HERITΛGE successfully delivered a second Oral History Workshop in Mexico, further advancing the implementation of the HerMaP Mexico initiative. The workshop took place from March 11–13, 2026 in Saltillo, Coahuila, bringing together 17 participants interested in strengthening their skills in working with memory and cultural heritage.

Hosted in the capital city of Coahuila, the workshop was made possible through the collaboration of three key institutions dedicated to the preservation of memory: the General Archive of the State of Coahuila, the Municipal Archive of Saltillo, and the Archive for Memory of Universidad Iberoamericana.

The training focused on oral history as a tool for documenting collective memory and intangible cultural heritage, equipping participants with both conceptual understanding and practical methodologies. It was led by Dr. Eleni Stefanou and Denise Navarro. 

Participants explored:

• The relationship between oral history, memory, and heritage
• The design and implementation of interviews
• Ethical considerations in working with testimonies
• The application of oral history in cultural heritage projects

The group brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds, including cultural practitioners, researchers, and professionals engaged in heritage-related initiatives.

The workshop reflects the strong collaborative framework that underpins HerMaP Mexico, which works in close partnership with local institutions to ensure that training activities are grounded in local realities and needs.

HERITΛGE extends its sincere thanks to the host institutions for opening their spaces and supporting this initiative, as well as to the Ministry of Culture of the State of Coahuila for its valuable role in promoting and facilitating the workshop.

We also recognize the commitment and active participation of all attendees, whose willingness to share experiences enriched the learning environment.

This workshop is part of a broader series of training activities under HerMaP Mexico, aimed at strengthening cultural heritage management across Mexico’s northern border states.

By creating spaces for learning, exchange, and collaboration, HERITΛGE continues to support local actors in documenting, preserving, and activating cultural heritage as a resource for community identity and sustainable development.

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From 26 January to 8 February 2026, the Heritage Management Organization (HERITΛGE) held the first edition of its Winter School on Engaging Communities in Cultural Heritage, an intensive online training programme designed for heritage professionals seeking a deeper understanding of participatory approaches to heritage management.

The new Winter School builds on HERITΛGE’s well-established training formats, complementing its introductory 3-6 day workshops and the immersive summer field school. Together, these programmes form a progressive training pathway that allows professionals to engage with community-centred heritage practices at different levels and formats.

As Foteini Giannoulidi, head of HERITΛGE’s Educational Department, explains:

“Our proudly launched Winter School serves as an intermediate training program between our workshops and our intensive Summer Field School. It is designed for heritage managers who seek a profound approach to community engagement in a remote format, offering the opportunity to complete an extensive, in-depth training program.”

Community engagement has become one of the most dynamic and transformative areas in heritage management. Around the world, museums, archives, cultural institutions, and local organizations increasingly recognize that meaningful engagement cannot rely on generic “toolkits.”

Sustainable and ethical collaboration requires sensitivity to local contexts, awareness of community values, and approaches grounded in shared authority and co-creation.

The Winter School embraced this perspective, offering a research-led and community-centred framework shaped by HERITΛGE’s extensive practical experience across Europe, Africa, and other regions.

Participants explored both conceptual and practical aspects of community engagement, including principles and ethics of participatory heritage work, applied ethnography and long-distance interviewing, digital documentation of personal and material heritage, collaborative storytelling and interpretive planning, and the role of festivals, artistic practices, and community initiatives as platforms for participation and representation.

A Truly Global Cohort

The first edition of the Winter School brought together 20 participants from 16 countries across four continents — Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America.

This international mix created a rich learning environment in which participants shared experiences from diverse heritage contexts, institutions, and communities.

The programme was taught by HERITΛGE’s Dr Aris Anagnostopoulos and Dr Lena Stefanou with contributions from Dr Evangelos Kyriakidis, Director of HERITΛGE.

Participants also benefited from insights from our keynote speaker, Tracii Kwaai, a sixth-generation Kalk Bay fisher child from South Africa. Tracey’s Fisher Child project has received one of our Small Grants for African Heritage. Tracii is a story keeper, ocean historian, and social and ecological activist. Her work explores belonging and community through the voices of local fisher and other displaced Kalk Bay communities.

