Applications are now open for the WWF-Amano Fellowship 2027, an intensive nine-month virtual leadership development programme designed to support young Ugandans who are actively contributing to conservation, climate action, environmental education, sustainable development, or community transformation.

Organised by WWF International in collaboration with the Amano So Global Mentorship Network, the fellowship provides emerging environmental leaders with access to mentorship, expert-led workshops, peer learning, strategic leadership development and an international network of young changemakers.

The programme is particularly suitable for young people who are already taking action in their communities and want to strengthen their ability to create meaningful and lasting impact for nature, people and sustainable development.

About the WWF-Amano Fellowship 2027

The WWF-Amano Fellowship is a nine-month virtual leadership development programme created to help emerging conservation and environmental leaders develop the knowledge, confidence, networks and practical leadership skills required to advance positive change.

The fellowship combines several areas of development, including:

• Conservation awareness
• Leadership development
• Strategic thinking
• Emotional resilience
• Mentorship
• Peer learning
• Community engagement
• Environmental advocacy

One of the major advantages of the programme is its virtual format. Fellows can participate in the programme while continuing their existing employment, education, businesses, conservation activities or community initiatives.

Rather than requiring participants to leave their ongoing work, the fellowship is designed to complement what they are already doing.

What Is the Aim of the WWF-Amano Fellowship?

The programme is focused on developing a new generation of environmental leaders who can contribute to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development at the community level.

Many environmental challenges require strong leadership beyond technical knowledge. Young people working in conservation and community development may need to understand how to build partnerships, influence decision-makers, communicate effectively, develop strategies and maintain resilience when working on complex environmental issues.

The WWF-Amano Fellowship seeks to strengthen these abilities by bringing together young changemakers for a structured learning and mentorship experience.

Through the programme, fellows can develop the capacity to:

• Strengthen their leadership abilities.
• Improve their strategic thinking.
• Build professional and personal networks.
• Learn from experienced conservation professionals.
• Exchange ideas with other young environmental leaders.
• Better understand conservation and sustainable development challenges.
• Increase their ability to influence environmental initiatives and policies.
• Develop approaches for creating measurable community impact.

Fellowship Duration and Format

The WWF-Amano Fellowship will run for nine months.

The programme will be conducted online, allowing participants to remain active in their existing professional, academic or community activities.

The virtual programme is expected to involve activities such as:

• Mentorship meetings
• Group mentoring sessions
• One-on-one coaching
• Expert-led workshops
• Guest speaker sessions
• Peer discussions
• Knowledge-sharing activities
• Other online learning and leadership development activities

Participants will therefore need access to a reliable internet connection and sufficient time to participate consistently.

Key Benefits of the WWF-Amano Fellowship

Selected fellows will have access to several leadership and professional development opportunities.

1. Group Mentoring

Participants will take part in group mentoring with experienced conservation professionals. These sessions provide opportunities to learn from individuals with practical experience in environmental and conservation work.

2. Personalised One-on-One Coaching

The programme also provides personalised coaching, allowing fellows to receive more focused guidance as they develop their leadership capabilities.

3. Expert-Led Workshops

Fellows will participate in interactive workshops led by experienced environmental leaders and professionals.

These sessions are intended to strengthen practical knowledge and expose participants to different approaches to conservation, leadership and sustainable development.

4. International and Regional Networking

The fellowship brings together young changemakers from Uganda, Africa and beyond.

This provides an opportunity to establish relationships with other people working on environmental and community issues and potentially develop future collaborations.

5. Peer Learning

Participants will have opportunities to share experiences, challenges and solutions with fellow environmental leaders.

Peer learning can be particularly valuable because participants may be working on different environmental challenges and can learn from approaches being used in other communities.

6. Leadership Development

The programme focuses strongly on developing leadership capabilities, including strategic thinking, confidence, resilience and the ability to influence positive change.

7. Greater Conservation Knowledge

Fellows can strengthen their understanding of conservation and sustainable development issues and explore approaches that can be applied within their own communities.

8. Stronger Professional Networks

Participants can build social and professional capital that may help them engage more effectively with conservation initiatives, community organisations and environmental policy processes.

9. Practical Community Impact

The fellowship is designed for people who are already involved in creating positive change. The knowledge, mentorship and networks gained through the programme can therefore be applied to existing or future community and environmental initiatives.

Who Is the WWF-Amano Fellowship Looking For?

The programme is intended for young Ugandan environmental and community leaders aged 21–30.

Applicants should be people who are already demonstrating a commitment to environmental or community-based action rather than individuals with no previous involvement in these areas.

The programme particularly welcomes applicants who are contributing to areas such as:

• Nature conservation
• Biodiversity protection
• Climate advocacy
• Environmental education
• Sustainable entrepreneurship
• Community development
• Environmental awareness
• Conservation-related initiatives
• Other activities contributing to positive environmental or community change

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the WWF-Amano Fellowship, applicants should meet the following requirements.

Age

Applicants must be 21 to 30 years old.

Nationality

The fellowship is specifically open to young Ugandans.

Demonstrated Environmental or Community Engagement

Applicants should have evidence that they have been involved in conservation, environmental activities, climate advocacy, environmental education, sustainable entrepreneurship or related community initiatives.

