Tag Archives: africa grants
Connecting Voices, Sharing Progress: the 8th HerMaP Africa Network Convening
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.
Celebrating Progress: The Kayonza Cultural Heritage Center Nears Completion
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:
-
Inyambo cattle demonstrations with traditional herders
-
Interactive craft workshops led by local cooperatives
-
Cultural storytelling evenings around communal fires
-
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.