Call for Proposals: Conservation Grants (Africa)

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 UNESCO Convention of Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (World Heritage Convention) adopted in 1972, 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.

Funding Information

• AWHF grant will only cover direct costs related to the project activities.
• Applicants should provide detailed budget in US$ for every activity to be implemented.
• Applicants should indicate the State Parties’ contribution to the project.
• The projects must be implemented between May 2025 and February 2026 (within 9 months).

Eligibility Criteria

• Countries/Region – African continent
• Projects activities are restricted to World Heritage Sites as declared by UNESCO.
• 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).
• Projects focusing on entrepreneurship initiatives, youth development or addressing sustainability issues at World Heritage properties.
• Projects aiming at enhancing the legibility and accessibility of World Heritage properties through digital technologies.
• Who can apply? Government institutions involved in the management and protection of World Heritage Sites.
• The application must be approved by the Head/Director of heritage institution/organization accompanied by a cover letter endorsing the project.

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”, including the following:
  • Relevance and contribution of the project to addressing conservation and sustainability challenges at a particular World Heritage property;
  • Quality of project design and use of innovative and cost-effective approaches;
  • Clearly articulated, realistic and measurable outcomes;
  • Level of stakeholders’ involvement and participation;
  • Accurate and realistic budget.

For more information, visit AWHF.