SADC Wildlife-Based Economy Champions Training
Johannesburg
South Africa
The fully funded SADC Wildlife-Based Economy Champions Training programme is designed to strengthen national capacity, cross-sectoral collaboration, and leadership in advancing wildlife -based economic development, value chains, and sustainable livelihoods within SADC Member States.
The Southern African Wildlife College, in collaboration with African Leadership University - School of Wildlife Conservation (ALU-SOWC) and Stellenbosch University – African Wildlife Economy Institute (AWEI), has a fully-funded opportunity for one (1) individual from each SADC member state involved in implementing Wildlife-Based Economy and livelihoods-related projects/programmes within the Southern African Development Community (SADC)’s at the national level to participate in a 5-day SADC Wildlife-Based Economy Champions Training programme aimed at fostering knowledge sharing, collaboration, and best practices in wildlife-based economies and livelihoods.
The German Government and the European Union, through the Joint Action NaturAfrica/Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Management (C-NRM) project, implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), support this initiative. The programme seeks to unlock the potential of wildlife economies
for improved livelihoods and regional prosperity.
The SADC Wildlife-Based Economy Champions Training aims to:
- Build a cadre of national champions who can drive the implementation of wildlife -based economy strategies in collaboration with governments
- Strengthen coordination between the environment, wildlife, trade, tourism, and economic development sectors
- Support Member States in translating wildlife resources into inclusive economic opportunities while promoting sustainability and conservation.
Important Dates and Info
Application closing date: 28 April 2026
Announcement of selected candidates: 7 May 2026
Programme dates: 27 July–31 July 2026
Venue: Johannesburg, South Africa
Language: English (with translation into official SADC languages)
