Activity 979

Empowering
Youth
for Heritage
10 YEARS OF
THE WORLD
HERITAGE
VOLUNTEERS
INITIATIVE
NIO MUN
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PA
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NDIAL •
WORLD H
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United Nations World Sustainable

Educational, Scientific and Heritage Development
Cultural Organization Convention Goals
1
Empowering
Youth
for Heritage
10 YEARS OF
THE WORLD
HERITAGE
VOLUNTEERS
INITIATIVE
NIO MUN
MO D
RI
T
IA
PA
L
•
NDIAL •
WORLD H
MO
E
IT
E
R
AG I
N
E O
•
PATRIM
United Nations World Sustainable

Educational, Scientific and Heritage Development
Cultural Organization Convention Goals
P u b l i s h e d in 2020 by th e United Na tions Ed uc ati on al , Sc i en ti f i c an d Cul tural Organ i zati on
7, p l a ce d e Fonten oy, 75352 Pa ris 07 SP, Fran ce
© U N E S CO, 2020
I SB N : 978- 92-3-10038 3-7
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l i ce n ce ( h ttp: //crea tivecom m ons.org /licen ses/by- sa/3 .0/ i go). By usi n g th e con ten t of th i s p ub l i c ati on , t h e
u s e rs a cce p t to be boun d by th e term s of use of th e UN ESCO Op en Access R ep osi tor y (h ttp : //www.un e s co.
o rg/o p e n -a ccess/term s-use - ccbysa - en).
T h e d e s i gn a tions em ployed a n d th e presen tati on of materi al th rough out th i s p ub l i c ati on d o n ot i mp l y t h e

ex p re s s i o n of a ny opinion w ha tsoever on th e par t of UN ESCO con cern i n g th e l egal status of any count r y,
te rri to r y, c ity or a rea or of its a uth orities, or con cern i n g th e d el i mi tati on of i ts f ron ti ers or b oun d ari es.
T h e i d ea s a n d opinions expressed in this p ub l i c ati on are th ose of th e auth ors; th ey are n ot n ecessari l y th o s e
o f U N E S CO a n d do n ot com m it th e O rg a ni zati on .
T h e co py ri g hts of th e ph otos a n d im a g es p resen ted i n th i s H an d b ook are i n d i c ated b el ow ea ch i ma ge.
Au t h o r Ch an tal Con n augh ton , U N ESCO

Lea d re s ea rch er Fran cesco Vol p i n i
In d e p e n d e nt resea rch er for CC IVS R i ta Al b uq uerq ue
Wo rl d H e ri ta g e Volunteers Initia tive coordi n ati n g par tn ers
Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS)

Europ ean H eri ta ge Vol un teers as a b ran ch of Op en H ouses
Better Worl d
U N ESCO World Herita g e Centre coordina ti on
Petya Totch arova

I n es Yousf i
Praval i Van geti
Cove r d e s i g n L a eti ti a Sauva get
G ra p h i c s Ph i l i p p e L auby / L a eti ti a Sauva get
Pro o f rea d i n g a n d Copy- editin g Jul i e Wi cken d en
Cove r p h o to Mosi - oa-Tunya / Vi c tori a Fal l s © Fran cesco Vol p i n i / CCIVS
Ima ge s marked w ith a n a sterisk (*) do n ot fal l un d er th e CC- BY-SA l i cen ce an d may n ot b e used or
re p ro d u ce d w ith out th e prior perm ission of th e copy ri gh t h ol d ers.
T h i s b o o k is publish ed w ith th e g en erous sup p or t of th e Govern m en t of H un gar y, an d th e organ i zati ons

Be tte r Wo rld a n d Europea n Herita g e Volun teers.
Wi t h s p e c i a l tha nks to a ll th e volunteer o rgan i zati on s, l oc al an d i n tern ati on al vol un teers an d l oc al