In addition, several heritage professionals who had previously participated in HERITΛGE training programmes joined the Winter School as interviewees, sharing their experiences of applying participatory methods in their own work. These included:

• Anaclet Karangwa, Founder and Executive Director of IVOMO, Rwanda
• Vitalice Ochieng, Senior Programme Manager at the Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health (TICAH), Kenya
• Dr Habab Idriss Ahmed, Senior Antiquities Inspector at the National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums, Sudan
• Mohammed Ali Mwenje, Cultural Heritage Practitioner at the Lamu World Heritage Site and Conservation Office / National Museums of Kenya, Kenya

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The first HerMaP Mexico training workshop for heritage managers has been successfully completed. The Oral History Workshop took place in person from March 4–6 in Julimes, Chihuahua. The initiative’s first in-person workshop brought together 23 participants from 12 municipalities across the state of Chihuahua, including 11 women. Participants also represented four Indigenous groups, including migrants from other Mexican states. The group included community promoters, cultural practitioners, researchers, and heritage professionals working on local heritage initiatives.

The workshop was led by Denise Navarro, Mexico Programs Manager at HERITΛGE.

The training focused on how to document community memories and intangible cultural heritage through oral history. Participants were introduced to key conceptual and methodological tools, including how to design interview guides, ethical considerations in the use of testimonies, and the practical application of oral history in cultural heritage projects.

Through this workshop, participants strengthened their capacity to document community knowledge, lived experiences, and cultural practices, contributing to the preservation of local heritage and collective memory.

This workshop marks the first training activity of the HerMaP Mexico initiative, which aims to strengthen cultural heritage management in Mexico’s northern border states. The program works with local actors through training, sector mapping, networking, and grants for community-led heritage projects.

The HERITΛGE team would like to thank Centro INAH Chihuahua and Secretaría de Cultura de Chihuahua  for helping organize the workshop and the Municipality of Julimes for hosting us in its facilities.

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On 25 February 2026, HERITΛGE hosted the seventh online Network Convening for recipients of the Small Grants for African Heritage Projects, bringing together grantees, heritage professionals, members of the re-granting committee, and other partners supporting heritage initiatives across the continent.

The grants initiative is part of HerMaP Africa, HERITΛGE’s programme to strengthen heritage management capacity across the continent, funded by the Mellon Foundation. Through a series of small grants, the programme supports locally led heritage initiatives and fosters a growing network of heritage practitioners across Africa.

HERITΛGE has organised a series of grantee convenings, part of an ongoing effort to connect, support, and strengthen the network of African heritage practitioners funded through the grants programme. The seventh convening brought together participants from 30 funded and fiscally sponsored projects across Africa for two hours of presentations and discussion.

A Guest Address from the National Civil Rights Museum

Dr. Russell Wigginton of the National Civil Rights Museum

The session opened with welcoming remarks from Richard A. Brown, Head of Grants and Partnerships at HERITΛGE, who also introduced the guest of honour, Dr. Russell Wigginton, President of the National Civil Rights Museum.

Dr. Wigginton presented the history and mission of the museum, a complex of historic buildings and exhibitions in Memphis that traces the story of the civil rights movement in the United States from the 17th century to the present day. His presentation highlighted the museum’s role not only as a site of remembrance but also as a space for education, dialogue, and social engagement.

The presentation offered valuable perspectives for the participating African heritage professionals, many of whom are working on projects that similarly connect heritage preservation, community memory, and social history.

Grantees Present Heritage Projects from Across Africa

Following the keynote presentation, grantees presented their projects in a series of short presentations designed to showcase the diversity of initiatives supported through the programme.

Five projects were presented during the session:

• Phelile Chima (Zambia) — The Preservation and Promotion of Traditional Zambian Barkcloth
• Agness Onna Gidna (Tanzania) — Empowering Community Conservation for Sustainable Development at Engaruka Heritage Site
• Ahlam Ahmed Mohamed Othman (Egypt) — Preserving Bedouin Oral Literature
• Abel Assefa Girmay (Ethiopia) — Standardization, Documentation and Digitalization of Museum Collections for Effective Heritage Management
• Wacelia Marcelino Zacarias Zualo (Mozambique) — Weaving Resilience: Preserving Carpet Weaving and Cultural Knowledge in Palma, Cabo Delgado

As in previous convenings, presenters were given five minutes each to introduce their work, using a timer to ensure all speakers stayed within the allotted time. Following the presentations, participants engaged in an open question-and-answer discussion.

Several projects generated particular interest among the audience. Participants asked numerous questions about the traditional uses and cultural significance of Zambian barkcloth, while Ahlam Ahmed Mohamed Othman shared a video documenting Bedouin oral literature, providing a vivid glimpse into the storytelling traditions her project is working to preserve.

