27 October 2010
The first WFN/WWF-UK Challenge Grants, a new collaborative funding by WWF and the Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN), have been awarded to former Whitley Award winners Karen Aghababyan in Armenia and Sergei Bereznuk in Russia. Each receives £13,500 in project funding.
The Challenge Grant aims to encourage complementary working between WWF local offices and WFN grassroots conservation leaders, providing the opportunity to proactively share ideas and solutions.
Karen Aghababyan, of the Acopian Center for the Environment, is being supported in his work to conserve the ecologically important wetlands of Southern Armenia and will be working closely with the Country’s WWF local office to establish community-based monitoring of biodiversity and ecosystems of the Lake Arpi National Park.
This funding will also enable Karen to strengthen the platform for development of locally-led ecotourism opportunities in an area famed for its wildlife.
Sergei, meanwhile, has received funding to help his NGO Phoenix Fund team up with the Amur branch of WWF-Russia to address the threat of forest fires in the critically important tiger and leopard habitats of South Western Primorye.
Challenge Grant funding will enable the replacement of inadequate equipment and significantly improve the organisational response to forest fires across the region. This will mean stronger protection for highly endangered Amur big cats.
The Whitley Fund for Nature is a UK registered charity offering Whitley Awards and ongoing support to outstanding nature conservation leaders around the world.
Application for the next round of WFN/WWF-UK Challenge Grants will be open to Whitley Award winners in the New Year, with a deadline for applications of 31 March 2011.
