Delivered over the past two months, the workshops brought together 29 participants from Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Nuevo León to explore how cultural heritage can become a catalyst for social impact, economic opportunity, and sustainable community development.

The workshops attracted a diverse group of participants representing a wide range of sectors and perspectives. Attendees included representatives from culture, tourism, and economic development agencies, universities, Indigenous communities, community promoters, tour operators, non-governmental organizations, and independent heritage practitioners. This diversity created a rich environment for discussion, learning, and collaboration.

A particularly valuable aspect of the workshops was the participation of representatives from four Indigenous peoples of northern Mexico. Their knowledge, experiences, and community perspectives contributed significantly to discussions on heritage management, community engagement, and sustainable development, highlighting the importance of locally rooted approaches to heritage stewardship.

The Communities, Heritage and Economic Development workshop was originally developed by Paul Burtenshaw of the World Monuments Fund and was delivered in Mexico by Athena Yiannitsas. The workshops represent the first time that HERITΛGE has offered this training in Spanish, expanding access to methodologies and practical tools that have already benefited heritage practitioners in other parts of the world.

Throughout the program, participants explored ways of linking heritage conservation and promotion with broader social and economic goals. Discussions focused on how heritage can support local livelihoods, strengthen community identity, encourage sustainable tourism, and contribute to long-term community resilience and well-being.

The workshops form part of the broader HerMaP Mexico initiative. HerMaP Mexico works across the six northern border states of Mexico to strengthen cultural heritage management through training, networking, sector mapping, and support for community-led heritage projects.

As the initiative continues to expand, HERITΛGE remains committed to supporting heritage professionals, community leaders, and organizations working to safeguard and activate the rich and diverse heritage of northern Mexico.

We extend our sincere thanks to all participants for their enthusiasm, commitment, and generosity in sharing their ideas, experiences, and knowledge. Their engagement is helping build a stronger and more connected heritage community across the region.

With two successful cohorts completed, HerMaP Mexico looks forward to continuing to provide training opportunities that empower communities and strengthen the role of cultural heritage as a driver of sustainable development throughout northern Mexico.

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At HERITΛGE we are very proud to be a part of a new, UN-recognised campaign to accelerate climate change adaptation for cultural heritage sites and practices by 2030, Heritage Adapts! (HA!)

The HA! Initiative launches today as the first global campaign uniting the heritage sector behind a shared mission: to have at least 3,000 sites and practices pledge to take locally-led climate adaptation action by 2030. 

The campaign is driven by a powerful coalition of  leading partners, led by Preserving Legacies, that also includes HERITΛGE, the Center for Indigenous Peoples’ Research and Development (CIPRED), The Climate Heritage Network (CHN), the European Heritage Hub, the Intangible Cultural Heritage NGO Forum, International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), Julie’s Bicycle, Shadhona, and the World Monuments Fund. 

Recognised by UNFCCC, the UN’s climate agency, as a Plan to Accelerate Solutions advancing the Global Goal on Adaptation, Heritage Adapts! connects local action to global impact, strengthening community resilience worldwide.

A crisis threatening heritage, community resilience

Climate change is the fastest-growing threat to heritage globally. According to UNESCO, one in three natural heritage sites and one in six cultural heritage sites are under threat, as are 60% of World Heritage Forests and 66% of World Heritage Marine Sites. UNESCO’s newly published People and Nature in Unesco-Designated Sites report further found that across its sites, climate-related hazards have increased 40% in a decade, and more than one in four could hit potentially irreversible tipping points by 2050. But this data covers only a fraction of the world’s heritage; most sites, living practices, collections, and landscapes that communities value remain untracked by international frameworks. This gap is itself part of the problem. Compounded by heritage adaptation remaining largely absent from climate finance and policy, stewards on the frontlines are often left with limited funding and support. Yet heritage is not just a victim, it is part of the solution, a source of community resilience and time-tested solutions relevant today.

A collective campaign built for action

Heritage Adapts! — with its founding coalition of over 100 organisations and stewards across the Global North and South — aims to fill that gap and accelerate climate adaptation for all types of heritage.

