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WFN’s third in-country alumni training week reaches Winners in Asia

12 conservation leaders came together in Kyrgyzstan, for a unique exchange of knowledge, skills, and experiences.

From 16th-20th September, our inaugural Asia Regional Winner Training Week took place in Kyrgyzstan. Part of WFN’s Winner Development programme, the week was hosted by 2022 Gold Award winner, Charu Mishra and the Snow Leopard Trust.

Whitley Award alumni from across the region led and participated in hands-on workshops with a focus on ethical, community-based conservation, as well as dedicated sessions on conservation project planning and wellbeing for those in leadership roles.

One of the primary goals of our Winner Network Development programme is to foster South-South collaboration. Together, members of the WFN Winner Network shared their professional experiences and took part in peer-to-peer training to expand on innovative solutions for biodiversity protection, strengthening skills, exchanging knowledge, and building networks in the process.

Throughout the week, workshops provided valuable tools and frameworks to enhance the effectiveness of Winners’ projects back home, including an introduction to the Ethical Conservation Movement and sessions on Conservation Standards led by consultant, Felix Cybulla.

The week concluded with a field trip to Shamsi Gorge, offering a practical look at the region’s unique ecosystems. Attendees explored Shamsi’s diverse ecosystems and gained insights into the local conservation challenges and opportunities. This on-the-ground experience provided an opportunity to witness the translation of theory into action.

Supported by Hempel Foundation, this Regional Winner Training week was instrumental in bringing together dedicated conservation leaders and amplifying their impact. Together, we’ve strengthened our collective mission of protecting biodiversity and empowering local communities to lead the way in conservation.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Charu Mishra, our hosts at the Snow Leopard Trust, and all of the session leaders and attendees who made this week so impactful, with a special thank you to Hempel Foundation for their continued support of our Winner Network Development programme.