🌿 Say hello to the third of our Frankfurt Spring School winners: Manfredo Turcios!

Each year, 6 KfW Stiftung Fellows take part in the FSS. Together with the other participants, trainers and experts, they develop a conservation project idea during the course. A jury representing five FSS partner organisations selected the three KfW Stiftung Fellows who will receive funding to bring their projects to life. This year’s grants go to Tanzania, Honduras and Fiji!

Manfredo, from Honduras, works with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Honduras in the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, one of Central America’s largest remaining tropical forest landscapes, rich in biodiversity and home to Indigenous communities.

His project focuses on protecting a truly remarkable species: the giant anteater. With its distinctive long snout and specialized diet of ants and termites, it plays an important role in maintaining the balance of forest ecosystems.

In Honduras, the species occurs at the northern edge of its global range and is increasingly threatened by habitat loss, hunting, and other human pressures. At the same time, there is still limited data on its distribution and the challenges it faces, making effective conservation difficult.

Manfredo’s project addresses this by working closely with Indigenous communities and local partners to better understand where giant anteaters occur and how they can be protected. By combining scientific monitoring methods with traditional knowledge, he aims to strengthen community-led conservation and support long-term protection efforts.

Looking ahead, Manfredo hopes to see the gradual return of giant anteaters to parts of their former landscape. For indigenous communities such as the Miskito, the species has deep spiritual significance and is known as the ‘spirit of the forest’, representing well-preserved forests.

Manfredo’s passion for conservation and his connection to the landscapes he works in are at the heart of his project, and we look forward to following his journey.

A big congratulations to Manfredo on this fantastic achievement! 👏

 

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🌊 Say hello to our second Frankfurt Spring School winners: Neelam Bhan!

Each year, 6 KfW Stiftung Fellows take part in the FSS. Together with the other participants, trainers and experts, they develop a conservation project idea during the course. A jury representing five FSS partner organisations selected the three KfW Stiftung Fellows who will receive funding to bring their projects to life. This year’s grants go to Tanzania, Honduras and Fiji!

Neelam, from Fiji, works with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in the Vatu-i-Ra Seascape – a globally important marine biodiversity hotspot in the Pacific Ocean. For many people in Fiji, the ocean is central to daily life – providing food, income, and cultural identity. However, increasing fishing pressure in coastal areas is putting strain on coral reefs and the species that depend on them.

Neelam’s project addresses this challenge by introducing community-led Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) – floating, anchored structures that attract fish from the open ocean, such as tuna and mahi-mahi, which are not prone to overfishing. By making these species easier to catch, fishers can spend less time fishing on coral reefs, helping these fragile ecosystems recover.

At the same time, the project strengthens community governance and supports the development of value-added fish products, with a strong focus on empowering women and creating more sustainable income opportunities.

By linking conservation with livelihoods, her work contributes to healthier reefs and more resilient communities.

Neelam’s deep connection to the ocean is evident in her work – she finds a sense of peace and inspiration in the sea and is especially passionate about working closely with communities to create lasting solutions.

We’re excited to follow how her project develops over the coming years. A big congratulations to Neelam on this well-deserved recognition! 👏

 

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🌿 Say hello to one of our Frankfurt Spring School winners: Fredrick Paul Mhalafu!

Each year, 6 KfW Stiftung Fellows take part in the FSS. Together with the other participants, trainers and experts, they develop a conservation project idea during the course. A jury representing five FSS partner organisations selected the three KfW Stiftung Fellows who will receive funding to bring their projects to life. This year’s grants go to Tanzania, Honduras and Fiji!

Fredrick, from TANAPA (Tanzania National Parks), works with chimpanzees in Mahale Mountains National Park. His project addresses a key challenge: the main habituated chimpanzee group has reached its tourism capacity. As the animals become more accustomed to humans, they come closer to visitors – increasing the risk of disease transmission, as chimpanzees are highly vulnerable to human illnesses.

To tackle this, Fredrick aims to strengthen biosecurity measures and habituate a second chimpanzee group. This will reduce the time each group spends with visitors, limit close interactions, and prevent the animals from becoming too used to humans, while carefully increasing visitor numbers. By doing so, his project not only safeguards chimpanzees but also supports local communities whose livelihoods depend on tourism – linking conservation outcomes directly with economic benefits.

Fredrick’s enthusiasm for these remarkable animals is truly unmatched – and if you meet him, you’ll likely hear countless fascinating facts about chimpanzees and their striking similarities to humans.

We’re excited to follow the development of this project in the coming years.

Congratulations, Fredrick: a truly well-deserved achievement! 👏

 

 

 

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Spring School

That’s a wrap!

Another Frankfurt Spring School has successfully been completed – but what remains is far more than a few weeks of learning.

From the very beginning, the participants brought an incredible energy and motivation. Over the past weeks, they asked critical questions, explored new perspectives, and developed ideas together. What started as a group of individuals quickly became something more: a supportive, international learning community.

Across long days of discussions and shared work, connections grew. People showed up for each other, exchanged knowledge, challenged ideas, and celebrated progress together. And in between it all, there were many laughs, some moments outdoors, and shared passions – from conservation to birding.

What stands out most is the commitment. A shared belief that conservation is not just a field of study, but a long-term responsibility. The friendships built here, across countries and backgrounds, will carry that commitment forward.

