1. The African World Heritage Fund

The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) is an intergovernmental organization created in 2006 to support the effective conservation and promotion of cultural and natural heritage of outstanding universal value in Africa. The main objective of the AWHF is to address the challenges faced by African State Parties in the implementation of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, specifically, the underrepresentation of African sites on the World Heritage List and the insufficient conservation and management of these sites. The AWHF is a category Centre under the auspices of UNESCO. For more information about the activities of AWHF follow this link: http://www.awhf.net

2. Conservation Grants

Each year, AWHF provides conservation grants to African State Parties to implement projects and activities which focus on improving the sustainability and state of conservation of World Heritage properties.

3. Eligibility
1. Countries/Region – African continent.
2. Projects activities are restricted to World Heritage Sites as declared by UNESCO.
3. Project proposals MUST address challenges affecting the State of Conservation of selected World Heritage property (projects addressing the conservation issues raised in the State of Conservation (SoC) reports and the decisions made by the World Heritage Committee have added advantage).
4. Projects focusing on entrepreneurship initiatives, youth development or addressing sustainability issues at World Heritage properties.
5. Projects aiming at enhancing the legibility and accessibility of World Heritage properties through digital technologies.
6. Who can apply? Government institutions involved in the management and protection of World Heritage Sites.
7. The application must be approved by the Head/Director of heritage institution/organization accompanied by a cover letter endorsing the project.
4. Duration

The projects MUST be implemented between May 2024 and February 2025 (within 9 months).

5. Budget
1. AWHF grant will only cover direct costs related to the project activities.
2. Applicants should provide detailed budget in US$ for every activity to be implemented.
3. Applicants should indicate the State Parties’ contribution to the project.
6. Deadline for submission

All applications must be completed online. The deadline for submission – 17.00 (GMT) on 11 August 2023. However, applicants are highly encouraged to submit their proposals prior to the deadline. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

7. Evaluation and selection process

All applications will be assessed before the final decision is made. The assessment will be based on the “Key Funding Criteria” outlined in Section D of the Application form, including the following:

1. Relevance and contribution of the project to addressing conservation and sustainability challenges at a particular World Heritage property;
2. Quality of project design and use of innovative and cost-effective approaches;
3. Clearly articulated, realistic and measurable outcomes;
4. Level of stakeholders’ involvement and participation;
5. Accurate and realistic budget.
8. Final decision and notification

All applicants shall be notified of the outcome by January 2024.

For any queries regarding the application process, please contact African World Heritage Fund, 1258 Lever Road, Headway Hill, Midrand 1685 South Africa, Tel: +27 11 313 3061, Email: info@awhf.net (with copy to jopsj@dbsa.org).