Submissions open for Conservation Grants

Deadline: 31-Jul-2026

Applications are open for Conservation Grants supporting African States Parties and eligible partner institutions working on the conservation, protection, and sustainability of UNESCO World Heritage properties in Africa. The program focuses on improving conservation outcomes, addressing identified risks, and strengthening long-term heritage management. It also supports preparatory work for sites seeking inclusion on UNESCO Tentative Lists and future inscription.

Program Purpose and Core Objectives

The program aims to strengthen conservation and sustainability of African World Heritage properties under UNESCO protection.

Key objectives include:

• Improving the state of conservation of African World Heritage sites
• Addressing issues identified in State of Conservation (SOC) reports
• Implementing World Heritage Committee decisions
• Supporting sustainable site management and long-term protection
• Strengthening readiness for Tentative List inclusion and future nomination

Additional focus areas include:

• Promoting entrepreneurship linked to heritage sites
• Supporting youth development and engagement
• Improving digital access and interpretation of heritage properties
• Enhancing visibility and accessibility of World Heritage sites through technology

Eligible Sites and Focus Areas

Eligibility is restricted to UNESCO-recognized heritage properties in Africa.

Eligible categories:

• African World Heritage Sites inscribed by UNESCO
• Sites on National Tentative Lists
• Sites planned for future Tentative List inclusion

Priority focus areas:

• Conservation challenges identified in UNESCO SOC reports
• Issues highlighted in World Heritage Committee decisions
• Environmental degradation and sustainability risks
• Weak management or protection systems
• Limited accessibility or digital documentation

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include institutions responsible for heritage protection and their formal partners.

Applicant types:

• Government institutions managing World Heritage sites
• Civil society organizations working in formal partnership with responsible authorities

Requirements:

• Applications must be approved by the head or director of the responsible heritage institution
• An official endorsement letter is mandatory
• CSOs cannot apply independently without government partnership

What the Grant Funds Support

The grant covers only direct costs linked to approved project activities.

Eligible cost categories:

• Conservation and restoration activities
• Implementation of sustainability and management plans
• Digital documentation and interpretation tools
• Youth engagement and training programs
• Entrepreneurship and livelihood-support initiatives
• Technical assessments and expert support

Budget requirements:

• Detailed budget must be submitted in US dollars
• Costs must be itemized by activity
• Applicants must include co-financing or contributions from:
  • State Party governments
  • Other partners

Grant Timeline and Implementation Period

• Implementation period: April 2027 to February 2028
• Fixed project cycle with no flexibility for extension
• Projects must be fully designed for completion within this timeframe

Key implication:

• Strong time-bound planning is essential
• Activities must be realistic and executable within the given period

How the Program Works

The process follows a structured review cycle:

• Step 1: Call for applications is announced
• Step 2: Eligible organizations submit proposals
• Step 3: Eligibility and completeness screening
• Step 4: Technical evaluation based on:
  • Conservation relevance
  • Project design quality
  • Outcome measurability
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Budget accuracy and realism
• Step 5: Final selection and approval
• Step 6: Notification of results by 29 January 2027

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are assessed using the following criteria:

Primary criteria:

• Relevance to conservation and sustainability challenges
• Alignment with UNESCO SOC reports and Committee decisions
• Innovation and quality of project design
• Clarity and measurability of outcomes

Operational criteria:

• Stakeholder participation and collaboration
• Budget realism and transparency
• Feasibility within the project timeline

Key Concepts Explained

UNESCO World Heritage properties:

• Sites recognized for outstanding cultural or natural value
• Protected under international heritage frameworks

State of Conservation (SOC) reports:

• Official UNESCO reports assessing site condition and risks
• Identify threats such as environmental damage or management gaps

World Heritage Tentative List:

• National list of sites proposed for future UNESCO nomination
• Required step before formal inscription process

Conservation sustainability:

• Long-term protection of heritage value
• Includes governance, environmental protection, and community involvement

Why This Program Matters

The program strengthens heritage protection systems across Africa by:

• Supporting conservation of globally significant sites
• Addressing risks identified by UNESCO monitoring systems
• Improving local management capacity
• Enhancing digital access and documentation of heritage sites
• Supporting youth engagement and local economic development
• Strengthening sustainable heritage tourism models

Overall, it helps preserve African cultural and natural heritage while improving long-term sustainability and accessibility.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Application issues:

• Missing required government endorsement
• Weak alignment with UNESCO conservation priorities
• Non-specific or generic project design
• Lack of site-level focus

Budget issues:

• Incomplete or non-itemized budgets
• Missing co-financing information
• Unrealistic cost estimates

Implementation risks:

• Poor coordination between government and CSOs
• Weak integration of digital or sustainability components
• Lack of measurable outcomes

Tips for a Strong Application

Strong proposals typically include:

• Clear alignment with SOC reports and UNESCO decisions
• Strong government–CSO partnership structure
• Site-specific conservation objectives
• Clear and measurable outcomes

Best practices:

• Include digital conservation or accessibility elements
• Demonstrate youth and community participation
• Provide realistic planning for the 2027–2028 timeline
• Ensure strong governance and approval documentation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is this grant program?

• It is a UNESCO funding initiative supporting conservation of African World Heritage properties.

Who can apply?

• Government institutions managing heritage sites and CSOs in formal partnership with them.

Can NGOs apply alone?

• No, they must apply with government authorization.

What is the project duration?

• April 2027 to February 2028.

What does the funding cover?

• Only direct costs related to approved conservation activities.

What documents are required?

• A detailed USD budget and official endorsement letter.

When are results announced?

• By 29 January 2027.

Conclusion

The UNESCO Conservation Grants Program supports targeted conservation and sustainability efforts across African World Heritage properties. It strengthens site protection systems, encourages collaboration between governments and civil society, and improves accessibility through digital and community-based approaches. The program ensures that heritage sites are preserved responsibly while supporting long-term cultural, environmental, and developmental value.

For more information, visit African World Heritage Fund.