What is AVA Academy?
AVA Academy is a global leadership and skills-building program created by AVA International to strengthen the impact of animal advocacy professionals. Through small, cohort-based trainings, the Academy supports emerging and established leaders in building effective organizations, deepening collaboration, and advancing strategic change for farmed animals.
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Whether you're growing your team, refining your narrative, or building long-term funding streams, AVA Academy offers hands-on learning designed to meet the evolving needs of advocates worldwide.
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Each Academy is tailored to its region, recognizing local challenges, opportunities, and cultural dynamics. Cohorts gather for intensive, multi-day training led by experienced facilitators, often in conjunction with an AVA Summit to extend connection and community.
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What to expect?
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Cohort-based learning with 20–30 peers
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Tracks tailored to local and regional priorities
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Expert-led, practical skill-building sessions
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Deep networking, reflection, and strategic development
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Opportunities for continued engagement after the program
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About AVA Academy India
AVA International, in partnership with Bolder Horizons, is proud to launch the pilot edition of AVA Academy in New Delhi, India from September 30–October 2, 2025.
Modeled after programs like LEAD for Farmed Animals, AVA Academy is designed to equip professionals in the animal advocacy movement with the tools, strategy, and community needed to strengthen impact across Asia.
Taking place just before the AVA Summit India, this immersive learning experience is tailored to the regional context and fosters peer learning, leadership growth, and long-term movement collaboration.
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Why Asia, why now?
Asia is home to the vast majority of the world’s farmed animals—billions of chickens, pigs, and others raised for food.
Despite this scale, many advocates across the continent face limited access to resources, training, and strategic support.
AVA Academy is designed to meet these needs head-on, providing culturally relevant professional development opportunities for individuals and organizations advancing farmed animal advocacy in the region.
What are the focus areas?
AVA Academy India will offer three intensive learning cohorts. Applicants will be invited to select their preferred focus area.
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Strategic Development (Fundraising & Organizational Leadership)
The Strategic Development track is designed for advocates seeking to strengthen the core of their organizations and initiatives. This track combines intensive training in both fundraising and organizational leadership, providing you with the skills to secure vital resources, build resilient teams, and lead with vision. Through interactive workshops and real-world case studies, you’ll learn how to develop sustainable funding strategies, cultivate donor relationships, and implement effective leadership practices that drive long-term impact.
This track is for leadership level individuals who are involved in fundraising, strategic planning, and managing teams. this track will help you navigate challenges and seize opportunities to advance your mission.
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Communications & Media
The Communications & Media track is tailored for advocates who want to amplify their message and maximize their reach. Effective communication is at the heart of every successful advocacy campaign. In this track, you’ll gain hands-on experience in media relations, digital storytelling, social media strategy, and crisis communication. Learn how to craft compelling narratives, engage diverse audiences, and leverage traditional and new media to advance animal protection.
This track is ideal for those responsible for public outreach, campaign messaging, or organizational communications.
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Campaigning
The Campaigning track is for advocates ready to design, launch, and scale impactful campaigns. This track covers the essential elements of campaign strategy, from research and planning to execution and evaluation. You’ll explore innovative tactics, coalition-building, grassroots mobilization, and policy advocacy, all within the context of the unique challenges and opportunities facing the animal advocacy movement in Asia.
Through practical exercises and peer collaboration, you’ll leave equipped to lead campaigns that inspire action and create lasting change.
What makes this program unique?
Expert-Led Training
Each cohort is guided by field experts with deep understanding of advocacy and leadership in the animal protection space.
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Small, Cohort-Based Learning
We’re creating space for deeper engagement by limiting each focus area to just 20–30 participants.
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Peer Collaboration
From group exercises to networking, the program emphasizes shared learning among regional peers.
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Extended Engagement
AVA Academy participants will continue building relationships and knowledge well beyond the 3-day intensive through continued community support.
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Strategic Timing
Held just before the AVA Summit India, the program creates seamless connection between Academy training and Summit participation.
Applications open now through August 1, 2025