Call for Proposals – Emergency Grants

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 conservation and management deficiencies of these sites. The AWHF is a category Centre under the auspices of UNESCO.

2. Emergency Grant

In response to the urgent need for the preservation and protection of cultural heritage sites threatened by various factors including natural disasters, armed conflicts, and other emergencies, the AWHF is pleased to announce the availability of Emergency Grants for the Protection of Cultural and Natural World Heritage in Africa.

3. Emergency Grant Purpose

The primary purpose of this grants is to provide immediate financial support for projects and initiatives focused on safeguarding and preserving cultural and natural World Heritage properties in the face of imminent risks or damage. The projects and activities under this grant shall contribute towards disaster recovery and improving the sustainability and state of conservation of World Heritage properties.

4. Eligibility Criteria

i. Countries/Region – African continent
ii. Projects activities are restricted to World Heritage Sites as declared by UNESCO.
iii. Project proposals MUST address challenges affecting the State of Conservation of selected World Heritage property as a result of natural disasters, armed conflicts, and other emergencies.
iv. The proposed project must address an immediate and verifiable threat to a world heritage property.
v. Applicants must provide evidence of the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate intervention.
vi. Who can apply? Government institutions involved in the management and protection of World Heritage Sites.
vii. Detailed project plans, budgets, and timelines must be included in the application.
viii. The application must be approved by the Head/Director of heritage institution/organization accompanied by a cover letter endorsing the project.

5. Funding Details

a) Grants will range from US$ 5,000 to US$ 20,000.
b) Funding may be used for urgent conservation work, stabilization efforts, documentation, and other activities directly related to protecting the cultural heritage site or artifact.
c) AWHF grant will only cover direct costs related to the project activities.
d) Applicants should provide detailed budget in US$ for every activity to be implemented;
e) Applicants should indicate the State Parties’ contribution to the project.
f) Each project will be assessed individually, and the grant amount awarded will be determined based on the project’s scope and needs.

6. Application Procedure

Interested applicants must submit a comprehensive grant application package that includes the following:

a) A project proposal outlining the objectives, methods, and expected outcomes using the AWHF application form (English and French versions).
b) A detailed budget, including a breakdown of how the grant funds will be utilized.
c) Letters of support or recommendation from relevant authorities (i.e., endorsement by the National Focal Point for World Heritage in the State Party).
d) Documentation or any other supporting materials/information of the immediate threat to the World Heritage property.
e) Completed applications should be submitted via email (as attachment) to info@awhf.net anytime of the year.

7. Selection Process

A panel of independent experts in the field of cultural and natural heritage will evaluate the applications based on their merit, urgency, and alignment with the grant’s objectives. Successful applicants will be notified within six (6) months from the application submission date.

8. Contact Information

For inquiries and submission of grant applications, 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 preciousm@dbsa.org