Strengthening a Network of Heritage Practitioners

As the session drew to a close, the team encouraged grantees to remain connected and continue sharing updates, experiences, and lessons learned.

Over the past two years, the convenings have become an important platform for mutual learning, peer support, and collaboration among heritage professionals working in diverse cultural contexts across Africa.

Even as the grant cycle concludes, HERITΛGE hopes that the relationships built through these sessions will continue to grow, ensuring that the community of African heritage practitioners supported through the programme remains active, collaborative, and engaged.

Coming up next: A Convening of our Fiscally Sponsored  project grantees.

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Dr. Nikolas Sarris, a senior book and paper conservator, with our trainees in Iraq

HERITΛGE delivered an in-person workshop in Bagdad for the Preservation of Libraries and Archives in Iraq project. The project is realised in cooperation with The Academic Research Institute in Iraq (TARII) and supported by a grant from the American Embassy in Iraq. 

It aims to strengthen the capacity of custodians of libraries and archives in Iraq and ensure the trainees can independently handle the development and management of preventive conservation projects for their institutions.

The training forms part of HERITΛGE’s broader commitment to strengthening cultural heritage resilience in regions affected by conflict and environmental pressures.

The workshop, held from 18-29 January, was delivered by  Mohammad al-Mimar, Nil Baydar, Maja Kominko, Nikolas Sarris, in cooperation with the Iraq National Library and Archive. It provided instruction in Preventive Conservation, Project Development, Project Management and Fundraising .

Attended by 30 participants, the training introduced key concepts including bookbinding components and terminology, handling of archival materials, causes of paper and book deterioration, environmental control in libraries and archives, and first-aid conservation for paper artefacts.

Participants also explored environmental monitoring and data analysis, emerging environmental challenges, and risk management strategies through practical exercises. Depending on the module, trainees worked individually or in small groups of three to four participants to apply their learning.

Hands-on sessions were complemented by three study visits, one of which was to the private archive of Ahmad Sousa and another to the Imam al Husayn Shrine in Karballa, designed to showcase the preservation issues in a private archive and a religious library respectively. 

A third visit took the trainees to the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Samarra, where they had the opportunity to explore challenges in preservation, especially dealing with previous heavy-handed restorations, and to discuss international conservation standards and practices.

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We are very happy to announce a brand new call for grants for heritage projects in Mexico. Our new call for proposals is aimed at organizations, groups, and individuals working with cultural heritage in northern Mexico, in the states of Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Sonora and Tamaulipas.

The grants are part of the HerMaP-Mexico, an initiative to strengthen cultural heritage management and networks in northern Mexico. They will fund projects that focus on the protection of and/or promotion of local heritage for socio-economic development across the Mexico’s six northern border states.

All projects must clearly focus on the protection, safeguarding, strengthening, and/or promotion of local heritage, from approaches that recognize its cultural, social, and community value.

There are three main criteria for selecting proposals under this program:

• Sustainability- Priority will be given to projects that generate a lasting impact and whose positive effects extend beyond the support period.
• Capacity building and network strengthening – Projects that contribute to strengthening local capacities and establishing or consolidating links with similar organizations within heritage management networks will be encouraged. 
• Concrete and Community Impact – Priority will be given to proposals that present clear, measurable, and verifiable results in terms of heritage protection and direct benefits for local communities. Each project must define specific indicators of the expected impact.

This call for proposals is the first phase of the selection process. Following an initial review, the shortlisted projects will be invited to submit an expanded and more detailed proposal. These complete proposals will be evaluated by the HerMaP Mexico program’s Support Committee.

The deadline for submitting proposals for this first phase is April 15, 2026. The final selection of supported projects will be announced no later than July 2026. 

Find out more and apply here.

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By Greg Bakunzi | Co-Founder, Red Rocks Rwanda

We’re thrilled to share exciting updates from the heart of Kayonza, where our vision for a vibrant Cultural Heritage Center is now becoming a reality. What began as a dream to blend culture, conservation, and community has now taken solid form, with construction already 70% complete.

Since its founding, Red Rocks Rwanda (RRR) has stood for one big idea: that cultural tourism can be a force for community development. From our home in Musanze to the open plains of the Eastern Province, our work continues to prove that when people take pride in their heritage, they also protect the land that sustains them.

Building with Heart and Heritage

The new Kayonza Center beautifully combines modern design with traditional inspiration. Think of hybrid thatch and metal roofs echoing ancestral homes, handwoven sisal wall art, and furnishings crafted from reclaimed local wood. Each detail tells a story. Even as builders complete the last phases of interior work, artisans are already using finished spaces for craft workshops and storytelling sessions.

