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WWF awards grants to community-based organizations to enhance local conservation leadership

2024 recipients of institutional grants from WWF’s Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program

As WWF celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program (EFN), we are proud to announce the 2024 recipients of institutional grants. This milestone marks three decades of fostering environmental stewardship through local institutions across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Since the first grants to community-based organizations in 1997 and the launch of the Train Legacy Program in 2016, which supports EFN alumni-led, conservation-focused university programs, WWF has supported over 600 institutions. These grants have helped build capacity for local communities and early-career leaders, ensuring the preservation of biodiversity while connecting nature with people.

Thirteen community-based organizations and one academic institution across 10 countries have been awarded these prestigious grants, continuing WWF’s commitment to inclusive conservation by supporting local organizations in strengthening education, training, and community empowerment. From advancing long-term forest restoration in Cameroon to nurturing the next generation of leaders in Brazil, the 2024 cohort continues to expand opportunities to collaborate with local and Indigenous communities to improve the health of forests and provide locally led solutions.

"A growing body of research on inclusive conservation highlights that conservation efforts are more successful and resilient when led by local communities who have the Indigenous and traditional knowledge of their lands and biodiversity," said Nelly Kadagi, director of EFN.

We are immensely grateful to celebrate 30 years of support from dedicated EFN alumni, the remarkable generosity of public and private partners, and the unwavering commitment of visionary leaders. Their collective contributions have ensured local leaders have the resources and opportunities to thrive over the past three decades.

We’re looking forward to what we can achieve together over the next 30 years. The complexity and gravity of today’s conservation challenges require an inclusive, collaborative approach. We must be bolder in building solid relationships to sustain and increase access to conservation leadership, leveraging one of WWF’s most valuable assets: the extensive EFN network of global conservation leaders.

A summary of this year’s award winners include:

  • 10 outstanding community-based organizations receiving Forest Restoration Grants. Designed to support local organizations that have been previously funded; these grants aim to build on their previous work by delivering nature-based solutions that enhance community forest restoration in a collaborative and efficient manner.
  • 3 outstanding community-based organizations receiving Environmental & Social Impact Grants. These competitive grants are designed to support local organizations that have been previously funded. The grants support local solutions that account for environmental and social risk mitigation and adaptation measures, aligning with the long-term vision of inclusive conservation and sustainable development.
  • 1 academic institution receiving the Train Legacy Scholarship. This scholarship, established in honor of Russell and Aileen Train, aims to partner with EFN alumni working at universities in biodiversity-rich countries to support early career scientists in obtaining degrees, enhancing their conservation skills, and creating a consistent pipeline of capable leaders.

The following are grant recipients listed by their focus areas:

2024 Forest Restoration Grants

Landscape of a forest with river valley

© APRODES

Asociación Peruana para la Promoción del Desarrollo Sostenible (APRODES)
  • Country: Peru
  • Grant: Forest Restoration Grant
  • Comprehensive and participatory approach to ecosystem restoration forestry and forest conservation in Chanchamayo, Junín region, Peru APRODE’s project will be implemented in San Ramón, the Pampa Hermosa Sanctuary buffer zones, and the Puyusacha forest. Cloud forests are unique ecosystems that are threatened due to agricultural expansion; since the farmers settled in these areas, buffer zones cut down trees to expand their agricultural production. The project will contribute to the conservation of biological diversity through the establishment of forest systems with native species that allow the recovery of degraded ecosystems under a comprehensive focus that includes actions to raise awareness among the population on conservation and care of the environment.
  • Website: https://www.aprodes.org
A lake in an area with thick vegetation, with a fishing boat

© ARCAS

Asociación Rescate y Conservación de Vida Silvestre (ARCAS)
  • Country: Guatemala
  • Grant: Forest Restoration Grant
  • Restoring the dry tropical forests and mangroves of the Hawaii Marine Protected Area, Pacific coast of Guatemala ARCAS administers the Hawaii Marine Protected Area (AUMH) on the Pacific coast of Guatemala, home to some of the most important sea turtle nesting beaches and mangrove forests in the country. It consists approximately of 50% mangroves to the north and 50% dry tropical forest, urban, and agricultural lands to the south. ARCAS carries out regular reforestation and enforcement efforts in the mangroves. The proposed work will focus on the health of the ecosystem, the landscape integrity, and the connectivity between ecosystems. ARCAS efforts will also restore forests in the dry forest area and the margins of the mangroves, ensuring biodiversity preservation and fostering sustainable conservation practices and livelihoods. The project aims to reforest public lands within the dry forest zone, including village parks, churches, schools, and roadsides, while improving the ecosystem health and landscape integrity of the area.
  • Website: https://arcasguatemala.org/
People in flooded area

