The Alumni Programme extends the support and impact of the Conservation and Communities Fellowship and the Grassroot Leadership Programme, creating space and opportunities for continued growth, collaboration and leadership among the Conservation Justice Programme alumni community. 

Core Pillars of the Alumni Programme

Skill Development Clinics

We provide alumni with targeted training and tailored support to advance their work:

• Communications: Developing effective messaging strategies to convey impactful stories. 
• Proposal Writing: Building strong proposals to secure support for their initiatives.
• Specialised Topics: Addressing specific challenges and knowledge gaps, including conservation policies, HR management and organisational strategy. 
• Individual Mentoring: Experienced mentors offer personalised guidance, tailored to alumni’s unique needs and career aspirations.

Networking & Visibility to Promote Alumni Achievements

Empowering alumni to expand their reach and amplify their impact:

• Connecting to Broader Networks: Linking alumni to relevant professional networks for greater visibility and new opportunities.
• Spotlighting Alumni Efforts: Highlighting alumni impacts and work to donors, funders, partners, and collaborators.
• Organising Regional Meetings: Encouraging collaboration, knowledge exchange, and community building among alumni.

Alumni-Led Impact

Alumni take on active roles in shaping future conservation efforts by:

• Alumni Advisory Committee: Collaborating to design future fellowships and supporting outreach to identify potential candidates and partners within grassroots networks.
• Contributing to the core training programme as workshop leaders or mentors for fellows. 
• Guiding and co-designing new Grassroots Leadership Programme iterations with current fellows. 
• Facilitating the transition of outgoing Fellows into the Alumni network, with the GDF team. 

A Model for Sustainable Impact

The Alumni Programme offers alumni of our Conservation Justice Programme spaces to imagine and realise interconnected initiatives and proposals, with GDF’s support. 

By combining GDF’s strategic support with alumni expertise and grassroots experience, this model creates a dynamic, mutually reinforcing ecosystem that empowers both current fellows and the communities they serve, ensuring sustainable, long-term impact.