“As the world hurtles toward 2°C of warming, we are in a race to help communities—and the culture and heritage that sustain them—adapt while there is still time. The UN’s new Global Goal on adapting cultural heritage can be transformative, but only if it fuels real support for every site and cultural practice. Around the world, partners are uniting to urgently seize this moment. That shared resolve is the driving force behind Heritage Adapts!” – Andrew Potts, Director of Policy, Preserving Legacies. 

HERIΤΛGE is excited to be part of an initiative that aims to foster immediate action at the level of local communities and heritage managers.

“Across the world, we are already witnessing the impact of climate change on cultural heritage, from historic cities and archaeological sites to living traditions and community practices. At HERITΛGE, we work with heritage professionals and communities on the frontlines of these challenges, helping them build the skills, knowledge and networks needed to respond. We are honoured to be part of Heritage Adapts!, an initiative that has the potential to drive meaningful change where it matters most. By empowering those closest to heritage to lead adaptation efforts, we can strengthen both heritage resilience and community resilience for generations to come,” said HERITΛGE Director, Dr. Evangelos Kyriakidis.

At the core of HA! is the collective pledge to take locally -ed adaptation action by 2030 and an online community of action platform to support those adapting. Built around a self-paced program through every stage of adaptation, it makes the process accessible no matter the starting point. A global peer network connects those on the frontlines, and downscaled climate data is available in downloadable regional packets, complemented by training so stewards can use it on their own terms and weave it with the knowledge their communities already hold. Developed directly with stewards, it is grounded in hands-on expertise and an inclusive, locally led, plural knowledge system approach to help ensure all voices are at the table and that solutions are targeted, sustainable, and locally appropriate.

Heritage stewards, organisations, and institutions are invited to take the pledge, join the community, and start adapting at act.heritageadapts.org. 

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Professionals from across the global heritage and cultural sectors came together this May for HERITΛGE’s Strategic Planning Workshop, an intensive training programme designed to strengthen strategic thinking, organisational resilience, and long-term sustainability within the heritage field.

The workshop took place over two sessions, on 14–15 May and 21–22 May 2026, bringing together 18 participants from Greece, Rwanda, Malawi, Puerto Rico, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Ethiopia, Jordan, Turkey, Zimbabwe, and Botswana.

Led by Dr. Alexandros Papalexandris, the HERITΛGE strategy workshop offers a dynamic introduction to the core principles of strategic management and its critical role in shaping successful individuals and organizations. Participants explore how strategy is formed and applied, gaining insight into organizational vision, mission, and values, as well as how to translate them into clear, actionable strategic goals while effectively navigating change. A strong emphasis is placed on understanding stakeholders and aligning strategies with their expectations. 

The program also develops participants’ ability to scan the external environment and industry landscape, using key analytical tools to identify opportunities and market segments. In addition, it highlights the foundations of competitive advantage, essential organizational resources and capabilities, and the key success factors behind effective strategy execution, including the basics of feasibility studies and business planning.

“The Strategic Planning Workshop aims to provide heritage professionals with practical tools and critical perspectives to help them navigate increasingly complex and uncertain environments,” said Foteini Giannoulidi, Educational Programs Manager at HERITΛGE. “What made this workshop particularly valuable was the diversity of experiences and perspectives brought by participants from different regions of the world. The discussions demonstrated how strategic thinking, collaboration, and adaptability are becoming essential skills for safeguarding and sustainably managing heritage today. It was also a great honour to welcome Ivan Verbytskyi, Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, whose insights into managing culture and heritage during times of crisis offered participants an inspiring and deeply important perspective on resilience, leadership, and adaptability.”

The workshop was further enriched by a series of inspiring guest lectures and discussions on cultural resilience and leadership in times of uncertainty.

Among the guest speakers was Ivan Verbytskyi, Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, who shared powerful insights into the unprecedented challenges faced by Ukraine’s cultural and heritage sector during the ongoing war. His lecture highlighted how heritage managers and cultural institutions can respond effectively during periods of crisis and instability.

One of the key takeaways from his presentation was the importance of flexibility and adaptability in strategic management. In rapidly evolving and unpredictable situations, the ability of managers to adjust quickly and make informed decisions under pressure becomes critical for sustaining institutions and protecting cultural heritage.

