In memory of tropical scientist Gustavo Fonseca and his contributions to biodiversity conservation, the Global Environment Facility has established the Fonseca Leadership Program. Named in honor of the GEF’s long-serving Director of Programs who passed away in 2022, the program builds on partnerships with several existing institutional programs dedicated to producing and supporting the next generation of conservationists. The goal of the program is to address the specific needs and requirements for conservation professionals from developing countries and countries with economies in transition, which are the recipients of GEF funding.
The Fonseca Leadership Program spotlights two aspects of becoming a conservation professional: formal graduate academic training, and conservation field work. All the established partnerships focus on a specific geographic region and either on graduate training or field grants.
This program will focus on youth and their role in the future of environmental governance and stewardship. Young people from developing countries play a critical role in effecting future change and the GEF is strongly committed to supporting their research, studies, professional development, and leadership.
-Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, GEF CEO and Chairperson
Read more about Gustavo Fonseca and the activities of the Fonseca Ledership Program on the GEF website