© Nidia Ramos

Bay Islands Conservation Association (BICA)
  • Country: Honduras
  • Grant: Forest Restoration Grant
  • Conservation of Red Mangroves in the Bay Islands National Marine Park, Honduras The islands of Roatán and Guanaja in Honduras are part of the Bay Islands National Marine Park (BINMP) on the southern tip of the Mesoamerican Reef. They are surrounded by wetlands that include four species of mangroves. Due to their multiple ecological and economic benefits, three RAMSAR sites (protected wetland areas) have been declared in the BINMP. As a result of tourism development, land concessions, and poor execution of laws, deforestation and wetland fill has increased. Therefore, this project will recover degraded mangrove areas on the islands of Roatán and Guanaja through conservation strategies involving the beneficiary communities and private sector.
  • Website: https://www.bicainc.org
photo of person kneeling and digging dirt to plant a young tree

© Jenny Fernanda Espitia

Corporación para el Desarrollo del Medio Ambiente (CDMA)
  • Country: Colombia
  • Grant: Forest Restoration Grant
  • CBiodiversity Conservation through Ecological Restoration Participatory in the Farallones of Cali Through this project, CDMA will contribute to the conservation and recovery of areas of special ecological importance in Park Farallones de Cali National Natural Park. CDMA will strengthen connectivity and habitat protection processes of local fauna and flora and enhance the processes of participatory ecological restoration on properties located within the park. CDMA will also engage and include students and others from the local community by planting 10,000 slow and fast-growing seedlings.
  • Website: https://corporacioncdma.wixsite.com/cdma
Sign for Rumpi Hills Forest Reserve

© CENDEP

Centre for Nursery Development And Eru Propagation (CENDEP)
  • Country: Cameroon
  • Grant: Forest Restoration Grant
  • Restoring the Rumpi Hills Forest Reserve using Analog Forestry Techniques The goal of this project is to work with four communities around the Rumpi Hills Forest Reserve to restore the northwest segment that has been deforested due to encroachment by farmers and loggers. The reserve is state-owned and an important watershed with a surface area of 111,756 acres which studies indicate that 7,510 acres have been encroached upon. The Individual Nursery Scheme shall be used to produce tree seedlings for restoration work, while sensitization and education campaigns shall be carried out to ensure the reserve boundaries are respected so that the land can regain its ecological integrity over time.
  • Website: https://cendepcam.org/
People hiking up a hill in the forest

© Antonio Montejo Caba

EcoLogic Development Fund
  • Country: Guatemala
  • Grant: Forest Restoration Grant
  • Restoration and Sustainability in Six Communities of the Lachuá Lagoon EcoLogic Development Fund seeks to involve six communities that surround the protected area of the Lachuá Lagoon to establish areas of sustainable production through community agroforestry. They plan to use fast-growing trees such as Inga edulis in alley systems, in conjunction with valuable timber trees such as Swietenia macrophylla (mahogany), along with annual crops such as Zea mays (maize), perennial crops such as Elettaria cardamomum (cardamon), and various fruit trees. The main focus is to revitalize tired and neglected soil over a period of three years, inspired by the successful EcoLogic model in communities of the Ixcan.
  • Website: https://www.ecologic.org/
Three people planting a tree seedling

© Fundacion Aliados

Fundación Aliados
  • Country: Ecuador
  • Grant: Forest Restoration Grant
  • Tropical forest restoration and management program in the buffer zone between the Sumaco Galeras and Cayambe Coca National Reserves Fundación Aliados’ project will restore 49 acres of degraded pasture with 12,000 native and agroforestry trees in the Ecuadorian Andes-Amazon cloud forest. The cause of deforestation in this biodiversity hotspot is inefficient cattle farming due to a lack of capacity and sustainable economic alternatives. Aliados is expanding its long-term agroforestry and forest restoration program in the region with 21 landowners in the buffer areas of the Cayambe Coca and Sumaco Napo Galeras National Parks to strengthen capacity and livelihoods through agroforestry and agro-ecotourism. The long-term objective is to strengthen the Municipal Government's conservation and sustainable development plan over 165,500 acres.
  • Website: https://www.ecologic.org/
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© Andrea Morales

ProPetén Foundation
  • Country: Guatemala
  • Grant: Forest Restoration Grant
  • Bioitza: Restoring for the Conservation of Biological Diversity This project will be developed in the Bioitza Indigenous Community Reserve with an area of 8,896 acres located in the Mayan Biosphere Reserve buffer zone. This area is managed by the Bioitza Association, an organization that works on conservation and protection in alliance with the ProPetén Foundation. The organization is made up of community members from the Itzá Ethnicity. The goal of the project is to reforest 25 acres with native species and, with this, expand the reforested areas to 74 acres in an area of ecological importance in the region.
  • Website: https://www.propeten.org
photo of plantings lined up in nursery under cover of bamboo

