Across The Waters Leadership programme

Capacity building for conservation leaders

Conservation that goes beyond political boundaries needs strong leadership, vision, capacity to create alliances, the ability to work in partnerships, and negotiation skills. This needs strong organizations with strong leaders. WWF has therefore developed a training programme for conservation leaders in key organizations around the Mediterranean .

What is leadership
Leading an organization or team involves establishing direction and vision, aligning people, motivating personnel, and producing positive change. Leadership is based on knowledge, specific skills and a solution-oriented attitude. Leading means constant learning to be able to adapt to environmental challenges and changes.

What this involves
Training leaders means introducing a new driving force in their organizations and regions, multiplying conservation know-how and good management thus increasing the impact of conservation projects on the ground.

What the training offers
Training needs are first assessed in the light of the candidate’s work and that of his/her organization. Appropriate training tools are selected to bridge identified gaps. Each candidate is tutored by a staff member of WWF Mediterranean. The training lasts 12 to 18 months, and the candidate continues to be based in his/her organization.

Trainings include WWF and non-WWF seminars or workshops, group seminars with the participation of all the trainees, exchanges organized as internships or short visits to host organizations, interviews and meetings with people who are knowledgeable on issues relevant to the trainee, accompanying WWF staff on field trips to monitor specific projects, reading, on-line learning and participation in group discussions online.

Trainings are monitored on a regular basis.

By the end of the process trained leaders are expected not only to be recipients of capacity-building services but to be providers of these. Leaders are also expected to take an active part in the setting up and success of strong Mediterranean network of organizations, and in the development and implementation of conservation and capacity building strategies.