Participants also heard from Rafika Mokhtari, architect, co-founder of Izourane Algeria, HERITΛGE fellow, and HERITΛGE grantee. Rafika presented her heritage initiative in Algeria and shared practical lessons from its implementation, including the operational and strategic challenges encountered during the project’s development.

Her presentation offered participants valuable insight into real-world project execution, risk management, collaboration, and the importance of strategic planning in overcoming obstacles within the heritage sector.

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The EMPATHS Training Programme is designed for heritage professionals who want to explore how heritage interpretation can become more participatory, inclusive, and community-centred. Through interactive and practice-based learning, the programme invites participants to rethink the role of heritage professionals as facilitators of dialogue, co-creation, and shared meaning-making.

The programme is being delivered as part of EMPATHS, an Erasmus+ co-funded European project that brings together partners from across Europe to develop new approaches, methods, and tools for participatory heritage interpretation.

The training consists of six live online sessions organised through three regional hubs in Greece, Italy, and Austria-Slovenia. Participants will engage in collaborative learning experiences that include group discussions, breakout activities, reflection exercises, peer exchange, and the practical application of participatory methods.

The programme is open to professionals working at the intersection of heritage and communities, including:

• Museum professionals
• Cultural heritage practitioners
• NGO and civil society actors
• Local authorities
• Tourism professionals
• Educators and facilitators

Participants who successfully complete the online training will become eligible to apply for the next phase of the programme: the Interpretive Community Labs.

These five-day in-person co-creation workshops will offer immersive, real-world learning experiences in collaboration with local communities. During the Labs, participants will apply participatory heritage interpretation methods in practice, co-creating interpretation outcomes while working directly within community contexts.

Each hub will host its own Interpretive Community Lab:

Greece Hub

Participants who complete the online training sessions taking place from 22–29 June 2026 will be eligible to apply for the Interpretive Community Lab hosted at the Ethnological Museum of Thrace between 28 August and 1 September 2026.

Italy Hub

Participants completing the online training may apply for the Interpretive Community Lab taking place in September 2026 at the Archaeological Park of Campi Flegrei.

Austria & Slovenia Hub

Participants completing the online training may apply for the Interpretive Community Lab taking place from 7–11 September 2026 at the Karawanken-Karavanke UNESCO Global Geopark.

A limited number of participants will be selected for each Interpretive Community Lab through a second application process.

The EMPATHS programme offers participants the opportunity to develop practical participatory skills, strengthen facilitation competences, gain hands-on co-creation experience, and connect with a growing European network of heritage professionals committed to more inclusive and collaborative heritage practices.

Participants who complete the programme will also receive a certificate of participation.

To learn more and apply, visit:

https://empaths-project.eu/participatory-training-programme/

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An oral history and heritage workshop

By Denise Navarro

HerMaP Mexico, HERIΤΛGE’s major initiative to support cultural heritage in Mexico’s northern border states  is now in full motion. After crossing the six-month mark of the project, we carried out an intensive, month-long field visit across four states  of Mexico’s northern border: Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas. This on-site engagement allowed us to strengthen partnerships, deliver specialized training, and continue mapping capacity needs across the region.

Throughout the visit, we engaged with a wide range of stakeholders who have been progressively involved in the project. These included representatives from local and federal government bodies, universities, key institutional partners such as the U.S. Consulate in Monterrey, and, crucially, community-led initiatives and associations working on the ground to safeguard heritage.

At this stage of the project, the numbers reflect the momentum and progress achieved so far, as well as the strong interest and commitment of heritage professionals and practitioners in northern Mexico:

• Two workshops on Oral History and Heritage have been delivered
• 40 professionals have been trained
• One formal collaboration agreement has been signed
• Two radio programs have been recorded
• Three talks were delivered to university students in tourism, arts, and social project management in the “Heritage Days” Program of Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC)
• More than 50 students have been reached through these talks
• One heritage community networking workshop was conducted
• 80+ applications have been received for the grants program
• 100 stakeholders have been mapped through the ongoing mapping process

Beyond these quantitative results, we have witnessed a deep and inspiring commitment across all sectors to the safeguarding, promotion, and sustainable use of local heritage as a driver for development.

