HERITΛGE is proud to announce that one of the projects funded through our Small Grants for Africa initiative—made possible with support from the Mellon Foundation’s Humanities in Place program—has been selected as a laureate of the 2025 UNESCO–Japan Prize on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). This global recognition celebrates outstanding and transformative initiatives advancing sustainability through education and community engagement.

Selected from 120 nominations worldwide, Culture at the Heart of Development (CACD-NGO) from Benin received the award for its innovative project, “Restoration and Innovative Management of the Ookpo Sacred Forest in Pobè.” The prize was awarded during a ceremony at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 20 November 2025, with each laureate receiving US $50,000.

A Model of Sustainability Rooted in Cultural Heritage

Launched in 2019, the project focuses on safeguarding the Ookpo Sacred Forest, dedicated to the Ondo (Oranyan) deity. Supported by HERITΛGE’s Small Grants for Africa program, the initiative showcases how cultural heritage can serve as a powerful platform for sustainable development.

CACD-NGO’s work integrates traditional knowledge with modern tools—including digital outreach, heritage education, and ecotourism development—to create a transformative model of Education for Sustainable Development that:

• Revitalizes sacred forest heritage
• Strengthens climate resilience through conservation
• Engages youth and community members in sustainable practices
• Combines cultural knowledge with digital innovation
• Supports nature-based economic development and job creation

 

An independent international jury praised the project for its “outstanding contribution to transforming local communities through its effective blend of cultural revitalization, digital innovation, and nature-based economic development.” The initiative’s social impact—spanning environmental protection, youth empowerment, and livelihood creation—was central to its selection as a 2025 laureate.

HERITΛGE celebrates this achievement as a profound affirmation of the leadership and creativity of African heritage organizations working at the intersection of culture, sustainability, and community well-being. We are honored to have supported CACD-NGO and proud to see their work recognized on the global stage.

“We extend our warmest congratulations to CACD-NGO on this remarkable achievement and look forward to the continued growth and impact of their work. This is excellent news, and we are so proud that this work is being recognised internationally” said HERITΛGE Director Dr. Evangelos Kyriakidis. 

Project manager Franck Serge W. Alokpowanou contacted HERITΛGE to share the news.

“We are delighted to share this distinction with you and to express our sincere gratitude for your support and partnership, which made this achievement possible,” he said.

The success of this project underscores HERITΛGE’s commitment—supported by the Mellon Foundation—to advancing heritage-centered approaches to sustainable development across Africa. Through the Small Grants for Africa program, we continue to empower local organizations that are preserving heritage, fostering resilience, and driving positive social transformation.

Read more about the Awards and all three laureates here.