© Madagasikara-Voakajy

Madagasikara Voakajy
  • Country: Madagascar
  • Grant: Forest Restoration Grant
  • Harmonizing Nature and Culture: Integrating Habitat Restoration, Community Empowerment, and Cultural Preservation for Varecia variegata Protection in Andazoana village, Mangabe protected area Mangabe Reserve is a sanctuary for Mantella auriantiaca (a small, terrestrial frog endemic to Madagascar) and 10 lemur species. Since 2019, Madagasikara Voakajy (MV) and local communities have been working together to tackle deforestation challenges. In 2023, MV engaged 5 communities in producing and planting 24,087 native seedlings with a 72.3% survival rate. However, challenges persisted in providing nurseries to other areas, notably where Varecia variegata (the Black and White Ruffed Lemur) resides in Andazoana. Recognizing Andazoana's cultural significance, MV integrates restoration with cultural preservation. The project targets restoring and conserving 6 hectares of Varecia variegata habitat by June 2025, with an 80% survival rate and engaging 70% of local communities in environmental education and conservation.
  • Website: https://www.madagasikara-voakajy.org/
Man kneels next to a recently planted tree

© WCN

Wildlife Conservation Nepal (WCN)
  • Country: Nepal
  • Grant: Forest Restoration Grant
  • Harmony in Habitat: Enhancing Wildlife and Livelihoods through Community Forest Restoration in Chitwan, Nepal WCN’s proposed reforestation area encompasses five buffer zone community forests of Chitwan, Nepal. Their project aims to engage stakeholders from these buffer zone communities to plant 10,000 native species in degraded areas of their forests, yielding manifold benefits for locals. Additionally, it will provide capacity-building training to 100 forest users on sustainable forest management, climate change, and green businesses. Furthermore, the project will conduct awareness sessions in five schools within these buffer zones, reaching out to 400 youth, and fostering understanding about climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation through interactive activities.
  • Website: https://www.wcn.org.np

2024 Environmental & Social Impact Grants

SCUBA diver underwater examining planted coral

© ANO_Kasim Mohamed

Africa Nature Organization
  • Country: Kenya
  • Grant: Environmental & Social Impact Grant
  • Strengthening the role of Civil Society Organizations in Promoting Environmental Protection through Environmental and Social Impact Assessments Africa Nature Organization aims to train 50 environmental civil society organizations with the skills and knowledge on environmental and social impact assessments. This will include monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of development policies, plans, programs, and projects that may have an adverse impact on the environment and people. The participants will also play an important role in providing sustainable alternatives to development proposals that balances development and environmental protection. The trained participants will be linked to national and county environmental networks such as the National Environment Civil Society Alliance of Kenya, Kilifi County Natural Resources Forum, Kwale County Natural Resources Network, and others to build a critical mass of individuals and organizations with these skills to increase the participation of civil society organizations and the public in general in environmental and social impact assessment processes.
  • Website: https://africanature.or.ke/
People watering a newly planted tree

© John Kiongo

Laikipia Wildlife Forum (LWF)
  • Country: Kenya
  • Grant: Environmental & Social Impact Grant
  • Improved water and waste management through community science in environmental and social safeguards within Likii River sub-catchment The proposed project aims to address the escalating challenges of water pollution and inadequate waste management in Likii River sub-catchment traversing Meru, Laikipia, and Nyeri counties. The Likii River is a critical water source for the town of Nanyuki, with a population of about 120,000. The project has three primary objectives: firstly, to build the capacity of stakeholders on water pollution and waste management; secondly, to promote community science for enhanced water quality and improved waste management; and thirdly, to cultivate a culture of self-responsibility and behavioral change among community members concerning water pollution and waste management.
  • Website: https://www.laikipia.org
Men in a canoe with buckets and gear

© BEVA Grilante

Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines, Université de Toliara Madagascar (IH.SM)
  • Country: Madagascar
  • Grant: Environmental & Social Impact Grant
  • Assessment of the socio-economic and ecological values of the seagrass meadows, case of Ranobe Bay, South-West Madagascar Seagrass beds are a marine ecosystem often referred to as a "blue carbon ecosystem" because they can sequester more than 15% of the total carbon stock in the oceans. This ecosystem covers around 10% of the surface of the world's coastal zones, but 30% of which have been degraded worldwide over the last 30 years, which is leading to the loss of their ecosystem services and values. This degradation can also lead to a reduction of income to the community of fishers. Therefore, this project seeks to understand the status of the seagrass ecosystem in Ranobe Bay, southwest of Madagascar, while also identifying and assessing the pressures and threats affecting it. Additionally, this project will evaluate the socio-economic values of the seagrass meadows as a fishing zone frequented by small-scale fishers. Raising awareness of this issue in the local community is necessary to improve their knowledge of the conservation challenges facing this ecosystem and to mobilize the community to work,restore, and conserve this habitat.
  • Website: https://www.ihsm.mg