The northern border of Mexico is extraordinarily rich and diverse. Its heritage spans marine and coastal landscapes, vast desert and sierra ecosystems, and vibrant cultural expressions rooted in centuries-old traditions. This diversity also includes significant industrial heritage: factories, railways, mining sites, and infrastructure that tell the story of the region’s economic and social transformations. Together, these tangible and intangible elements form a complex and layered cultural landscape.

Through our conversations with heritage practitioners, community leaders, and institutional actors, we have gained a deeper understanding not only of this richness, but also of the challenges that shape the region today. These include issues of preservation, resource allocation, security and the need to balance development with the protection of cultural identity.

We are excited to continue building on the strong collaborations established during this first phase. We remain deeply grateful for the generosity, hospitality, and openness we have encountered, which have been instrumental in reaching these important milestones.

In the coming months, we will expand our activities with a new series of online trainings focused on community engagement and economic development, tailored specifically to the context of the six northern border states and delivered in Spanish.

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The Heritage Management Organization (HERITΛGE) is pleased to announce the establishment of its Advisory Board, a new body  of respected professionals and cultural advocates, committed to preserving and advancing cultural heritage worldwide.

The Advisory Board is a dedicated leadership and networking platform that will actively support HERITΛGE’s mission. Its members will contribute through advocacy, fundraising and event initiatives, community building, and by bringing forward fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to strengthen the organization’s global work.

With diverse regional perspectives and professional backgrounds, this new body reflects HERITΛGE’s commitment to engaging the next generation of leaders for the cultural heritage sector.

We are delighted to welcome the inaugural members of the Advisory Board: Achile Tenkiang, Carmen Thiam, Dr Fafa Addo Boateng, Dr Pascal Gally, Lorenzo Olivi, Serge Kavege, Achilleas Stamatiadis, andTucci Ivowi.

As part of the Advisory Board, members will play an active role in co-organizing high-profile events, strengthening HERITΛGE’s global community, and contributing to initiatives that promote the sustainable management of cultural heritage. At the same time, the platform offers opportunities for professional growth, leadership development, and meaningful engagement with a global network of peers and sector leaders.

We look forward to working closely with our Advisory Board members as we continue to empower heritage professionals and communities around the world.

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From an activity by Red Rocks Rwanda, supported with one of our small grants for African heritage projets Copyright: Red Rocks Rwanda

HERITΛGE is proud to announce the launch of Heritage Initiatives Rwanda CBC (HIRWA), a new member of the HERITΛGE extended ecosystem and network in Rwanda.

In line with HERITΛGE’s founding principles, HIRWA is locally managed by a board, ensuring that decisions, priorities, and programmes are shaped by those closest to the country’s heritage and communities. The HIRWA board member are: Gregory Bakunzi, Alice Kamasoni, Cedrick Shema Kabagambe, and Eirini Oikonomidi.

HIRWA aspires to see Rwanda’s cultural heritage safeguarded, celebrated, and sustainably activated as a living source of knowledge, community identity, creativity, resilience, and inclusive economic development for present and future generations. The initiative brings together community engagement, research, education, training, and sustainable development approaches to support the protection and valorisation of heritage across the country. It will also advocate for heritage at local, national, and international levels, while providing policy advice and technical expertise to governments, intergovernmental organisations, and international partners.

The launch builds on HERITΛGE’s long-standing engagement across sub-Saharan Africa. Between 2023 and 2025, HERITΛGE delivered 30 workshops to 771 participants, signed 20 Memoranda of Understanding, and gathered more than 1,100 responses to its Mapping Capacity in Heritage Management survey across the continent. During the same period, HERITΛGE has been working in Africa since 2018. The organization has provided small grants to more than 70 heritage projects across the continent, having received over 2,600 applications for this support, reflecting both the scale of need and the growing demand for heritage capacity-building initiatives and funding across the region.

Heritage Initiatives Rwanda will operate as an independent, locally rooted organisation within the HERITΛGE network, drawing on more than a decade of capacity-building expertise across 38+ countries. As part of this wider ecosystem, some of its activities may also be presented under the Heritage Management Organization network identity.

“We believe heritage is strongest when communities themselves lead its stewardship and future direction. The establishment of Heritage Initiatives Rwanda reflects a shared commitment to locally rooted heritage management, community engagement, and sustainable development,” Eirini Oikonomidi, Project manager, Rwandan projects, noted on behalf of the organization. 

