Coexistence Champions Program

Location: Project-based, anywhere in India
Experience: 5-10 years
Pay: Up to ₹30 lakh annually

Coexistence Consortium

The Coexistence Consortium is a dynamic collective of ecologists, anthropologists, geographers and conservationists dedicated to reshaping how we relate to the natural world. Rejecting old notions of “protecting nature by exclusion”, the Coexistence Consortium believes in reimagining conservation as something lived, shared, and rooted in daily reality—not in distant, untouched wilderness, but in the very spaces where people and wildlife intersect.

Born out of a deep need for new perspectives, Coexistence Consortium was initially catalysed by global exhibitions that celebrated the nuances of human-animal connections. Today, it’s become a thriving nexus—supporting a diversity of context-driven projects across India and beyond. The Consortium doesn’t approach conservation as a top-down intervention. Instead, it acts as a facilitator: convening experts and grassroots leaders, supporting indigenous knowledge, driving local empowerment, and nurturing deep, non-extractive relationships between people and place.

At the heart of Coexistence Consortium’s work is the conviction that successful coexistence isn’t just possible—it’s already happening, quietly and resiliently, in forest villages, agricultural frontiers, riversides, and bustling towns. The Consortium’s standout initiative, Coexistence Champions, searches out and supports those who embody this ethos: mid-career conservationists with hands-on experience working with communities on the ground. These Champions become catalysts, amplifying local stories of empathy, negotiation, and innovation—stories that challenge the narrative of perennial conflict and point instead to hope and possibility.

Coexistence Consortium’s mission goes beyond minimising human-wildlife friction. It’s about justice, inclusion, and re-balancing power: shifting the focus to equitable sharing of costs and benefits, recognition of indigenous and local wisdom, and attentive, ethical engagement.

The Consortium’s work is animated by partnerships—with local communities, academic circles, NGOs, and policy bodies. Whether collaborating on research, piloting coexistence models, or shaping public discourse, Existence Consortium strives to mainstream the value of living well with nature.

Role

Are you a mid-career conservationist passionate about true partnership with local communities? The Coexistence Champions program is looking for you. The program supports mid-career conservationists across India who are already working on-ground with communities to live well alongside wildlife. It provides consultancy funding, mentorship, and capacity-building to amplify their locally rooted coexistence initiatives, aiming to shift the conservation narrative from conflict to collaboration based on equity, justice, and respect for indigenous knowledge. Become a catalyst for change, collaborating with communities to co-create innovative and ethical conservation solutions that honour local realities.

Responsibilities

• Co-design and lead community-driven conservation initiatives.
• Integrate indigenous knowledge and scientific tools for transformative results.
• Build and sustain trust with local governance bodies and stakeholders.
• Share inspiring stories of coexistence to reframe mainstream perceptions.
• Mentor peers, fostering knowledge exchange and network growth.

Requirements

• 5–10 years of hands-on, community-rooted conservation experience.
• In-depth knowledge of Indian context and respect for diverse worldviews.
• Proven empathy, autonomy, and leadership skills.
• Strong commitment to ethics, justice, and non-extractive engagement.

Benefits

• Consultancy funding up to ₹30 lakhs per year.
• Two-year initial term, extendable to five years.
• 10-day induction and networking retreat.
• Regular mentorship and capacity-building.

Apply

Apply on or before August 15, 2025!
Do read the Applications Guide before applying.