Overcoming Challenges with Innovation

No journey is without obstacles. Along the way, we’ve had to navigate strict zoning and environmental regulations, especially in flood-prone areas. But rather than slow us down, these challenges inspired innovation. Working closely with REMA (Rwanda Environment Management Authority), we designed elevated foundations and permeable pavements that protect both our buildings and the environment.

These collaborative solutions turned challenges into opportunities, and something wonderful happened. Community participation grew stronger than ever. Local leaders, once cautious, are now some of our most enthusiastic advocates.

Expanding Our Reach

What started as one cultural center is now inspiring a network of seven connected sites around Kayonza. Each will focus on preserving pastoral traditions and fostering eco-tourism experiences like guided Inyambo cattle sessions, heritage walks, and community storytelling circles.

The Kayonza site is now the anchor for seven interconnected cultural locations, each celebrating Rwanda’s rich pastoral traditions. Visitors will soon enjoy experiences like:

1. Inyambo cattle demonstrations with traditional herders

2. Interactive craft workshops led by local cooperatives

3. Cultural storytelling evenings around communal fires

4. Agro-tourism and heritage trails connecting culture with conservation

Looking Ahead

The Kayonza Cultural Heritage Center isn’t just a construction project; it’s a growing movement for cultural preservation and sustainable livelihoods. Here’s what’s next:

• Creating 200 new jobs for youth and women by 2026

• Launching vocational training in crafts, hospitality, and eco-agriculture

• Developing digital archives to safeguard Rwanda’s herding and farming heritage

• Linking Kayonza cultural tours with Akagera safaris, opening new tourism opportunities

A Call to Our Supporters

At 80% completion, we’re closer than ever to our goal, but there’s still more work ahead. We extend heartfelt gratitude to our partners, especially the Mellon Foundation and The Heritage Management Organization, whose belief in our mission keeps us moving forward.

We invite you, friends, donors, and cultural enthusiasts, to be part of this next chapter. Your continued support helps us preserve Rwanda’s living heritage while creating lasting opportunities for the communities that call it home.

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From 5th to 11th November 2025, HERITΛGE delivered a new five-day online training course on Community Tourism Planning and Development. Led by Tim Healing, a specialist in project management and community-based tourism, the course brought together 30 participants from 18 countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe, working across 34 capacity-building cases. The training introduced practical approaches to developing tourism initiatives that support local communities, promote cultural exchange, and retain income within local economies.

The course was designed as an interactive programme, combining presentations, discussions, and group exercises. Participants collaborated throughout the week, sharing experiences and applying learning through practical activities such as designing cultural trips, developing project proposals, and creating action plans to address challenges in community tourism management.

Course Structure

Day 1 introduced community-based tourism as a people-centred approach to sustainable development. Using a case study from Kazakhstan, participants explored how local assets can be developed into tourism products while ensuring fair benefit sharing. Group exercises focused on identifying risks, building partnerships, and setting clear goals aligned with community priorities.

Day 2 focused on authentic tourism products and community-led branding. Participants discussed storytelling, local values, and low-cost marketing strategies, alongside capacity building in hospitality and communication, with attention to avoiding the commodification of cultural heritage.

Day 3 examined land rights and ethical cultural tourism. Through global case studies, participants explored community ownership, informed consent, and fair benefit sharing, as well as homestays, guesthouses, and eco-lodges as models for cultural exchange and local income generation.

Day 4 centred on visitor experience and tourism operations, highlighting culinary heritage, cultural sensitivity, and hospitality standards. A case study exercise addressed guiding, cross-cultural communication, hygiene, emergency preparedness, and responsible itinerary design.

Day 5 focused on long-term sustainability and community enterprise. Participants explored skills development, financial planning, and community cooperatives as tools for strengthening governance and ensuring tourism income remains within communities, concluding with group presentations on international case studies. These case studies included a Community-Based Tourism Initiative in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Vietnam, and Eco-Tourism Initiative at Daintree Rainforest, Australia.

Throughout the course, participants developed projects addressing diverse contexts, including heritage routes, eco-tourism initiatives, community museums, cultural landscapes, and heritage-based livelihood programmes. By the end of the training, participants had strengthened their understanding of community tourism as a tool for sustainable development, cultural preservation, and local economic empowerment, and gained practical skills to plan and manage tourism initiatives that place communities at the centre.

