Approved by the GEF Council in December 2022 initially as the “Gustavo Fonseca Youth Conservation Leadership Program,” the new innovative program supports the professional development of promising young conservationists from developing countries.
The program, in honor of tropical scientist Gustavo Fonseca, the GEF’s long-serving Director of Programs who passed away in August 2022, will include conservation fellowships, grants for biodiversity field work, awards for participation in international conservation events, and a recurrent global conservation symposium bringing together young environmental leaders.