Common Purpose, in partnership with the Human Edge, is inviting environmentalists, nature activists and conservation organisations for its second edition of the Conservation and Communities Fellowship (CCF).
The 7-month fellowship is scheduled to run from November 2025 until May 2026. It will combine virtual and in-person sessions for 24 community-based conservation leaders from the Global South.
Together with building skills in mentorship and leadership, the CCF is designed to empower participants with knowledge of how to foster long-lasting communities of practice. Fellows will also strengthen their capabilities in fundraising, project design and evaluation–empowering both themselves and their organisation.
Benefits
The CCF is fully funded, although participants are expected to contribute a small amount towards travel costs for the in-person gathering in Kenya in November 2025.
Fellows will receive training, facilitation and peer support across four key streams:
Mentoring (led by The Human Edge): Focuses on developing the art of mentoring to improve leadership, management and interpersonal growth.
Leadership (led by Common Purpose): Enhances the ability to work with diverse stakeholders and build collaborative and cooperative communities for conservation.
Capabilities & Capacities (led by GDF Team and CCF Alumni): Covers technical skills such as proposal writing, project management, and team management.
Communities and Conservation (led by GDF Team and CCF Alumni): Provides space for dialogue and debate on policies, practices and public narratives on community-based conservation.
Eligibility
The Fellowship is open to leaders from the Global South working in local civil society or grassroots organisations focused on the intersection of biodiversity conservation and community livelihoods.
Ideal candidates are highly motivated individuals with a demonstrated commitment to bringing about positive change and strong leadership potential.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can apply through this link before June 13, 2025.
The Conservation and Communities Fellowship, organized by Common Purpose in partnership with the Human Edge, is inviting applications for its second edition. Scheduled from November 2025 to May 2026, the seven-month program will involve virtual and in-person sessions for 24 conservation leaders from the Global South. The fellowship aims to enhance skills in mentorship, leadership, fundraising, project design, and evaluation to foster community-based conservation practices.
The fully-funded fellowship, with a minimal expectation for travel cost contributions, covers four training streams: Mentoring, Leadership, Capabilities & Capacities, and Communities and Conservation, focusing on skill development and facilitating dialogue on conservation policies and narratives.
Eligible candidates are leaders from local civil society or grassroots organizations in the Global South working at the intersection of biodiversity conservation and community livelihoods. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to positive change and leadership potential. Applications deadlines are open until June 13, 2025.
