CONSERVATION JUSTICE PROGRAMME
Pathways to Justice and Equity Across the Conservation Sector
Why Conservation Justice Matters
Conservation is at a crossroads.
Indigenous and local communities are protecting the remaining refuges of biodiversity, drawing on their ancestral knowledge to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and advocating for the right to determine conservation futures in their homes.
Research shows that community-led conservation is one of the most promising approaches to addressing the current biodiversity and climate crises.
The challenge? Most conservation decision-making remains in the hands of powerful Global North actors. Mainstream conservation practice does not yet centre social justice and equity, and community-based conservation remains underfunded and underacknowledged.
⇒ It is now, more than ever, time for indigenous and local communities to be the leaders, owners and catalysers of conservation initiatives.
CONSERVATION JUSTICE PROGRAMME
The Conservation Justice Programme (CJP) builds on decades of GDF’s work in community-based conservation by designing direct tailored support for Global South conservation practitioners and grassroots leaders. It is an integrated ecosystem of programmes that offers knowledge sharing, community learning and network-building. It engages Global North allies and donors, inviting them to join and contribute to collective endeavours for environmental and social justice.
CORE PILLARS
Conservation & Communities Fellowship (CCF)
A 5-month leadership and organisational development programme supporting Global South conservation leaders and organisations to:
- Enhance conservation initiatives;
- Fund their projects and grow their networks;
- Participate in skills building, peer exchange, and mentoring;
- Engage in post-fellowship offerings, including grants to host MSc interns, seed fund grants, collective publication and ongoing individual mentoring.


Conservation Futures Dialogues (CFD)
An open-ended, open-hearted collective inquiry gathering diverse actors within the field of conservation to reimagine its future and envision collective action to get there.
- In-depth one-to-one interviews with diverse conservation stakeholders;
- Public discussions & podcasts with leading scholars and practitioners in the field;
- Working groups bringing donors, NGOs, grassroots initiatives and communities together;
- Cutting-edge workshops fostering new imaginaries.


Alumni Programme (AP)
A comprehensive programme offering alumni from the CCF and GLP spaces for learning, skills-building, mentoring and scaling up their impact and outreach.
- Monthly clinics on proposal writing, project management & communications;
- Self-organised regional hubs and international networking;
- A database and media platform featuring alumni work;
- Opportunities to become CCF trainers, facilitators or advisors;
- Connecting with relevant global networks like the Global Environments Network for greater visibility and opportunities.

Grassroots Leadership Programme (GLP)
A conservation leadership programme tailored to indigenous youth who seek to lead environmental, economic and cultural resilience work in their communities. This programme will be launched in 2025/2026, and is a collaboration with GroundUp Conservation (India) and Jasiri Sustainable Futures (Kenya) which supports participants to:
- Lead conservation and cultural resilience initiatives in their communities;
- Access training and funding opportunities;
- Join a global network of conservation leaders.
👉 Stay tuned for more information about the GLP
Together, we aim to create a world where conservation centres equity, community leadership, and sustainability.
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