Applications are now open for the WWF–Amano Fellowship 2027, an international leadership development programme designed for young Malagasy leaders who are already contributing to nature conservation, sustainable development, environmental advocacy, education, policy, communication, sustainable entrepreneurship, or related areas.

Launched through WWF Madagascar, the fellowship is implemented by WWF International in partnership with Amano So. The programme aims to help emerging leaders strengthen their leadership capacity, expand their international networks, receive mentoring and personalized coaching, and increase the positive impact of their work for people and nature.

The WWF–Amano Fellowship 2027 will run for nine months and will be delivered entirely online, making it possible for selected participants to remain engaged in their existing professional, academic, community, or conservation activities while participating in the programme.

The opportunity is specifically directed toward young Malagasy leaders aged 21 to 30 who have already led or contributed to an initiative that has created positive impact for communities and nature.

Participants should also be prepared to complete the fellowship entirely in English.

The application deadline is 5 September 2026.

About the WWF–Amano Fellowship 2027

The WWF–Amano Fellowship 2027 is an international leadership development experience for young people committed to conservation and sustainable development.

The programme recognizes that addressing environmental challenges requires more than technical expertise alone. Effective conservation leadership also depends on the ability to communicate, build partnerships, work across sectors, understand communities, influence decision-makers, develop initiatives, and sustain personal and organizational impact.

For this reason, the fellowship combines several different forms of learning and professional development over a nine-month period.

Selected fellows will participate in:

• Group mentoring
• Personalized coaching
• Workshops facilitated by international experts
• Exchanges with a global community of young leaders
• Leadership development activities
• International networking
• Opportunities to reflect on and strengthen their existing conservation work

The programme is intended to help participants move from existing experience toward greater leadership responsibility and wider influence.

Who Organizes the Fellowship?

The programme is being promoted in Madagascar by WWF Madagascar.

According to the call for applications, the fellowship is implemented by:

• WWF International
• In partnership with Amano So

WWF is widely involved in conservation initiatives related to biodiversity, ecosystems, sustainable development, environmental governance, community engagement, and the relationship between people and nature.

The partnership with Amano So places a strong emphasis on leadership development, mentoring, coaching, and supporting emerging leaders as they strengthen their ability to create long-term impact.

Programme Duration

The WWF–Amano Fellowship runs for:

Nine months

The entire programme is conducted online.

This format allows participants to take part without relocating or leaving their current communities, organizations, projects, or professional responsibilities for an extended residential programme.

Applicants should nevertheless recognize that a nine-month leadership programme requires meaningful commitment.

The call specifically states that candidates should be ready to participate throughout the full nine-month period.

Programme Language

The fellowship is delivered:

Entirely in English

Applicants should therefore ensure that they are comfortable participating in:

• Online workshops
• Mentoring conversations
• Coaching sessions
• Group discussions
• International networking
• Professional exchanges

in English.

The materials provided do not specify a formal English-language certificate requirement such as IELTS or TOEFL. However, candidates should realistically assess whether their English ability is sufficient to participate actively throughout the programme.

What Participants Will Receive

The WWF–Amano Fellowship combines mentorship, coaching, international expertise, and peer learning.

Group Mentoring

Selected participants will receive access to group mentoring.

Group mentoring can provide fellows with an opportunity to learn not only from mentors but also from the experiences and challenges of other participants.

Because conservation challenges often cross professional and geographic boundaries, a group format can also encourage fellows to consider perspectives outside their immediate field.

Personalized Coaching

The programme also includes individualized coaching.

Personalized coaching provides a more focused space for participants to examine their own leadership development.

Depending on the participant’s work and goals, coaching may support reflection on areas such as:

• Leadership style
• Professional development
• Decision-making
• Personal effectiveness
• Strategic priorities
• Career direction
• Challenges affecting current initiatives
• Approaches to increasing impact

The call emphasizes that fellows will have opportunities to strengthen their leadership and expand the impact of their work.

Workshops with International Experts

Participants will take part in workshops led by international experts.

These sessions form an important part of the programme’s global learning environment.

The supplied programme description does not list the exact workshop curriculum or individual speakers. Applicants should therefore consult the official programme information for any additional details on session topics.

However, the call clearly presents these workshops as a core element of the fellowship’s leadership development experience.

Global Network of Young Leaders

Fellows will become part of a broader international community of young leaders and mentors.

This network can help participants connect with people who are addressing conservation and sustainable-development challenges in different contexts.

For Malagasy participants, the international dimension is particularly important because it provides exposure beyond their immediate local or national networks.

