“Run by Youth, For Youth, Promoting Youth”

Youth for Wildlife Conservation Forum

at CITES CoP18
Colombo, Sri Lanka (20-28 May 2019)
PARTICIPANT APPLICATION
This application is also available to complete online at
https://goo.gl/forms/GSxZCCSIZLKUR6b92

• Are you a passionate young conservationist looking to ensure a future for our planet’s wildlife?
• Are you dedicated to finding sustainable solutions for people to live and prosper alongside
nature?
• Would you like to meet like-minded young conservation leaders from around the world, while
seeing how real-world international policies are made?

If the answer is yes, join Y4WC in the first youth-led skills development and networking forum that will take place
prior to and during the 18th gathering of the world’s biggest conservation policy making forum, the Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (or CITES CoP18 in short) in Colombo, Sri
Lanka (20th-28th May, 2019). Our goal for organizing the Youth for Wildlife Conservation Forum is to advance
our mission by fully engaging and empowering early-career wildlife conservationists in the CITES processes,
consequently contributing to the long-term conservation of wildlife worldwide.

We aim to bridge the gap between existing and future policymakers as well as grassroots conservationists,
catalysing a new generation of wildlife conservation leaders committed to effective policy and management of
wildlife that translates to practical, grassroot conservation efforts on the ground.
We will gather a group of 15 young conservationists from diverse backgrounds, aged between 18 and 30. You
can be a researcher, a grassroot campaigner, an artist, a game ranger, a filmmaker or run a community education
project… the options are endless, just tell us what makes you committed to wildlife protection and conservation!
We want to catalyze a new generation of wildlife conservation leaders committed to effective policy and
management of wildlife that translates to practical, grassroot conservation efforts on the ground.

Join us to debate issues, explore solutions and build the skills the world needs for the well-being of people and
wildlife.

Activities during the nine-day forum include a team field excursion, skills and capacity building workshops,
debates and discussions with experts in the field and endless social events for networking. Successful applicants
will need to demonstrate commitment to wildlife, environmental, conservation and/or sustainable community
development issues to earn their place at the Forum. You will need to be willing to devote time prior to and
following the Forum to engage with a wider online community, demonstrate how you will use what you learn,
and contribute to the diversity of the group experience. Travel and participation costs are covered.

See more about the forum on our website at:

www.youthforwildlife.org/the-youth-for-wildlife-conservation-forum-concept
 Application must be completed and submitted with letter of recommendation and photo by

11:59 PM/ 23:59 GMT, Wednesday, 31st of October 2018

PLEASE NOTE: A valid passport will be required for selected participants prior to booking travel

Instructions
1. Complete application. You may attach a separate page but you must adhere to the maximum word limits
for each question. You can also apply online at https://goo.gl/forms/GSxZCCSIZLKUR6b92
2. Secure a letter of recommendation from a professional or community reference who is associated and/or
familiar with your studies and/or work.
3. Include a photo of yourself.
4. Send it in!

Please email applications and required attachments to contact@youthforwildlife.org

OR
Submit your application and attachments online at https://goo.gl/forms/GSxZCCSIZLKUR6b92
OR
Mail a hard copy and required attachments to
Y4WC Forum Application
65 Warren Avenue
Bromley
Kent
BR1 4BP
United Kingdom

Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to apply you must:
● Be between 18 and 30 years old on the 19th of May 2019
● Be able to commit to travel to Sri Lanka from the 19th-29th of May 2019
● Be able to understand and speak English (fluency is not required; however the forum will be conducted in
English and participants are expected to be comfortable in the language)
● Be a member of Y4WC: it’s free to become a member and only takes a minute
www.youthforwildlife.org/join-the-network/
By signing up, you agree that Y4WC can send you information about the youth movement in wildlife conservation, Y4WC campaigns
and the occasional newsletter with added opportunities to get involved.

Candidates from under-represented and minority groups in conservation are strongly encouraged to apply.
About You
1. First name: __________________________________________

2. Family name: __________________________________________

3. Email: __________________________________________

4. Home address: __________________________________________

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

5. Phone number: +______(country code)_______________________

6. Skype ID: Optional __________________________________________

7. Date of birth: __________________________________________

8. Country of origin: __________________________________________

9. Country of residence: __________________________________________

10. Nationality: If multiple please list all __________________________________________

11. Gender ☐Male ☐Female ☐Prefer not to say

12. Highest level of education

achieved: __________________________________________

13. Current occupation __________________________________________

14. Are you affiliated with a company, educational institution or other organization?

☐Yes ☐No
Name of organization/ institution: __________________________________________

Website: __________________________________________

15. Number of years of professional and/or volunteer experience: ________________

16. How did you learn about the Y4WC Forum? __________________________________
 17. Which of the following best describes your current professional or academic relationship to
wildlife conservation? Please choose 1 option that best describes your situation

