Lake Malawi National Park

Malawi

M'Zab Valley

 Algeria

Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata

Mauritania

Mana Pools National Park

 Zimbabwe

Kerkouane

  Tunisia

Twyfelfontein

Namibia

Thimlich Ohinga

Kenya

Barberton Makhonjwa

Mpumalanga – South Africa

Al Qal'a of Beni Hammad

Algeria

Lalibela

Ethiopia

Investing in heritage

WELCOME TO THE AFRICAN WORLD HERITAGE FUND

The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) is an inter-governmental organisation that was launched in 2006 with the mission to support the effective conservation and protection of natural and cultural heritage of outstanding universal value in Africa. Together with the African Members States of UNESCO and the African Union, the main aim is to develop a strategy to deal with the challenges that many African countries meet in implementing the 1972 World Heritage Convention. 

The UNESCO-designated World Heritage Sites in Africa are some of the most spectacular places on earth. The importance of preserving and promoting this cultural heritage escalates with each passing year. It is vital to raise awareness of this rich heritage while informing people of its value and gaining support for the conservation and development of these sites. We invite you to visit our website and learn more about the work of the African World Heritage Fund. Thank you!

DID YOU KNOW?

As of July 2021, Africa is underrepresented on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List with only 139 Sites listed from 1154 in the world, thus constituting only 12% representation. However, Africa is also over-represented on the World Heritage List in Danger with 21 Sites from 52 Sites listed in danger in the world, thus constituting 40% of the List. The situation is challenging to reverse.

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Youth in Africa declare their vision for the future of the World Heritage Convention

As 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, Africa's youth has shared their vision for The African Youth in the Next 50: the Heritage We Want. To empower the future custodians of World Heritage in Africa, the African World Heritage Fund has...

AWHF’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS AWARDS 5 CONSERVATION GRANTS AND 2 MOSES MAPESA GRANTS

AWHF is delighted to announce that the Board awarded conservation grants to 5 World Heritage conservation projects and 2 Moses Mapesa research grants in 2021-2022. This is another step forward to protect and conserve our cultural and natural heritage in Africa.

Call for Participation: 6th African World Heritage Youth Forum – Deadline 4 September 2022

Apply before 4/9 to join the 6th African World Heritage Youth Forum “the Next 50: The Heritage We Want through African young professionals” in the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon.

Call for Coordinator and Resource Persons: 6th African World Heritage Youth Forum – Deadline 4 September 2022

Apply before 4/9 to become the coordinator or resource person for the 6th African World Heritage Youth Forum held from 10-15 oktober at the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon.

Call for Grant Evaluators

The AWHF is welcoming applications from heritage professionals to evaluate the 2022/2023 Moses Mapesa and Conservation grant. Apply before 19 august 2022.

Call for Investment Proposals – African World Heritage fund investment

The African World Heritage Fund mandates to strengthen the implementation of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention (1972) by the African State Parties. The Committee’s mandate is to shortlist applicants and present the selection report to the Board. Therefore, the Fund is inviting eligible companies to submit investment proposals for consideration by the Committee.

Call for Proposals – Conservation and Moses Mapesa Research Grants

The AWHF is now welcoming applications for conservations grants and the Moses Mapesa research grant. Apply before 29 July 2022.

Call for Participation: MyAfricanHeritage

The AWHF is calling on all Africans to participate in the celebration of African heritage during the Africa Month. Stand a chance to win three months paid internship or visit to an amazing African World Heritage site by entering AWHF social media campaign MyAfricanHeritage.

CELEBRATING AFRICAN WORLD HERITAGE DAY: 5 MAY 2022

Proclaimed by the 38th session of the General Conference of UNESCO, African World Heritage Day is an opportunity for people around the world, particularly Africans, to celebrate the continents outstanding cultural and natural...

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION: AFRICAN WORLD HERITAGE YOUNG LEADERS WORKSHOP- DEADLINE 30 APRIL 2022

Apply before 30/4 to take part in the African World Heritage Young Leaders Workshop to be held from 20-25 May at Robben Island, South Africa.

Call for Participation: 6th African World Heritage Youth Forum – Deadline 4 September 2022

Apply before 4/9 to join the 6th African World Heritage Youth Forum “the Next 50: The Heritage We Want through African young professionals” in the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon.

AFRICAN UNION YEAR FOR ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE: WEBINAR ON HERITAGE AND TOURISM, AN ASSET FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (28 SEPTEMBER 2021)

In line with heritage month in South Africa, the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) will host a webinar centered around heritage and tourism. The theme of the webinar is “Heritage and Tourism, an asset for Sustainable Development”, which will be conducted under the...

Workshop on World Heritage and Sustainable Development in Africa: Implementing the 2015 Policy, 6 – 8 September 2021 (Online)

The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) and the University of Kent in collaboration with the University of Yaoundé, the Ministry of Forests and Wildlife, the Ministry of the Environment, Nature Protection andSustainable Development, and the Ministry of Arts and Culture...

AWHF TO FEATURE AT THE INTRA-AFRICAN TRADE FAIR (IATF 2021) 15th to 21st November – Durban, South Africa

The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) will feature as a partner at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2021 which will take place from 15th to 21st November in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The IATF 2021 will provide a lucrative platform for businesses to...

Extended 44th Session of the World Heritage Committee Side Event: Looking Into The Future: Highlights of the Regional Action Plan for Africa (2021-2027) / Événement Parallèle de la 44e Session Prolongée du Comité du Patrimoine Mondial: Regarder Vers l’Avenir: Points Saillants du Plan d’Action Régional pour l’Afrique (2021-2027)

The Extended 44th Session of the World Heritage Committee Side Event hosted by AWHF in partnership with UNESCO World Heritage Center (WHC) will take place on Friday, 30th July 2021 from 16:00 to 17:30 (Paris Time). The Webinar will take place on the Zoom platform,...

OUR WORLD HERITAGE – SUSTAINABILITY: HERITAGE AND CLIMATE CHANGE – 3RD JULY 2021

The UNESCO World Heritage Convention is an important international treaty that has for almost 50 years played a major role in expanding heritage legislation worldwide and identifying and promoting the protection of a growing list of the World’s most unique sites –...

44th Session of the Virtual World Heritage Committee – (16 to 31 July 2021) – 44e Session Virtuelle du Comité du Patrimoine Mondial – (16 au 31 Juillet 2021)

This year, the People’s Republic of China has the pleasure of hosting the extended 44th Session of the Virtual World Heritage Committee. The session is organized by UNESCO in cooperation with the Host Country, the People’s Republic of China. The session will be...

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