Darwin Initiative Seminar Series, April 2026

In April 2026, a two-day learning event was hosted for Darwin Initiative supported projects and the wider conservation sector.

Delivered as a hybrid event, with a live audience in London and participants joining online, this Seminar Series brought together Project Leaders and experts to share insights and practical experience in delivering Darwin Initiative projects on the ground. The event connected funded projects past and present to learn and exchange ideas with peers from across the portfolio.

The Seminar Series consisted of four themed sessions, each formed of two project presentations, followed by a chaired panel discussion between Project Leaders and invited experts.

Day 1 - Tuesday 21^st April 2026

Session 1: Finance and Market-Based Approaches

This session explored practical approaches to livelihoods, market chains, and conservation incentives, with a focus on understanding value-chain legacies and identifying successful market interventions.

• Jo Elliott - Chair
• Emmanuel Mgimwa - Presenter & Panellist
• Matthew Snell - Presenter & Panellist
• Thomas Ratsakatika - Panellist
• Sue Snyman - Panellist

The slides from this session can be accessed here.

Session 2: Locally Led / Human Rights, and Inclusion

This session discussed what “locally led” really means in practice and whether it correlates with project success and legitimacy. What have projects done and what works well? It also considered best practice use of free, prior, and informed consent, and challenges frequently encountered by projects including rising casework, reputational risk, and the need for capacity building around community engagement and enforcement contexts.

• Dilys Roe - Chair
• Ziva Justinek - Presenter & Panellist
• Lindie Botha - Presenter & Panellist
• Patricia Mupeta-Muyamwa - Panellist
• Emma Jones-Phillipson - Panellist

The slides from this session can be accessed here.

Day 2 – Wednesday 22^nd April 2026

The second day consisted of the following sessions:

Session 3: Scaling Impact

This session looked at how Darwin Initiative projects have left a lasting impact through scaling up activities and engaging with local government and policy. It explored how projects can have greater impacts together rather than individually, and showcased good ‘whole-of-government’ approaches and those projects that have affected positive influence.

• Noëlle Kümpel - Chair
• Bryony Morgan - Presenter & Panellist
• Nigel Asquith - Presenter & Panellist
• Serah Munguti - Panellist
• Christoph Stein - Panellist

The slides from this session can be accessed here.

Session 4: Lessons from the Past 30 Years

This session explored how the Darwin Initiative has adapted to a changing global context while continuing to support impactful, on-the-ground conservation. It focused on the legacy of Darwin Initiative projects over its thirty-year history and how this ongoing evolution continues to shape the project design, delivery, and impact.

• David Macdonald - Chair
• Nelson Amaral - Presenter & Panellist
• Tasnim Elboute - Presenter & Panellist
• Matthew Gollock - Panellist
• Eilidh Young - Panellist
• Kevin Seely - Panellist

The slides from this session can be accessed here.

For more information on the project presenters, panellists, and Chairs, please see the event overview here.