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Laas Geel Somaliland. Credit: Najeeb

By Pavlina Bafas

For more than three decades, Somaliland has functioned as a de facto state, maintaining relative peace, democratic governance, and its own institutions, despite lacking international recognition. Recent developments -most notably Israel’s recognition of Somaliland(1), have reignited discussions surrounding the right to self-determination and intensified regional and international responses. In reaction, a joint statement issued by more than twenty predominantly Middle Eastern and African states, together with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, rejected Israel’s recognition, citing its potential repercussions for peace and security in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea region, and the broader international order(2). While debates around recognition mainly focus on security, politics and economics, one area that receives far less attention is cultural heritage. Given the pronounced geopolitical implications of Somaliland’s secessionist tensions, why in this article do we examine it through the lens of its heritage?  

It is notable that much of the recent literature on the Somali political crisis relies on reductive assumptions that portray Somali society as culturally homogenous and uniquely driven by clan-based conflict. Such analyses overlook the historical and social complexities of Somali political reality. As some researchers argue(3), the notion of a “mono-culture” Somali identity is a myth constructed by outsiders, obscuring long-standing divisions—particularly between northern nomadic pastoralists and southern agro-pastoralists with distinct cultural, social, and linguistic structures.  In particular, Somaliland is home to a great range of cultural heritage assets, from prehistoric rock art sites to Islamic architecture, historic port towns like Berbera, and vibrant intangible heritage including poetry, music, and oral traditions(4). Besides cultural heritage, Somaliland counts numerous natural heritage sites and a rich wildlife like the famous Somali cheetahs(5).

Despite this wealth of heritage, Somaliland’s lack of international recognition has historically made formal global protection (such as UNESCO World Heritage listing) difficult, meaning national and local mechanisms have had to take the lead. Looking at an up-to-date picture of how heritage management works in Somaliland, we could recognize that the Somaliland governing authority has strengthened its cultural policies and institutional frameworks, even though many responsibilities are shared with local communities, NGOs, museums, and external partners(6).

Initially, Somaliland’s heritage management is not highly centralized in the classic western sense (with one dominant national body only), but there are formal government structures responsible for it such as the Department of Archaeology Protection and Indigenous Arts Promotion (under the Ministry of Trade and Tourism) that now leads much of the heritage policy, planning, conservation, and promotion work, including research and site protection initiatives. Working alongside this Department, the Horn Heritage Foundation, an NGO, assisted the Somaliland government in drafting new heritage legislation. More specifically, this Act incorporates key principles from major international agreements, particularly the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its Second Protocol, as well as the 1970 Convention aimed at preventing the illicit import, export, and transfer of ownership of cultural property(7).

Moreover, a separate Department of Culture supports broader cultural activities like music, theatre, and arts and is therefore responsible for most intangible heritage. Government policies include procedures to safeguard heritage during development projects. A major example is the $2 million heritage conservation and development project funded by the French Development Agency (AFD). This initiative focuses on protecting key archaeological sites like Laas Geel  — the most famous rock art complex, while building local capacity for heritage management, and integrating sustainable tourism as an economic driver(8). It is worth noticing that “no Agence Française de Développement (AFD, French Development Agency) activities are envisaged in Somalia in the short term, and no Treasury implements are now available to the country.  In the humanitarian field, France provided aid of €4.8 million in 2017, while Somaliland is the primary destination of our bilateral assistance to Somalia.”  (9) Another great project was the inauguration of the Somaliland National Museum in Hargeisa in July 2024, providing a central space for preservation, research, and public education(10, 11). This autonomous public service is evidence that the central Somali government is not involved in Somaliland’s heritage management. 

Regardless of the notable progress, particularly community empowerment and tourism development, obstacles still exist and are mostly related to institutional strength and international recognition. Guenther Wirth, president of Heritage Somaliland and working on Somaliland for almost three decades, provided us an overview of protected areas in Somaliland, a topic, as he states, remains difficult to define within the country’s current context. At the governmental level, responsibility for such areas is distributed across several institutions (three Ministries). While each of these bodies plays a role in matters related to conservation, protected areas have not emerged as a clear national priority. This situation is further complicated by limited institutional capacity, which constrains effective administration and management. Also, in certain cases, local communities or NGOs have taken an interest in preserving specific sites. Despite these efforts, it is widely believed that only a few of these areas benefit from consistent management, adequate protection, or sustained oversight(12).