Reflecting on the programme, Tim Healing highlighted the strength of the group and their engagement:

“I couldn’t have asked for a better group. Their openness, collaboration, and eagerness to learn made the five days both productive and inspiring. The real highlight was the collective wisdom in the room and the willingness to share experiences and ideas.”

Find more information about HERITΛGE’s workshops here or follow us on Facebook, Twitter / X, LinkedIn or Instagram.

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A two-week specialised training course in document and archive preservation and management is currently underway at the National Library of Iraq. The training aims to strengthen the scientific and professional capacities of librarians and archivists, with a particular focus on preventive conservation and internationally recognised standards for the care and management of documentary heritage.

The course is delivered by an international team of experts, led by HERITΛGE’s Nicholas Saris and Maja Kominko. Through a combination of lectures and applied training, participants are introduced to practical conservation methodologies adapted to the Iraqi context.

Beyond technical training, the programme places strong emphasis on sustainability and institutional empowerment. Participants will develop and implement preservation projects within their respective institutions, supported by mentoring from the project team. The initiative also seeks to foster a national professional network, facilitating long-term knowledge exchange and cooperation among custodians of Iraq’s documentary heritage.

Through this project, HERITΛGE and its partners reaffirm their commitment to supporting the National Library and Archives of Iraq in its leading role in safeguarding the country’s documentary collections and strengthening the capacities of heritage professionals to preserve Iraq’s national memory for future generations.

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Anthony Bou Kabalan Geagea | Conservation Architect | DGA Inventory Officer, Lebanon

Which workshops did you attend?

I participated in the summer school program “Digital Tools for Cultural Heritage Management, 2025” focused on QGIS, laser scanning, and photogrammetry; a combination of tools essential for heritage documentation and spatial data analysis. When I first enrolled, I expected to gain technical knowledge and practical skills. What I didn’t expect was how transformative the experience would be, not only for my projects but also for my personal and professional growth.

Was the training an opportunity to enhance your connection with your peers?

Absolutely. One of the most enriching aspects of the program was the diversity of its participants. Coming from different disciplines and countries, we brought varied perspectives to the table, fostering dynamic discussions and collaborative learning. These interactions extended well beyond the classroom and helped create a network of peers with whom I continue to exchange ideas and expertise.

Has the training contributed towards the improvement of your career?

Without a doubt, the training was exceptionally well designed and directly aligned with the needs of my field. As someone working in heritage documentation, the sessions on GIS tools, 3D modeling, and field-based data collection were immediately applicable to my day-to-day responsibilities. The curriculum struck an effective balance between theoretical foundations and hands-on practice, strengthening my professional profile and deepening my technical expertise.

The skills and knowledge I gained through the summer school have been especially valuable in my current role as Inventory Officer at the Directorate General of Antiquities (DGA) in Lebanon. In this position, I support the research and integration of geographic data and heritage descriptions into a comprehensive geospatial inventory of endangered sites in South Lebanon, many of which are currently at risk due to the ongoing war in the region. The use of QGIS, central to both the training and my present work, plays a crucial role in enabling the DGA to maintain an up-to-date, accurate, and accessible database of the region’s vulnerable cultural heritage assets.

Do you feel that your ability to perform relevant tasks has improved?

Yes. My ability to handle spatial data, conduct field surveys, and perform digital documentation tasks has improved significantly. Thanks to the course, I now confidently apply advanced QGIS techniques and photogrammetric workflows in my professional practice. What made this particularly impactful was the dedication of Dr. Cornelis, whose passion and continuous availability ensured that every participant gained clarity and support throughout the entire program.

Following the completion of the training, has your project benefited? How?

My current work involves documenting and managing cultural heritage assets using digital tools and spatial analysis. Since completing the training, the improvements in my workflow have been substantial.

• Field sites that were once captured using basic documentation methods are now rendered with much higher precision.
• The enhanced accuracy and detail have improved analysis, interpretation, and communication with stakeholders.
• Whether for internal reports, presentations, or long-term archiving, the quality of my project outputs has increased noticeably.

This training has directly strengthened the reliability and depth of the heritage documentation work I produce, ultimately benefiting the organizations and communities that depend on this data.

Would you recommend this training to others?

I totally recommend this program to heritage professionals, archaeologists, and anyone involved in spatial analysis or digital documentation. The training is rigorous, practical, and deeply relevant, offering not just technical skills but also a supportive and inspiring learning community. It is a meaningful opportunity to grow both professionally and personally while contributing to the preservation and understanding of our shared cultural heritage.

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