The programme seeks to help fellows:

• Expand their professional network
• Learn from other young conservation leaders
• Exchange experiences
• Build relationships with mentors
• Participate in an international leadership community

International Leadership Development Experience

The programme is explicitly framed as an international leadership development opportunity.

Participants will not simply attend isolated webinars. Instead, they will take part in a structured nine-month experience combining several development mechanisms.

These include:

• Mentoring
• Coaching
• Expert workshops
• Peer learning
• International networking
• Reflection on leadership
• Opportunities to strengthen existing impact

The overall objective is to help young leaders become more effective in advancing conservation and sustainable development.

Who Should Apply?

The fellowship is looking for young Malagasy leaders who are already engaged in work connected to conservation or sustainable development.

Applicants should be:

• Between 21 and 30 years old
• Malagasy
• Engaged in conservation or a related field
• Experienced in contributing to initiatives that benefit communities and nature
• Interested in strengthening their leadership
• Motivated to increase the impact of their work
• Ready to participate in a nine-month programme conducted entirely in English

The programme is therefore not limited to people with conventional conservation job titles.

Applicants may come from a wide variety of professional backgrounds.

Relevant Fields and Areas of Engagement

The call specifically mentions young people working in conservation or related areas, including:

• Nature conservation
• Environmental communication
• Advocacy
• Environmental education
• Public policy
• Sustainable entrepreneurship

The phrase “etc.” in the original call indicates that these examples are not necessarily exhaustive.

A candidate may therefore be relevant even if their professional title does not contain words such as “conservation” or “environment.”

The more important consideration is whether their work contributes meaningfully to people, nature, sustainability, or environmental action.

Conservation

Young people already participating in nature-conservation initiatives may be especially well aligned with the programme.

This could involve initiatives related to:

• Biodiversity
• Ecosystems
• Wildlife
• Sustainable natural-resource management
• Community conservation
• Environmental protection

The source does not restrict applicants to one specific conservation discipline.

Communication

Communication is explicitly listed as a relevant field.

Young professionals using media, storytelling, communications, campaigns, public engagement, or other communication tools to support conservation may therefore be eligible.

Strong environmental outcomes often depend on whether scientific and policy ideas can be communicated clearly to communities and decision-makers.

Advocacy

The fellowship also welcomes young leaders engaged in advocacy.

This may include individuals working to influence:

• Environmental awareness
• Community behavior
• Institutional decisions
• Public policy
• Conservation priorities
• Sustainable practices

Applicants should be able to show that their advocacy is connected to positive outcomes for people and nature.

Environmental Education

Young people involved in environmental education are also specifically encouraged.

This may include work with:

• Schools
• Youth groups
• Community organizations
• Environmental programmes
• Conservation campaigns
• Public-awareness initiatives

Environmental educators can play an important role in creating long-term changes in attitudes and practices.

Public Policy

Young people involved in public policy or policy-related conservation work may also fit the fellowship profile.

This could include individuals contributing to:

• Environmental policy
• Sustainable-development policy
• Natural-resource governance
• Climate-related policy
• Community-development strategies

The call does not require applicants to be government employees.

Sustainable Entrepreneurship

The programme also recognizes sustainable entrepreneurship as a relevant field.

Entrepreneurs or social innovators developing environmentally responsible solutions may therefore be strong candidates.

This reflects the broader understanding that conservation challenges require participation from multiple sectors, including civil society, government, education, communications, business, and entrepreneurship.

Previous Impact Is Important

An important element of the eligibility profile is previous engagement.

Applicants should have already:

Led or contributed to an initiative that created a positive impact for communities and nature.

This suggests the programme is looking for candidates who can demonstrate practical engagement rather than interest alone.

An applicant does not necessarily need to have founded an organization or led a major national project.

The wording explicitly includes people who have either:

• Led an initiative, or
• Contributed to an initiative

This creates room for candidates who have played meaningful roles within teams, organizations, community projects, campaigns, or environmental programmes.

What Could Count as Relevant Experience?

The source does not provide a formal list of qualifying projects, so applicants should avoid assuming any particular activity automatically qualifies.

However, a strong application would likely benefit from clearly explaining:

• What initiative the applicant worked on
• What role they personally played
• What challenge the initiative addressed
• Who benefited
• What positive impact resulted
• How the activity contributed to conservation or sustainable development
• What the applicant learned from the experience
• Why they now want to strengthen their leadership

The emphasis should remain on actual contribution and impact.

Leadership Potential

The WWF–Amano Fellowship is not described simply as technical conservation training.

Leadership development is at the center of the programme.