Recognition has the potential to transform Somaliland’s heritage management system into one that is both legally empowered and internationally connected, but this transformation would not be automatic. Recognition would allow Somaliland to formally engage with UNESCO, ICOMOS, ICCROM, and other global heritage bodies, enabling access to training, expertise, and international standards. It would also increase opportunities for research collaboration and technical conservation support. However, it’s important how effectively Somaliland strengthens its domestic institutions, allocates resources, and builds professional capacity. Also, it provides the tools and access, but meaningful transformation requires political commitment and long-term planning. Additionally, as Somaliland is placed in a high position, concerning illegal trafficking (i.e. cheetahs), the intervention of international bodies could enhance the combat of this phenomenon. 

The potential benefits are significant. Recognition could unlock international funding, increase visibility for Somaliland’s heritage sites, and support sustainable cultural tourism. It would also give Somaliland greater control over how its history and identity are represented globally. However, recognition also carries risks. Increased tourism and international attention may place pressure on fragile sites, while donor-driven agendas could overshadow local values and priorities. There is also a risk that heritage management could become overly centralized or technocratic, sidelining community-based traditions and intangible heritage. Balancing economic opportunities with cultural integrity would therefore be essential. 

Last but not least, international recognition of Somaliland would also be shaped by significant geopolitical and internal political risks that directly affect cultural heritage management. Regionally, recognition could heighten tensions with Somalia and neighboring states, potentially politicizing heritage sites as symbols of sovereignty rather than shared history. Geopolitical rivalries in the Horn of Africa may influence funding priorities and international engagement, making heritage support uneven or strategically driven. Internally, recognition could shift political power dynamics, leading to competition over control of heritage institutions, resources, and narratives. If not carefully managed, these pressures could undermine inclusive, community-based heritage protection and instead turn cultural heritage into a contested political tool. 

* Pavlina Bafas is an early-career researcher collaborating with the Heritage Management Organization (HERITΛGE). Her academic interests focus on geopolitics, energy, and cultural diplomacy.

** The views and opinions expressed in Opinion Pieces featured on the HERITΛGE website, including this article, are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Heritage Management Organization (HERITΛGE), its partners, or affiliated institutions.

Footnotes

1. BBC Somali (30 Dec. 2025) Why Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state is controversial . https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c14v4kmg275o 
2. Agrican Security Analysis. (28 Dec. 2025) Implications of Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland’s Independence. https://www.africansecurityanalysis.com/reports/implications-of-israel-s-recognition-of-somaliland-s-independence 
3. Mukhtar, M. H. (1996). The plight of the Agro‐pastoral society of Somalia. Review of African Political Economy, 23(70), 543–553. https://doi.org/10.1080/ 03056249608704222 
4. Ahmed, I. I., & Green, R. H. (1999). The Heritage of War and State Collapse in Somalia and Somaliland: Local-Level Effects, External Interventions and Reconstruction. Third World Quarterly, 20(1), 113–127. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3993185 
5. Guenther Wirth, pers. com., March 2026
6. Mohamed H. Jama (Former Deputy Area Manager and Head of Project at Welthungerhilfe. Former Consultant for Early Warning Technical Advisor at Nordic International Support foundation Seconded to National Disaster Preparedness and Food Reserve Authority , pers. com., March 2026 
7. Somaliland’s Heritage Law.   https://www.hornheritage.org/the-somaliland-heritage-law/  
8. Protection and promotion of Somaliland’s archaeological heritage. (Nov. 2024) https://www.expertisefrance.fr/en/projects/protection-and-promotion-somalilands-archaeological-heritage 
9. https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/information-by-country/somalia/france-and-somalia (Accessed 20 Apr. 2026)
10.  Inauguration of the Somaliland National Museum: Celebrating Cultural Heritage and National Pride (Jun. 2024) https://somalilandnation.com/2024/06/29/inauguration-of-the-somaliland-national-museum-celebrating-cultural-heritage-and-national-pride/ 
11. https://somalilandcentral.com/museum/
12.  Guenther Wirth, pers. com., March 2026

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A team of women working for the creation of the Imanzi Heritage Village In Rwanda. The project has received a small grant from our HerMaP Africa program.