☐ I am currently employed in the wildlife conservation sector

☐ I am currently trying to get employed in the wildlife conservation profession (out of
school)
☐ I am currently volunteering/interning in a wildlife conservation project or organization
☐ I am currently in school studying wildlife conservation or related subjects
☐ I am not currently employed in or attending school for wildlife conservation
☐ Other Please describe: __________________________________________

Tell Us More (Please attach essay questions on separate paper)

18. Please describe your commitment to wildlife conservation using examples from your volunteer or
professional efforts (500 word max)

19. Please describe how you will use what you learn at the Youth For Wildlife Conservation Forum to
make an impact for wildlife and/or people (300 word max)

20. Please describe how you plan on contributing to the mission of Y4WC in the short-term and/or
long-term (150 word max)

21. We are seeking participants from diverse backgrounds with a wide variety of cultural, educational
and professional experience. Tell us something unique about yourself that would add to the
diversity of voices participating in the Youth Forum (150 word max)

Eligibility Criteria
22. Will you be between 18 and 30 years old on May 19, 2019?
☐Yes ☐No

23. Are you able to attend a nine day/eight night Forum from May 20-28, 2019 in Colombo, Sri
Lanka? All travel costs for participants will be covered by the Forum.
Depending on your departure country, this may require you to travel more than 1 day before
☐Yes ☐No ☐Unsure

24. Are you available and willing to participate fully and pro-actively before, throughout and after the
Forum? This includes a commitment of approximately 3 hours/week during March and April 2019
☐Yes ☐No ☐Unsure

25. Are you able to able to understand, read and speak English?
 ☐Yes ☐No

26. Are you willing to participate in media opportunities and promotion of the Youth Forum, such as
by providing photos, videos, bio, quotes, blog pieces for use by Y4WC and by our partners?
☐Yes ☐No ☐Unsure

27. Are you willing to fundraise or apply for financial support for the Forum?
This will not impact the outcomes of the review and selection process
☐Yes ☐No ☐Unsure

28. Are you a member of Y4WC? Please ensure you have joined up on our website,
www.youthforwildlife.org/join-the-network/ : it’s free and only takes a minute.
Please note that this is a requirement
☐Yes ☐No

29. Do you acknowledge the following?

Personal information is collected for the purpose of selecting participants for the Youth for Wildlife
Conservation Forum and for coordinating the participation of selected candidates. Personal
information may be used for analysis, research, and evaluation internally within Y4WC, and may be
shared with third parties to manage participant selection. Personal information handled for selection in
the Youth Forum is NOT retained after participant selection.
Refusal to provide the requested personal information for participant selection will disqualify you from
the selection process, and only completed applications will be reviewed. It is the applicant’s
responsibility to ensure his/her/their application is complete.
For more information see our privacy policy: https://www.youthforwildlife.org/privacy-policy

☐Yes ☐No

Supporting Documents
You’re nearly there - here are the last steps!

30. A recent photograph: Whether a headshot or a photo of you in the field, attach a picture of you
and show us your best smile!

31. A letter of recommendation: Please attach at least one Letter of Reference.

This can be from a professor, supervisor, mentor, community leader, and anyone else who is associated with and/or familiar with your
academic and/or professional work.

Reference Name: __________________________________________

Affiliation: __________________________________________

Email: __________________________________________
Quick Reminder
This application is to select individuals to attend the in-person Y4WC Forum in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
We wish we could take everyone, but due to funding we are only able to take a limited number of delegates with us.
However, you will have the opportunity to benefit from this initiative no matter what, as alongside the in-person
forum we are coordinating an online forum experience for everyone in the wider Y4WC network to participate in.
It will give you the opportunity to develop your skills, benefit from capacity building resources, virtually network with
other like-minded youth, and together share your perspectives and experiences in meaningful discussions around
CITES, wildlife trade matters and conservation initiatives.

Whether you are a participant to the Forum in Sri Lanka or connected from the comfort of your home, YOU can
contribute to youth empowerment and wildlife conservation.

Application must be completed and submitted with letter of recommendation and photo by

11:59 PM/ 23:59 GMT, Wednesday, 31st of October 2018

PLEASE NOTE: A valid passport will be required for selected participants prior to booking travel

Please email applications and required attachments to contact@youthforwildlife.org

OR
Submit your application and attachments online at https://goo.gl/forms/GSxZCCSIZLKUR6b92
OR
Mail a hard copy and required attachments to:

Y4WC Forum Application

65 Warren Avenue
Bromley
Kent
BR1 4BP
United Kingdom

Thank you, we look forward to receiving your application!

If you have questions about this application or any problems with submission, please contact us at
contact@youthforwildlife.org

Successful applicants will be notified by January 2019 and will be required to submit biographical information,
photos and videos by February 2019.