Madagascar Environmental Leadership Program

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Equiping Malagasy conservation leaders with the tools to lead effectively and create sustainable impact →

The Madagascar Environmental Leadership Program (MELP) is designed to equip Malagasy conservation leaders with the tools, knowledge, and expertise to lead effectively and create sustainable impact. Recognizing Madagascar’s critical role in protecting some of the world’s rarest biodiversity, Maliasili launched MELP in 2020 with Re:Wild to address leadership and organizational development gaps with local conservation organizations.

MELP is designed for grassroots and mid-level conservation professionals to improve leadership capacity in diverse spaces. Since its inception, MELP has trained leaders from Madagascar working in biodiversity protection, agroforestry, marine conservation, and land management, helping them build leadership resilience, enhance collaboration, and strengthen conservation networks across the island.

The program is supporting a new generation of conservation leaders while laying the foundation for a Malagasy peer-learning network that can grow and evolve over time.
"Maliasili’s leadership program has been as impactful in my life as my Ph.D."
— Pr. Jonah Ratsimbazafy,
GERP
"Moving away from the heroic leader into the interdependent leader was a key insight that reshaped my leadership approach."
— Program participant
"There has been a ‘before and after’ leadership program in my life. The program transformed how I see my role as a leader."
— Program participant

Strong Leaders. Effective Organisations. Transformative Impact.

237

African conservation leaders

79

Organisations

17

African
countries

Why Madagascar? →

Madagascar is one of the biologically unique places on Earth, with 90% its species found nowhere else. However, the country faces severe challenges, including deforestation and habitat loss, climate change exacerbating threats to biodiversity and livelihood, and chronic poverty that limits conservation efforts and long-term sustainability. 

Despite decades of conservation initiatives, leadership gaps within civil society organizations (CSOs) hinder the long-term effectiveness of conservation efforts. Malagasy consrvation leaders often work under immense pressure with limited access to training, mentorship and organizational support. MELP empowers local leaders with the skills and networks to scale their impact, and build, strong, resilient conservation organizations.

Objectives and Impact →

By enhancing leadership at all levels, MELP ensures conservation organizations are equipped to address Madagascar’s environmental challenges and community livelihoods. 

Key Objectives:

  • Develop self-aware and adaptable leaders who can navigate conservation challenges with confidence 
  • Strengthen organizational leadership by improving team management, fundraising, and communications strategies 
  • Foster collaboration and peer-learning networks to promote knowledge exchange and collective problem-solving 
  • Support conservation impact at scale by equipping leaders to engage effectively with policymakers, funders, and communities

Our leadership programs →

Our leadership programs equip conservation leaders with the skills, knowledge and networks to strengthen their organizations and scale their impact. Each program is tailored to address specific regional, sectoral, and leadership needs, supporting conservation leaders at different career stages. Through a blend of peer learning, coaching, and immersive training, participants develop essential leadership capabilities while building lifelong connections with fellow leaders.

African Conservation Leadership Network (ACLN)

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African Marine Conservation Leadership Program (AMCLP)

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Lead Up

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Madagascar Environmental Leadership Program (MELP)

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Leaders Lab KAZA

Coming Soon
Maliasili exists to help talented local conservation organizations overcome their challenges and constraints so that they can become more effective agents of change in their landscapes, communities, and nations.

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Maliasili is designated as a public charity (501c3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service.