A heartfelt thank you to all participants, partners, experts, and supporters who made this experience a truly special one. We remain excited to follow the paths ahead and stay connected as this journey continues.

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Spring School

Reasons to apply for the 2026 Frankfurt Spring School

There are many good reasons to apply for the Frankfurt Spring School 2026. Here’s just a few:

✔️ Apply your skills to real-world conservation challenges
✔️ Get insights from global conservation work
✔️ Become part of a network of experts, partners, and peers

🎥 Hear from Charlie (FSS 2025, UK) on how the Frankfurt Spring School boosted his conservation journey and why he thinks you should apply too!

 

Applications for the 2026 Frankfurt Spring School close on November 18th!

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Spring School

Applications for the 2026 Frankfurt Spring School are open!

Applications are open for the ninth Frankfurt Spring School on Conservation Project Management! Join us in Frankfurt, from February 23rd to March 20th, 2026.

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Join a global community of early-career conservationists and learn how to lead projects that make a lasting impact. Over four intensive weeks, international experts will guide you through essential skills in conservation project planning, human resources, financial management, leadership, and handling today’s pressing conservation challenges.

But the Frankfurt Spring School program goes beyond interactive workshops. You’ll gain hands-on wilderness conservation experience during an excursion to Kellerwald-Edersee National Park. Plus, expand your professional network at our interactive “Speed-Dating” event with industry veterans and fellow participants.

Since its beginning, the Frankfurt Spring School has brought together a vibrant community of more than 230 young conservationists from across the globe. By joining us in 2026, you’ll not only gain essential skills but also become part of a lasting network of peers and mentors. Are you ready to be part of the next generation making a difference?

👉 Click here to learn how to apply!
The application deadline is November 18th 2025.

Download the announcement for Frankfurt Spring School 2026 here.

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And the grant goes to … (3/3)

A jury representing five FSS partner organisations selected the three KfW Stiftung Fellows who will receive funding to bring their projects to life. This year’s grants go to Zambia, Guyana and Madagascar!

 

👏 One of the 2025 grant winners is Jacob Mphasi 🇿🇲 from Zambia. His project focuses on enhancing fence management in North Luangwa National Park to protect the critically endangered black rhino by:

✅ Improving the monitoring of existing fences to detect and repair damage efficiently

✅ Piloting innovative fencing solutions that allow natural wildlife movement

✅ Strengthening overall protection for black rhino populations

This project demonstrates how smart, adaptive infrastructure can support both species recovery and broader ecosystem integrity — helping conservation efforts thrive in complex landscapes.

🎥 Watch Jacob present his project and learn how innovation and commitment are helping protect one of Africa’s most iconic species.

 

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And the grant goes to … (2/3)

A jury representing five FSS partner organisations selected the three KfW Stiftung Fellows who will receive funding to bring their projects to life. This year’s grants go to Zambia, Guyana and Madagascar!

 

One of the 2025 grant winners is Christelle Razafindrakoto 🇲🇬 from Madagascar. Her project supports the conservation of sharks and rays in Antongil Bay by:

✅ Conducting scientific monitoring of local shark and ray populations

✅ Collaborating with local communities to raise awareness of conservation and sustainable fishing

✅ Contributing to the development of an updated fisheries management plan.

Her project combines research and community engagement to protect marine biodiversity while promoting long-term, sustainable practices — a powerful example of conservation in action.

🎥 Watch Christelle present her project and share her passion for protecting Madagascar’s unique marine life

 

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And the grant goes to … (1/3)

A jury representing five FSS partner organisations selected the three KfW Stiftung Fellows who will receive funding to bring their projects to life. This year’s grants go to Zambia, Guyana and Madagascar!

 

👏 One of the grant winners in 2025 is Alex Stewart 🇬🇾 from FZS Guyana. His project aims to protect the giant river otter in the Kanuku Mountains Protected Area by:

✅ Establishing aquaculture farms in three local communities

✅ Monitoring fishing activity and otter populations

✅ Developing science-based recommendations for sustainable fishing.

His approach strengthens both biodiversity conservation and local livelihoods — a key example of how managing human-wildlife interactions leads to long-term impact.

🎥 Watch Alex present his project and hear what drives his conservation work. More Fellows and project videos coming soon!

 

 

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Spring School

The 8th Frankfurt Spring School successfully completed!

That’s a wrap! After four intense and insightful weeks another wonderful FSS came to an end with the handover of certificates and an amazing closing event on Friday evening.

Most of the students have already returned to their (19 in total) home countries and regions, taking with them new skills, a network of conservationists from around the world, great memories and friends for life. Throughout the course, they gained insight into different areas of conservation project management, ranging from project planning and management, to sessions on finance, communications and HR, to workshops on leadership or personal impressions. The next step is to use all these valuable resources for the benefit of nature and people in their future endeavours.

The 6 KfW Stiftung Fellows we introduced in our last post will be staying a little longer in Frankfurt to finalise their project proposals before the announcement of the winning projects in early April. Good luck in the final days!

Finally, the FSS team would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the FSS 2025. A big thank you especially to our partners, donors, all the trainers and the 32 participants who made the last four weeks an amazing time.

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