Charles R. Wall Young African Policy Fellows Cohort 2024

The 9 months program is offered by the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Being part of this program means you join a pool of young African professionals who are eager and skilled to contribute to policy formulation and review processes at country, regional and international levels. They are looking forward to learning about you, your passion for international environmental governance and your leadership footprints.

The Learning Journey

• The nine-month highly experiential and blended learning experience consists of modules that are delivered through diverse formats, including:
  • Knowledge development workshops,
  • Intentional networking activities, and
  • Learning-by-doing activities that include a simulation and attending international policymaking processes
• Sessions will take place once a month with leadership dialogue sessions in between and will be led by a faculty of experts and practitioners.
• Throughout The Program
  • Building a critical mass together
    • You will become part of a growing community of skilled African leaders who are dedicated to impact in conservation and sustainable development. You will be connected to the larger Charles R. Wall Community of Fellows consisting of peers from the policy program and the leadership and management program. Such a powerful network will position you to not only extend your learning but also build your own connections, which will help you accelerate transformation in the area you work in and are passionate about.
  • Leadership Dialogues
    • During the program, you will learn from and exchange insights with experts, leading practitioners, and decision-makers from the environmental, private, and government sectors.

Cost Covered 

• This is a fully funded fellowship that caters for the following:
  • Air travel to and from home country and ground transport for the in- person workshop in Nairobi and for one policy making conference you are selected to attend.
  • Accommodation during in- person workshops and attending international policy-making processes.
  • Stipend to cover data bundles for the virtual sessions.
  • Personalised coaching support during the program to deliver the policy brief.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Charles R. Wall Young African Policy Fellows seeks applicants with the following profiles:
  • Interest: Applicants must demonstrate a clear interest in biodiversity and related matters.
  • Nationality: Nationals of any of the African countries living and working in Africa.
  • Age: 20-35 years.
  • Academic: At least 1st university degree in environmental sciences, social sciences, agricultural sciences, indigenous knowledge systems, resource mobilization, international relations, gender studies, bio-technology, or any other sector that is relevant in international environmental governance. In lieu of a degree, experience may suffice.
  • Experience: Two years’ experience in conservation and/or management of biodiversity through practice by way of employment, activism, and volunteering.  Commitment: Applicants must commit themselves to a) Attend the full course, b) Be available for travel to policy conferences, and c) Provide support to negotiators where relevant.
  • Language: The training is open to candidates from francophone countries in the continent but should have basic English writing and speaking skills. Some training materials and sessions may be translated to French
• Only 15 fellows will be selected.

Ineligibility Criteria

• This program is NOT for you if you are:
  • Looking to learn how to write government policy documents from scratch. The program focuses on knowledge and skills development on policy negotiations for Multilateral Environmental Agreements and how to advocate for policy issues through written and spoken communication.
  • Not willing to commit the time and energy needed to engage with the content, assignments, and deliverables. The world of policy negotiations is an intense one that requires a lot of reading, analysis, writing, and engaging stakeholders. The program is intense by design to introduce fellows to this world.

For more information, visit African Wildlife Foundation (AWF).