The fellowship is therefore aimed at emerging leaders who are already doing work that contributes to positive change.

Evidence of Impact

Applicants are expected to demonstrate how their work, project or initiative has contributed to positive environmental or community outcomes.

This could include involvement in projects, advocacy activities, education initiatives, conservation programmes, community mobilisation or other relevant work.

English Language

Applicants must have strong spoken and written English skills because programme activities will be conducted in English.

Time Commitment

Fellows must be able to dedicate approximately 5–8 hours per month to fellowship activities.

This may include:

• Mentor group meetings
• Expert workshops
• Guest speaker sessions
• Peer discussions
• Other fellowship activities

Internet Access

Because the fellowship is delivered virtually, applicants should have reliable internet connectivity that allows them to participate in online meetings, workshops and other programme activities.

Who Is Particularly Encouraged to Apply?

The programme highlights the importance of supporting diverse and emerging environmental leaders.

In particular, the fellowship encourages applications from:

• Individuals from local communities involved in conservation.
• Individuals from Indigenous communities with demonstrated conservation involvement.
• Young women working in environmental and conservation fields.
• Applicants from underserved or marginalised communities.
• Early-career emerging environmental leaders.
• Mid-career emerging leaders who meet the age and other requirements.

The key consideration is that applicants should be able to demonstrate genuine involvement and positive impact in conservation, environmental action or community development.

What Kind of Experience Can Strengthen an Application?

Applicants should be able to demonstrate practical involvement in environmental or community activities.

Relevant experience may include participation in:

• Conservation projects
• Climate action campaigns
• Environmental education programmes
• Community environmental initiatives
• Sustainable businesses or entrepreneurship
• Biodiversity-related activities
• Community awareness campaigns
• Environmental advocacy
• Youth-led environmental initiatives
• Projects addressing local environmental challenges

Applicants should focus on demonstrating what they have done, the role they played and the impact their work created.

How to Apply for the WWF-Amano Fellowship 2027

Interested applicants are required to prepare a one-page brief about themselves.

The brief should highlight the applicant’s:

• Background
• Leadership experience
• Conservation involvement
• Environmental activities
• Community engagement
• Relevant achievements or impact

The application should clearly provide the following information:

1. Full name
2. Date of birth
3. Email address
4. Telephone number
5. Evidence of conservation, environmental or community engagement experience

Applicants should ensure that their information is clear, accurate and easy to review.

Where to Submit the Application

Applications should be submitted by email to:

recruitment@wwfuganda.org

Applicants should ensure that their application reaches the organisation before the stated deadline.

WWF-Amano Fellowship 2027 Application Deadline

The application deadline is:

16 September 2026

Applicants are encouraged to prepare and submit their applications early rather than waiting until the final day.

Since the application requires evidence of previous conservation, environmental or community engagement, applicants should allow enough time to prepare a clear one-page profile and supporting information.

Why This Fellowship Could Be Valuable for Young Environmental Leaders

Environmental leadership requires more than simply understanding environmental problems. Young leaders often need the ability to mobilise communities, communicate ideas, build partnerships, influence policies and develop practical solutions.

The WWF-Amano Fellowship combines leadership development with conservation awareness, mentorship and networking.

For a young Ugandan already working on environmental or community issues, the programme could therefore provide an opportunity to strengthen existing capabilities while remaining engaged in ongoing activities.

The emphasis on strategic thinking, emotional resilience and peer learning can also help participants approach complex environmental challenges with greater confidence and a broader perspective.

Learn more about this opportunity HERE

Application Preparation Tips

Before submitting an application, prospective applicants should consider the following:

Clearly explain your impact

Do not simply list environmental activities you have participated in. Explain what you actually contributed and what changed as a result.

Highlight leadership

The fellowship is a leadership development programme, so applicants should demonstrate examples of taking initiative, leading activities, mobilising people or helping to solve community problems.

Keep the one-page profile focused

Because the application requires a one-page brief, applicants should prioritise their strongest and most relevant experiences rather than attempting to include every activity they have ever undertaken.

Demonstrate your environmental commitment

Make the connection between your experience and conservation, climate action, environmental education, sustainable entrepreneurship or community development clear.

Check your contact information

Ensure that your full name, email address and telephone number are correct so that the organisers can contact you if necessary.

Apply before the deadline

Applications must be submitted by 16 September 2026. Early submission is recommended.

Conclusion

The WWF-Amano Fellowship 2027 provides an important leadership development opportunity for young Ugandans already working to create positive environmental and community change.

Through its nine-month virtual format, the programme combines conservation awareness with leadership development, strategic thinking, emotional resilience, mentorship, expert workshops and peer learning. Fellows can remain active in their studies, employment, businesses or community initiatives while developing new skills and expanding their professional networks.

The fellowship is particularly relevant to young conservationists, climate advocates, environmental educators, sustainable entrepreneurs and community changemakers who can demonstrate genuine involvement and positive impact.

Eligible applicants should prepare their one-page profile carefully and submit their application to recruitment@wwfuganda.org before the 16 September 2026 deadline.

This opportunity is specifically for young Ugandan environmental and community leaders aged 21–30, making it a strong platform for emerging leaders who want to strengthen their ability to contribute to conservation, sustainable development and lasting community transformation.

Discover more global Fellowship opportunities on OFY HERE