Fish and Wildlife Service

Description

The Wildlife Without Borders-Mexico Program supports training projects, including short-term (2-3 week) on-the-job courses certified by an educational institution (Diplomados), workshops, personnel exchanges, training provided through on-the-ground practices, among other delivery mechanisms, with the following objectives: (1) develop specific conservation/management skills of resources managers by addressing critical gaps in formal and informal training in Mexico while increasing the number of personnel trained; (2) promote training that links sound management practices in nature reserves to the creation of economic opportunities for buffer zone communities; and (3) raise the level of awareness and capacity of key stakeholder groups to deliver conservation. Projects should fall under the following categories: Managing for Excellence: Training in natural resource conservation and management for Mexican Government personnel, including policy-makers, federal, state, and municipal-level resource managers, and reserve guards. Stewards of the Land: Training in natural resource conservation and management for resource owners and/or direct users, including local communities, rural peasant farmer organizations, and indigenous peoples. Voices for Nature: Training in environmental education and/or public outreach for targeted society stakeholder groups, including teachers, school children, journalists, tourists, non-governmental organizations and private sector organizations or businesses. Ideal projects will include specific and measurable products and management actions; demonstrative value (implementation of a novel approach that includes an assessment of the merits and widespread use of the approach); activities that can be replicated elsewhere; and/or activities involving a coalition of stakeholders. Applicant organizations should be proposing work to be conducted in Mexico. If work is to be conducted in the United States, the proposal must show a clear connection to capacity building for biodiversity conservation in Mexico to be eligible for funding.

Who can apply

• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education)
• Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education)
• Private institutions of higher education
• Individuals
• For-profit organizations other than small businesses
• Small businesses
• Others

Contact

Melida Tajbakhsh
WWB_Mexico@fws.gov