HERITΛGE Awards Over $333,000 in New Grants to Empower African Communities Through Heritage Preservation

The Heritage Management Organization (HERITΛGE) announced the second round of recipients for its HerMaP Africa small grants program. This initiative, generously supported by the Mellon Foundation’s Humanities in Place program, empowers organizations, groups, and individuals working with African heritage.

Funding for Local Projects with Lasting Impact

A total of $333,000 was awarded to 26 projects across 17 African nations. These projects focus on both the protection and promotion of local cultural and natural heritage, aiming to contribute to the socio-economic development of communities. This builds upon the initial $220,000 awarded in the first round earlier this year, bringing the program total to over $550,000. By year’s end, HERITΛGE expects to award a total of $1 million through the HerMaP Africa program.

Unlocking Potential, Empowering Communities

“We are extremely pleased to announce this second round of small grant awards for African projects. We are already seeing what the scheme is doing to unlock the potential of heritage in Africa and make a difference for the development of local communities through the work undertaken by the first 19 grantees,” said HERITΛGE Director, Dr. Evangelos Kyriakidis. “Heritage has the ability to empower and we are already seeing local communities using our grants, in partnership with local organizations, to support sustainable development and safeguard local heritage for generations to come.”

A Diverse Range of Projects

The newly approved grants encompass projects from Algeria to Zambia, highlighting the program’s broad reach across the continent. Projects receiving funding address a variety of heritage preservation needs.

Rigorous Selection Process

HERITΛGE emphasizes the long-term impact of funded projects. To be considered, projects must demonstrate:

• Measurable results in heritage protection and community benefit
• Initiatives that build capacity and strengthen local skills
• Development of networks and lasting impact within communities

Applications for the next round of HerMaP Africa small grants are now open. Organizations and individuals passionate about African heritage preservation are encouraged to visit the HERITΛGE website (https://heritagemanagement.org/call-for-applications-small-grants-for-african-heritage-projects/) for more information and application details.