Call for Proposals – Emergency Grants supports the protection of cultural and natural World Heritage properties in Africa facing imminent risks or damage.

Overview

The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) is an intergovernmental organization established in 2006 to support the effective conservation and promotion of cultural and natural heritage of outstanding universal value across Africa. The primary objective of the AWHF is to address challenges faced by African State Parties in implementing the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, specifically concerning the underrepresentation of African sites on the World Heritage List and deficiencies in site conservation and management.

This Emergency Grant is available in response to the urgent need for preservation and protection of cultural heritage sites threatened by various factors, including natural disasters, armed conflicts, and other emergencies. The grant provides immediate financial support for projects and initiatives focused on safeguarding and preserving World Heritage properties.

Funding and Benefits

• Grant Size: US$ 5,000 to US$ 20,000.
• Funding Use: Funds may cover urgent conservation work, stabilization efforts, documentation, and other activities directly related to protecting the cultural heritage site or artifact.
• Cost Coverage: The AWHF grant will only cover direct costs related to the project activities.
• Assessment: Each project will be assessed individually, and the awarded grant amount will be determined based on the project’s scope and needs.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this grant, projects must meet the following criteria:

• Projects must be located in Africa.
• Activities must focus on UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• The project must address an immediate threat to the site, such as natural disasters, conflicts, or emergencies.
• Applicants must provide evidence of an urgent need for intervention.
• Eligible applicants are governmental institutions responsible for heritage management.

Country Focus: All African countries are eligible.

Application Process

Interested applicants must submit a comprehensive grant application package, which must include:

• A project proposal outlining the objectives, methods, and expected outcomes, submitted using the AWHF application form (English and French versions).
• A detailed budget, including a breakdown of how the grant funds will be utilized, provided in US$.
• Letters of support or recommendation from relevant authorities, such as endorsement by the National Focal Point for World Heritage in the State Party.
• Documentation or any other supporting materials/information detailing the immediate threat to the World Heritage property.
• The application must also indicate the State Parties’ contribution to the project.

Completed applications should be submitted via email as an attachment to info@awhf.net.

Deadline and Timeline

Closing Date: 30 December 2026.

Applications can be submitted via email anytime of the year.

Contact Information

For further information, potential applicants may visit the portal365.org website or utilize the provided links for guidance on grant writing.