ARCTUROS seeks six young “ambassadors” for human–wildlife coexistence
Open call for participation in the “Young Ambassadors for Human-Wildlife Coexistence” programme, with the support of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)
ARCTUROS is launching the new “Young Ambassadors for Human-Wildlife Coexistence” programme and is inviting applications from six young people aged 18-30 who would like to gain first-hand experience in wildlife conservation and practical experience at the intersection of science, communication and society.
The programme is implemented with the support of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), through the “30 for 30: Next-Gen Grants” initiative, and combines field-based training, mentoring by ARCTUROS’ scientific and communications teams, and practical experience in communicating wildlife conservation.
The recovery of large carnivore populations, such as brown bears, wolves and jackals, represents a significant conservation success. At the same time, their increasing presence in areas where human activities and wildlife overlap creates new challenges. Effective management depends not only on scientific and technical solutions, but also on information, understanding and trust-building with local communities.
This is precisely where the programme is focused: on training a new generation of people who can understand the challenges of coexistence and communicate complex scientific knowledge to the wider public in a clear, responsible and accessible way.
One week in the field
A central part of the programme will be the 7-day training at ARCTUROS’ facilities and field sites in Northern Greece, from 22 to 28 November 2026.
Participants will gain practical experience in wildlife research and monitoring methods, attend sessions on large carnivore ecology and the prevention of negative human–wildlife interactions, take part in field visits and meetings with local stakeholders, and become familiar with practical tools such as species identification through camera-trap footage.
Training, however, will not stop in the field. The six Young Ambassadors will also take part in mentoring and training in science communication and wildlife conservation communication, with the aim of learning how scientific knowledge can be transformed into content that informs and engages the public. As part of this process, they will also develop short videos focusing on coexistence with wildlife.
Who can apply
The call is open to young people aged 18–30 with academic or professional experience in fields such as wildlife conservation, biology, zoology, communication or related areas.
A scientific background is not a requirement. Particular importance will be placed on an interest in nature conservation, communication and public engagement, as well as good familiarity with social media. Experience in creating social media content, particularly short-form video, will be considered an advantage.
The programme will be delivered in Greek and English. In addition to the in-person training week, participants will take part in online mentoring sessions and work on the programme deliverables.
Participation in the programme is free of charge. During the field-training week, accommodation, meals and transportation to and from ARCTUROS’ facilities will be covered.
Applications until 20 October
Interested applicants can apply until 20 October 2026 by completing the online application form and sending their CV to arcturos@arcturos.gr, with the subject line “Young Ambassadors for Human-Wildlife Coexistence”.