2024 Train Legacy Scholarship

This year’s recipient of the 2024 Train Legacy Scholarship, Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (IPÊ), was co-founded by EFN alumna Dr. Suzana Padua. EFN has partnered with IPÊ for over five years through the Train Legacy Scholarship to enhance its dedication to active research, professional training, and environmental education of early career leaders receiving undergraduate and master's programs. IPÊ will support the following four emerging scientists and conservation leaders in the next two to three years focused on a range of academic and research aimed from analyzing existing environmental compensation programs, to restoring degraded forested areas and to assess the impact of monocultures on the diversity of wildlife mammals in Brazil.

Photo of Gabriel Garcia standing on balcony overlooking the sea

© Milena Lambert Rezende

Gabriel Garcia
  • Country: Brazil
  • Grant: Train Legacy Scholarship
  • Degree: Professional Master Program on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development
  • Institute: Escola Superior de Conservação Ambiental e Sustentabilidade, Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (ESCAS - IPÊ), Brazil
  • Gabriel Garcia’s research will focus on analyzing existing environmental compensation programs in the state of São Paulo. Many companies and municipal environmental departments rely on actions that overlook biodiversity, the native species of each region, and the landscape and urban impact, which disrupts the dynamic balance of natural ecosystems. His research will include a literature review of these programs and propose an approach that prioritizes biodiversity, native flora and fauna, and urban planning. The goal is to develop a strategy for urban afforestation as a method to offset the carbon footprint of industrial and commercial activities.
photo of Lais D'Isep dos Santos standing among mangrove plantings

© Laís D'Isep dos Santos

Laís D'Isep
  • Country: Brazil
  • Grant: Train Legacy Scholarship
  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Agrology/Professional Master Program on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development
  • Institute: Escola Superior de Conservação Ambiental e Sustentabilidade, Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (ESCAS - IPÊ), Brazil
  • Laís D'Isep is working to mobilize and structure the Araguaia Seed Network (Ressemear) to include local communities—mostly family farmers and riverside people—in the ecological restoration supply chain through the collection and processing of native seeds and to promote a sustainable income for these communities. This work is an excellent example of a green economy initiative based on a socio-biodiversity product (the native forest seeds). By being in close contact with the communities, Laís will be able to monitor the changes that Ressemear promotes in human, social, environmental, financial, and physical capital.
photo of Paulo Toscano standing on walking bridge over wetlands

© Paulo-Toscano

Paulo Toscano
  • Country: Brazil
  • Grant: Train Legacy Scholarship
  • Degree: Professional Master Program on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development
  • Institute: Escola Superior de Conservação Ambiental e Sustentabilidade, Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (ESCAS - IPÊ), Brazil
  • Paulo Toscano will be analyzing the socioeconomic development provided by the ARR Corridors of Life Group Project. This project aims to create ecological corridors by restoring natural vegetation in the Atlantic Forest, promoting connectivity between the remaining forest fragments in 185,329 acres of degraded areas in the Pontal do Paranapanema region, in western São Paulo. This research will involve the minority groups in the project's activities that promote environmental conservation. The potential results are: to determine the number of jobs generated by the project; to determine the financial impact caused by the project on families, considering the jobs generated by the project; to determine the number of women involved in the project's activities; to determine the number of young people involved in the project; and to determine the number of people trained by the project.
photo of woman attaching a camera trap to the base of a tree

© Paula Damasceno Gomes

Rafaela Azzolin
  • Country: Brazil
  • Grant: Train Legacy Scholarship
  • Degree: Professional Master Program on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development
  • Institute: Escola Superior de Conservação Ambiental e Sustentabilidade, Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (ESCAS - IPÊ), Brazil
  • Rafaela Azzolin aims to assess the impact of monocultures on the diversity of wildlife mammals in modified areas within Brazil’s Cerrado using camera traps. The Cerrado is the second largest biome in Brazil, considered the richest savanna in the world and one of the global "hotspots" for biodiversity conservation. The waters originating from this biome sustain six of Brazil's eight major river basins. Over the years, the Cerrado has undergone significant habitat conversion due to the expansion of agricultural frontiers. Conserving the Cerrado is essential to maintaining ecosystem services, ensuring water supply for Brazilian regions, and protecting biodiversity, especially endemic species, to promote a balanced environment worldwide. Rafaela’s study will be conducted on five agricultural properties, with 25 camera traps installed at interface locations between cropland and legal reserves. Based on the results, it will be possible to estimate in which monoculture, at which crop cycle, and during which period the highest species diversity occurred.

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