In 2024, CSF partnered with Zamia Media and the Conservation Finance Alliance to form a consortium to lead a robust, and engaging Working Groups Program for RedLAC and CAFÉ Conservation Trust Funds (CTFs) under the BRIDGE project (managed by Costa Rica Forever). Through their specific focus and extensive reach, each of these organizations play a crucial role in addressing global environmental challenges. They utilize economic theory, education, strategic financial planning, and community engagement to drive sustainable development and biodiversity conservation effectively.
To build capacity within the CTFs, the Consortium led seven thematic working groups to focus on challenges and opportunities for effectively managing and growing conservation trust funds. Later additions of a CTF Executive Director’s learning circle and a marine-focused working group were added to this project's scope in 2025.
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| Marine Working Group | ||
| Executive Director's Working Group |
With our established track record of effective course facilitation and a robust virtual learning platform, CSF was uniquely positioned to cultivate a dynamic learning community for this program. This active “community of practice” supported the CTFs’ capacities in conservation finance, fostering robust and sustainable partnerships with the private sector and other key actors that propel conservation finance initiatives forward. Through this strategic engagement, we aimed to ensure impactful outcomes that extend well beyond the conclusion of our consultancy.
In 2025, we hosted the final six monthly meetings for each working group and produced a final report with recommendations for the program's future stages. On average, in their post-course assessments, participants rated the overall quality and value of the program at 4.3 out of 5, and their knowledge of their assigned working group’s topic increased by nearly 1 point compared to pre-course assessments.
To learn more about this Working Groups Program, please visit our course website here.