On Wednesday 22 April 2026, HERITΛGE hosted the 8th Online Network Convening of the HerMaP Africa programme, bringing together grantees, partners, and supporters for a dynamic two-hour online session focused on exchange, reflection, and collaboration. Held via Zoom, the convening welcomed over 40 active participants.

The session opened with welcoming remarks from Richard A. Brown, followed by reflections from Dr. Evangelos Kyriakidis, who noted that while this marked the final convening in the current series, further gatherings are already being planned for later in the year. Coordination efforts will continue through the HERITΛGE networking task force, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to sustained community-building.

At the heart of the convening were project presentations from grantees across Africa. 12 invited projects, from Kenya, Rwanda, and Sourth Africa, presented their work. The presentations offered a compelling snapshot of the diversity and ambition of initiatives supported through HerMaP Africa and HERITΛGE’s fiscal sponsorship model.

Projects ranged from the establishment of cultural heritage centres in Kenya and Namibia to community museums and agro-tourism initiatives in Rwanda, as well as efforts to revitalise rural communities through sustainable heritage tourism. Additional presentations highlighted initiatives such as the creation of a cultural space in the Ndiyona Constituency in Namibia and the Pan African Solidarity School (PASS) in Kenya, expanding the programme’s reach into education, cultural exchange, and grassroots capacity building.

Several Rwandan projects showcased a strong focus on cultural infrastructure and innovation, including the upgrading of the Rwanda Art Museum, the development of cultural hiking trails in Nyanza, and the creation of studios dedicated to preserving performance traditions.

Across presentations, a shared emphasis emerged: the importance of linking heritage preservation with community development, tourism, and local economic resilience. Many projects demonstrated how heritage can serve not only as a cultural asset but also as a driver of sustainable livelihoods and social cohesion.

The session concluded with an open group discussion, allowing participants to exchange feedback, identify common challenges, and explore opportunities for collaboration.

As HerMaP Africa continues to evolve, convenings like this remain central to HERITΛGE’s approach: supporting projects not only through funding, but by fostering connection, shared learning, and collective impact across the continent.

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Academic Days 2026 at UABC. Photos: Eliott Blanco

HERITΛGE co-organized the Academic Days 2026: Heritage in Action: Social Innovation and Cultural Development from the Community, held from March 17–20, 2026 at the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC).

The event formed part of HerMaP Mexico and was developed with partners at UABC. It brought together students, researchers, cultural practitioners, and community actors to explore the role of cultural heritage as a driver of social innovation and community development.

The Academic Day provided a dynamic platform for reflection, dialogue, and the exchange of experiences through a series of conferences, workshops, and academic activities. Discussions focused on how cultural heritage can contribute to community-based development, strengthen local identities, and support innovative social initiatives.

Denise Navarro, HerMaP Mexico Program Manager at HERITΛGE, participated in the event, contributing to conversations on community-centered approaches to heritage management and the importance of linking academic knowledge with practical applications.

As a co-organizer, HERITΛGE contributed to shaping the academic program and facilitating dialogue between international expertise and local perspectives. The organization’s involvement through HerMaP Mexico reflects its commitment to building bridges between academia and the cultural heritage sector.

HERITΛGE extends its gratitude to the Master’s Program in Social Projects UABC, the Faculty of Administrative and Social Sciences UABC, and the Faculty of Arts UABC Ensenada for hosting and co-organizing the event. HERITΛGE also thanks Professor [Name] for the invitation and collaboration.

Advancing the HerMaP Mexico Initiative

The Academic Days forms part of the broader activities of HerMaP Mexico, a multi-year initiative led by HERITΛGE. The program aims to strengthen cultural heritage management across Mexico’s northern border states through training, sector mapping, networking, and support for community-led projects.

As part of this initiative, HerMaP Mexico is currently accepting applications for grants supporting cultural heritage projects in the region, offering funding to organizations, collectives, and individuals working to protect and promote local heritage.

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