ICCROM and Fondazione Scuola dei beni e delle attività culturali (FSBAC), the School of Cultural Heritage founded by the Ministry of Culture of Italy, are seeking 30 participants from African countries and Italy to join their new capacity-building initiative: World Heritage in Africa – Fostering practitioners for nomination processes and strategies (WHAPS) project.
The project will be held in three phases from March to November 2025: an initial in-person forum will be followed by an online mentoring programme over the course of six months. WHAPS aims to support and strengthen World Heritage capacities in Africa, with a focus on the World Heritage nomination processes and strategies and effective management planning approaches and impact assessments.
The three phases of the project consist of:
- In-person forum on World Heritage in Africa at the World Heritage property of Great Zimbabwe National Monument, Zimbabwe (3-7 March 2025) bringing together a wide range of regional and international World Heritage actors;
- 6 months Online mentoring programme featuring bi-weekly online sessions (2 hours each) with specialist instructors on the foundations of World Heritage and its relevant processes such as nominations and state of conservation, with a particular focus on heritage impact assessment (April – October 2025);
- Closing in-person workshop in Italy to finalize the activities and promote the outcomes of the forum and mentoring programme (November 2025).
During the mentoring programme, participants will be accompanied by dedicated mentors in small groups to learn about the basic foundations of World Heritage nomination processes and strategies and World Heritage management following the step-by-step methodology of conducting impact assessment for World Heritage. The participants will be requested to work on documents needed for the World Heritage nomination processes, drafting a preliminary dossier for the site they are working on, and to develop an impact assessment report that takes into account the management of World Heritage as the final result of the programme. The result of the mentoring programme will be shared during the final closing workshop, which will take place in Italy. Participants must fully engage with all phases of the project.
The goals of this project are:
- to strengthen international collaboration for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention and its principles;
- nurture competent World Heritage nomination, management and impact assessment professionals
- empower young and emerging heritage professionals;
- provide heritage professionals with a wide range of tools and strategies for World Heritage;
- create a network of skilled African and Italian heritage institutions and professionals;
- ensure World Heritage delivers inclusive and equitable benefits to Indigenous Peoples and local communities;
- and strengthen youth engagement and innovation.
This project is based on the following key resources:
- The World Heritage Convention and Operational Guidelines (2023) for the foundation and processes of the World Heritage Convention.
- The Guidance on Developing and Revising World Heritage Tentative Lists (2020) for details on the relevant processes and content needed that will facilitate preparing a World Heritage nomination
- The ‘Guidance and Toolkit on Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context’ (2022), which offers an integrated impact assessment methodology with an accompanying set of tools designed specifically to the needs of World Heritage properties, both cultural and natural.
- The forthcoming resource manual on ‘Managing World Heritage’ (working title), and the Enhancing our Heritage Toolkit 2.0 (2023) offering an integrated framework for World Heritage management and conservation, which combines the two previous resource manuals on ‘Managing Cultural World Heritage’ and ‘Managing Natural World Heritage’.
Who can apply?
The programme is open to professionals and ministries’ officers responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention both on nominations and management, from all African countries and Italy. This includes those working as site managers, representatives of heritage and planning institutions, agencies, organizations and communities with responsibilities in relation to the management of World Heritage. Special attention will be given to government officials in charge of the preparation of World Heritage nominations coming from the following countries: Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique and Tunisia.
As the project will be delivered in English only, proficiency in English is a requirement. A limited number of places will be reserved for young professionals (35 or under).
Criteria for the selection will take into consideration the following:
a) diversity of heritage sites represented.
b) diversity in the representation of countries and locations.
c) candidates' statements.
d) curriculum of the candidates.
e) English language proficiency.
The selection will be made by a commission of experts composed by Fondazione Scuola dei beni e attività culturali and ICCROM.
How to apply?
To apply for the course, please complete the online application form by 2 December 2024. In the application form, applications should include the following documents:
- Short professional Curriculum Vitae that highlights relevant experience with World Heritage and/or impact assessment (in English, max. 2 pages)
- Endorsement form signed by your employer or an institution to demonstrate that you have institutional support for your participation
- Scanned copy of your passport
- Photo of yourself
Cost of participation
The project will be free of charge for all selected participants, including travel costs, accommodation and meals for the in-person forum and the closing workshop. However, participants must ensure they can use a computer with a stable internet connection for the duration of the mentoring programme. They must also be fully committed to participating in all aspects of the project and dedicate the time necessary to attend live sessions with their mentor and carry out assignments between sessions.