#savetheplanet

CoalitionWILD EXCELerator is an intensive 6 month leadership and capacity building training that equips emerging environmental leaders with the skills necessary to carry out action projects for the planet.

165

EXCELerator Alumni implementing solutions globally

50+

Over 50 countries

36,733+

Human beneficiaries of all projects being implemented by EXLs

EXCELerator LIVE

Access 15 live workshops + 14 recorded sessions

Develop several tasks to translate learnings into action, with the provision of feedback

Engage with experts and a peer-learning group

Participate in live standalone webinars

Download resources and toolkits

EXCELerator FLEX

Access 14 recorded sessions

Develop tasks at your own pace

Engage with fellow participants in a well-designed discussion forum

Participate in live standalone webinars

Download resources and toolkits

How It Works

The CoalitionWILD EXCELerator is a rigorous 6 month leadership development program. Each participant is accepted based on their individually proposed idea of an environmental project they want to implement that will tackle an issue facing an ecosystem, their community, their culture, or their livelihood.

CoalitionWILD equips EXCELerator participants (EXLs) with the tools, support, and confidence needed to implement that idea. In doing that, we focus on the 3 Ps: Project Development, Personal Growth, and Professional Network.

Project Development helps EXLs to further structure their module in terms of devising a work plan, time schedule, budget plan, etc., which form the basis for a successful implementation. It also allows them to anticipate potential challenges to the project and to troubleshoot with their cohort – many of whom face similar hurdles.

Personal Growth focuses on the improvement of EXL knowledge and skills in communication, fundraising, management techniques, and methodologies by giving them access to our resources and offering webinars with expert guest speakers. We work to build EXL confidence, not just to present their project, but as a community leader. We also focus on developing self-care practices, create a space to become comfortable looking inward, and encourage EXLs to identify their internal ‘why.’

The Professional Network is all about giving EXLs a platform for exchanging ideas, finding opportunities for advancement, and supporting their peers. We partner each EXL with a young professional for mentoring throughout the program. EXLs may also gain first-time experience speaking and presenting at conferences or a feature in international publications. The amount of professional expansion an EXL experiences is often dependent on how engaged they are in the program.

Participants are supported in successfully starting and/or continuing their project, however a full implementation of their project is not a requirement.

We don’t just build young leaders for one project, in one community, one time. We aim to build leaders for the planet for a lifetime.

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Project Development

→ Draft a Work Plan and Timeline for project implementation

→ Devise a Budget and Fundraising Plan

→ Craft a Contingency Plan, anticipating potential risks and identifying solutions

→ Make an assessment of Next Steps to continue/and or grow your project

→ Develop an Elevator Pitch to convince others of the value of your project in a concise and brief manner



Personal Growth

→ Benefit from access to resources and methods, such as management and analytical techniques

→ Gain more experience in communicating your project via a blog/press release, in interviews, to a camera, in social media, and via photos/videos

→ Increase your fundraising skills and gain access to funding opportunities

→ Become more confident as a leader for your communities and for the planet

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Professional Network

→ Gain access to a global network, including opportunities to speak, present, attend global conferences, apply for fellowships or funding, or be highlighted in international publications

→ Get connected to an experienced mentor matched to your field of work, who will support you with advice throughout the program

→ Boost your credentials through the backing of a credible global organization

Possible Activities

Ultimately it depends on YOU in what way you would like to benefit from the EXCELerator program. We offer you the space to discover your own solutions, thereby ensuring that you are driven by:

Innovation in your ideas

Commitment to your work

Empathy in engaging with stakeholders

Creativity in the implementation

Passion in your delivery

ALUMNI PROJECTS SPOTLIGHT

Esteban Barriga

Ecuador, 2021 EXCELerator Cohort

Esteban Barriga, 25 years old, talks about his project on minimizing solid waste generation through education interventions with the Rio Mashpi Community in Ecuador. He was part of the 2021 EXCELerator.

Zara Guiffaro

Honduras, 2021 EXCELerator Cohort

Zara Guifaro was part of the 2021 EXCELerator. Upon seeing the destruction of the coral reefs in Roatán, she, along with her teammate decided to start a project to build capacities for coral restoration and empower the Roatán community.

Zachary Muteti

Kenya, 2021 EXCELerator Cohort

Zacharia Mutinda Muteti joined the EXCELerator in 2021. After the program, he started his project on human-wildlife coexistence, specifically on assessing the viability of alternative livelihood in Lake Jipe in Kenya.

Our 5 Year Impact

Since 2017, 108 CoalitionWILD EXCELerator participants (EXLs) have completed the program, implementing new action projects in 49 countries.

Each project is unique to the circumstances, area, and interest of the project leader. This make the outcome more impactful, more relevant, and more meaningful to all those involved.

Even after the EXCELerator is completed, EXLs often continue their projects and grow their reach. They influence their communities, get involved in decision making, reach personal and professional milestones, and become leaders for the planet.

16,343

People Directly Engaged in Programming

180

Environmental Workshops Hosted

23,500

Trees Planted

8,555

Bags of Trash Collected

82,360

Volunteers Engaged

681

Species Recorded, Observed, Or Samples Collected

When I first started out, I had a feeling that I was venturing into a world unknown. I had an idea but was not sure how to get it started.

Thanks to CoalitionWILD I’m now better informed, have a belonging, and with a myriad of resources I need to properly implement my project.

I can confidently say that with the aid of CoalitionWILD, my project is now on course, impacting the community one step at a time.

KEVIN LUNZALU
Kenya, 2018 EXELerator Cohort

My experience as an EXL for CoalitionWILD in Portugal was of courage and action. Nevertheless, after finishing the programme I was invited to be a reviewer for the UN Young Champions of the Earth prize and that was remarkable for me.

I received applications from participants in the 5 continents and I was surprised by their brightness…I got more critical about the way I write applications and deeply reflexive on my privilege. Many of that people have much better ideas than mine, though less opportunities, what makes things hard to take flight. I wanted to honour that! Thank you CW!

RAFAELA GRACA SCHEIFFER
Portugal, 2019 EXELerator Cohort

Starting a Non-Profit (organization) is not simple, and operating one can be isolating and tedious work.

Access to webinars, a committed mentor, and supplemental materials through CoalitionWILD gave me the skills needed for growing and maintaining my new organization, Save The Snakes.

MICHAEL STARKEY
United States, 2018 EXELerator Cohort