CFAs: Managing Multi-Internationally Designated Areas

The Global Research and Training Centre for Internationally Designated Areas (GCIDA), ICCROM, and IUCN through the World Heritage Leadership Programme are offering a specialized course to strengthen management systems for heritage sites with multiple international designations. The course is fee-free and offers limited travel scholarships for participants from Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.

Eligible applicants include professionals, institutions, agencies, and community representatives involved in managing World Heritage properties that also hold at least one additional designation such as Biosphere Reserve, UNESCO Global Geopark, or Ramsar Site.

What Is This Heritage Management Course?

This is an international capacity-building programme designed for managers and stakeholders responsible for complex heritage sites with multiple global recognitions.

The training focuses on Multi-Internationally Designated Areas (MIDAs), meaning sites that hold two or more international designations.

These sites often require coordinated management systems because they operate under different conservation mandates and governance structures.

Organizing Institutions

The programme is offered by:

GCIDA (Global Research and Training Centre for Internationally Designated Areas)
ICCROM
IUCN

Through the:

World Heritage Leadership Programme

What Are MIDAs?

MIDAs are places recognized under more than one international framework.

Examples include a site that is:

UNESCO World Heritage
A Biosphere Reserve
A UNESCO Global Geopark
Ramsar Convention wetland site

Why MIDAs Need Special Management

Multiple recognitions can create overlapping objectives, reporting systems, and management expectations.

This course helps participants learn how to:

Integrate management systems
Reduce duplication
Improve governance coordination
Strengthen adaptive conservation planning
Balance ecological and cultural values

Main Course Focus Areas

Core Training Themes

Managing Multi-Internationally Designated Areas
Understanding differences between designations
Integrated governance systems
Adaptive management approaches
Heritage conservation planning
Management effectiveness evaluation

Practical Training Included

Participants will receive training on:

Enhancing Our Heritage Toolkit 2.0

This toolkit helps site managers:

Assess management effectiveness
Identify institutional gaps
Improve decision-making systems
Strengthen conservation outcomes
Build long-term resilience plans

Funding and Benefits

Course Fee

No course fee

Scholarships

Limited travel scholarships are available for participants from:

Africa
Asia
Pacific region

Scholarship Coverage

Round-trip travel
Visa costs

Fully Covered by Organisers

During the course, organisers provide:

Accommodation
Meals
Local transportation

Number of Participants

Approximately:

20 participants

Regional Participation Focus

Participants are expected from:

Republic of Korea
Asia
Pacific
Africa

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants should be connected to eligible heritage sites with multiple designations.

Eligible Applicant Types

Site management office representatives
Protected area agencies
Government institutions
NGOs
Heritage professionals
Conservation practitioners
Community representatives

Site Eligibility Requirement

Applicants must work with a World Heritage property that also has at least one additional international designation.

Examples of Eligible Combinations

World Heritage + Biosphere Reserve
World Heritage + Ramsar Site
World Heritage + UNESCO Global Geopark
World Heritage + multiple additional recognitions

Why This Opportunity Matters

Globally recognized sites often face tourism pressure, biodiversity threats, governance complexity, and climate risks.

Benefits of This Course

Improve management effectiveness
Gain international tools and frameworks
Learn from peer practitioners
Build global networks
Strengthen conservation impact
Improve multi-stakeholder governance

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Site Eligibility

Ensure your site has two or more international designations.

Step 2: Confirm Your Role

Applicants should be actively involved in management or governance.

Step 3: Prepare Application Materials

Likely requirements may include:

CV
Professional background
Role in site management
Motivation statement
Site information
Scholarship request (if applicable)

Step 4: Submit Before Deadline

Use the official programme application channel.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Eligibility Errors

Applying from a site with only one designation
No management connection to the site
Missing documentation

Application Errors

Weak motivation statement
No explanation of site challenges
Incomplete scholarship request
Late submission

Tips for a Strong Application

Explain management challenges clearly
Show leadership potential
Highlight community involvement
Demonstrate relevance of toolkit training
Describe how learning will be applied locally

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the course free?

Yes, selected participants pay no course fee.

2. Who can receive travel support?

Limited scholarships are available for participants from Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.

3. What is a MIDA?

A Multi-Internationally Designated Area with two or more global recognitions.

4. Can community representatives apply?

Yes, if involved in management of an eligible site.

5. How many participants will be selected?

Around 20 participants.

6. What tool is taught in the course?

Enhancing Our Heritage Toolkit 2.0.

7. What if my site only has one designation?

Only sites with two or more international designations are eligible.

Conclusion

This World Heritage Leadership Programme course is a valuable fully funded opportunity for professionals managing complex heritage landscapes. It equips participants with practical tools to improve governance, conservation, and integrated planning for internationally recognized sites.

Eligible applicants should apply early with a strong statement showing how the training will strengthen their site’s long-term management.