation and Communities Fellowship (CCF) 2025 offers a transformative opportunity to enhance your leadership, mentoring, and technical skills. This fully-funded, 7-month hybrid program is designed to support 24 changemakers through a combination of online learning and an in-person convening in Kenya.

📌 Fellowship Summary

Location: Online & In-person (Kenya)
Host Institutions: Global Diversity Foundation (GDF), Common Purpose, The Human Edge
Target Group: Leaders from grassroots or local civil society organizations in the Global South
Fields of Focus: Biodiversity Conservation, Community Livelihoods, Leadership, Mentoring, Fundraising, Project Management
Value & Coverage: Fully-funded program; participants contribute a modest amount towards travel costs for the in-person event
Duration: 7 months (November 2025 – May 2026)
Application Deadline: 13 June 2025 (Midnight BST)
Program Start Date: 11 November 2025
Eligibility: Applicants from the Global South leading or managing grassroots organizations focused on conservation and community livelihoods

🎓CCF Fellowship Overview

The Conservation and Communities Fellowship is a collaborative initiative by GDF, Common Purpose, and The Human Edge, aiming to strengthen the capacities of grassroots conservation leaders. The program emphasizes contextual approaches, peer-to-peer learning, and the decolonization of funding practices. It seeks to create a sustainable network of conservation leaders who can access funding directly and implement impactful projects in their communities.

📚 Program Structure

The fellowship comprises four key learning streams:

Mentoring (The Human Edge): Develop skills to mentor others effectively, enhancing management and relationship-building capabilities.
Leadership (Common Purpose): Enhance the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and build collaborative communities for conservation outcomes.
Capabilities & Capacities (GDF Team and CCF Alumni): Strengthen technical skills, including proposal writing, project management, and team leadership.
Communities and Conservation (GDF Team and CCF Alumni): Engage in critical dialogue about community-based conservation policies and practices.
In-person convening: An in-person convening in Kenya in November 2025 will provide fellows with the opportunity to deepen their learning and network with peers.

🎁 Fellowship Benefits

Comprehensive training in leadership, mentoring, and technical skills
Access to a global network of conservation professionals
Opportunity to engage in peer-to-peer learning and critical dialogues
Support in fundraising and project design
Participation in an in-person convening in Kenya

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be from the Global South and lead or manage grassroots organizations focused on biodiversity conservation and community livelihoods.
Demonstrated commitment to positive change and leadership potential.
Ability to critically assess personal and organizational challenges.
Proficiency in English, as the program is conducted in English.