Applicants should therefore be able to explain:

• Why they want to strengthen their leadership
• How stronger leadership would improve their work
• What impact they hope to create in the future
• How they would use the fellowship experience
• Why international connections would matter to their work

The strongest candidates are likely to demonstrate a clear relationship between their existing work, future ambitions, and the opportunities offered by the fellowship.

Benefits of the WWF–Amano Fellowship

The programme highlights several forms of support for selected participants.

These include:

Group Mentoring

Participants will learn with the support of mentors and other fellows.

Personalized Coaching

Individual coaching will support fellows in developing their leadership and professional effectiveness.

International Expert Workshops

Participants will take part in workshops facilitated by experts from international backgrounds.

Global Network

Fellows will connect with a global community of:

• Young leaders
• Mentors
• Conservation professionals
• Other programme participants

International Experience

Although delivered online, the programme provides participants with an international leadership-development environment.

Skills Development

The fellowship offers an opportunity to strengthen professional and leadership competencies.

Network Expansion

Participants can build relationships beyond their current national and professional circles.

Greater Conservation Impact

The overall purpose is to help fellows increase the effectiveness and reach of their work in conservation and sustainable development.

Why the Fellowship Matters for Young Malagasy Leaders

Madagascar’s young leaders can bring important local knowledge, professional expertise, community experience, and innovative approaches to conservation.

The WWF–Amano Fellowship creates a bridge between that local experience and an international leadership network.

Rather than removing participants from their communities for a long residential period, the online model allows them to continue engaging with local issues while learning from mentors and peers internationally.

This creates an opportunity for participants to bring international perspectives back into their existing work.

At the same time, Malagasy perspectives can contribute to the global community participating in the programme.

Application Deadline

Applications for the WWF–Amano Fellowship 2027 must be submitted by:

5 September 2026

Candidates are encouraged to prepare and submit their applications before the final day.

Because the programme seeks candidates with existing leadership and conservation experience, applicants may benefit from taking time to reflect carefully on their previous initiatives, future goals, and motivation for joining the programme.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete the online application form provided for the WWF–Amano Fellowship 2027.

APPLY HERE

Additional information about Amano So can be found HERE.

Applicants should review the official application form carefully before submitting and ensure that all required information is complete.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Application

Although the source material does not provide detailed selection criteria or application questions, applicants can prepare by organizing the information most relevant to the programme.

Consider preparing clear examples covering the following areas.

1. Your Conservation Engagement

Explain what you are currently doing and how it relates to conservation, sustainable development, communities, or nature.

2. Your Previous Initiative

Identify a project or initiative you have led or supported.

Explain your personal role rather than only describing what the organization accomplished.

3. Your Impact

Show what changed because of the initiative.

Where possible, use concrete examples rather than general statements.

4. Your Leadership Goals

Explain why you want to develop as a leader and what leadership challenges you currently face.

5. Your Future Contribution

Show how the fellowship could help you increase your impact after the nine-month programme.

6. Your International Learning Goals

Think about what you hope to learn from an international network of young leaders and mentors.

7. Your English Readiness

Because the programme is delivered entirely in English, applicants should be confident that they can participate effectively in discussions, workshops, coaching, and mentoring.

Important Information to Remember

Before applying, candidates should remember the following core facts:

• The programme is for young Malagasy leaders.
• Applicants should be aged 21–30.
• The fellowship lasts nine months.
• Participation is entirely online.
• The programme is conducted completely in English.
• Applicants should already be engaged in conservation or a related field.
• Previous contribution to a positive community or nature initiative is expected.
• Mentoring and personalized coaching are included.
• International expert workshops are part of the programme.
• Fellows join an international network of young leaders and mentors.
• The application deadline is 5 September 2026.

Conclusion

The WWF–Amano Fellowship 2027 offers an important leadership-development opportunity for young Malagasy professionals and changemakers who are already working to support conservation, sustainable development, communities, and nature.

Over nine months, selected participants will take part in an entirely online programme combining group mentoring, personalized coaching, international expert workshops, networking, and leadership development.

The programme is particularly relevant to young people aged 21 to 30 who have moved beyond simply being interested in environmental issues and have already contributed to real initiatives creating positive impact.

Applicants may work directly in conservation or in related fields such as environmental communication, advocacy, education, public policy, or sustainable entrepreneurship.

What connects these different backgrounds is a commitment to creating positive outcomes for people and nature.

For young Malagasy leaders seeking to strengthen their leadership, deepen their professional capacity, expand their international networks, and increase the impact of their work, the WWF–Amano Fellowship offers a structured pathway for growth while allowing participants to remain connected to their own communities throughout the programme.

The application deadline is 5 September 2026.

For more global fellowships and youth opportunities, VISIT HERE.