co mmu ni t ies w h o have pa r ticipa ted in a n d sup p or ted th ese p rojec ts.
2
Mo s i- o a Tu n y a / Vi cto ri a Fa l l s w a s th e f i rst p ro je ct o f th e Wo rld He ri ta g e Vo lunte ers
I nitiative to ta ke p la ce i n so u t h e rn Af ri ca , i n 2009. All a cti o n ca m p o rg a ni za ti on s
in th e re g i o n a n d b e y o n d h a d resp o n d e d to th e ca ll o f th e Za m b i a n h o st to m ake
it a big s u cce ss. A m o n g p a rt i c i p ants f ro m Bo tswa n a , Ke nya , Le so th o, So uth Af ri ca,
Tanzania, U g a n d a a n d Zi m b a b w e we re two yo un g M a la wi a n vo lunte e rs, a wo m an
an d a m a n . S u p p o rte d a n d fu n de d b y th e i r o rg a ni za ti o n b a ck h o m e , th e y were
th e re as p a rt o f a n exch a n g e b ase d o n th e fo un d i n g IVS p ri n ci p le o f re ci p ro cit y,
late r th a t su m m e r h o st i n g t w o vo lunte e rs f ro m Za m b i a a t th e n a tura l Wo rld
H e ritage S i te o f La ke M a la w i . W h e n I to o k th e p i cture − CCIVS h a d just b o ugh t
its f irs t di g i ta l ca m e ra − t h e y h ad a rri ve d a f te r two d a ys o f tra ve lli n g b y b us f rom
Blantyre , b u t t h e i r fa ce s sh o w e d n o si g n o f ti re d n e ss. Sta n d i n g i n f ro nt o f th e fa l l s ,
wh e re th e y w o u ld w o rk fo r t w o we e ks to se cure th e p a ths a n d se nsi ti ze lo cal s
an d to uri st s a b o u t t h e p re se r va t i o n o f Wo rld He ri ta g e , th e yo un g vo lunte e r ju s t
o pe n e d h i s a rm s w i d e a n d sa i d ‘I a m Pa tri m o ni to’. As o n e o f th e th o usa n d s of
W o rld H e ri ta g e Vo l u n te e rs w h o h a ve ta ke n p a rt i n th e Ini ti a ti ve si n ce th a t d a y , I
be lieve h i s i n c re d i b le e n e rg y a n d co m m i tm e nt re p re se nt th e va lue s a n d a cti on s
th at yo un g g u a rd i a n s h a ve i m p lem e nte d a b ro a d a n d i n th e i r o wn co untri e s every
ye ar, to p ro te ct o u r co m m o n h e ri ta g e b e yo n d te rri to ri e s a n d b o un d a ri e s.
Fra n ce sco Vo lp in i
Table of contents
Foreword 010
Background 012
Coordination 014
World Heritage facts 016
How to get involved? 018

As an organization 018
As a volunteer 019
As a partner / stakeholder 019
Financial contribution 020
World Heritage Volunteers and the Sustainable Development Goals 022
World Heritage Volunteers project overviews 2008–2017 24

Overview 2008–2017: Africa 26
Overview 2008–2017: Arab States 28
Overview 2008–2017: Asia and the Pacific 30
Overview 2008–2017: Europe and North America 34
Overview 2008–2017: Latin America and the Caribbean 38
Overview of all regions: 2008–2017 40
Projects by region 044
Af rica
Best practices
Kenya 046
Togo 048
L IST O F P r o j e c t s
Botswana Okavango Delta 050

Tsodilo 051
Cabo Verde Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande 052
Côte d’Ivoire Comoé National Park 053

Historic Town of Grand-Bassam 054
Taï National Park 055
Kenya The African Great Rift Valley - The Maasai Mara 056
Fort Jesus, Mombasa 057
Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests 058
Madagascar Rainforests of the Atsinanana 059
Malawi Lake Malawi National Park 060
Mali Old Towns of Djenné 061
Nigeria Oke Idanre (Idanre Hill) 062

Sukur Cultural Landscape 063
Togo Agglomération Aného-Glidji 064

Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba 065
Uganda Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 067

Rwenzori Mountains National Park 068
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Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi 069
Zambia Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls 070
Zimbabwe Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls 072

Matobo Hills 073
Arab States
Best practices
Bahrain 076
Palestine 078
Projects
Bahrain Qal’at al-Bahrain – Ancient Harbour and Capital of Dilmun 080
Egypt Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis 082

Desert Wadis 083
Historic Cairo 084
Morocco Archaeological Site of Volubilis 085

Medina of Fez 086
Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City: a Shared Heritage 087
Palestine Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town 089

Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir 090
Old Town of Nablus and its environs 091
Tell Umm Amer 092
Qatar Al Zubarah Archaeological Site 093
Sudan Dinder National Park 094

Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay – Mukkawar Island
Marine National Park 095
Tunisia Amphitheatre of El Jem 096

Dougga / Thugga 097
Kairouan 098
Medina of Sousse 099
Asia and the Pacif ic

Best practices
China 0102
Indonesia 0104
Projects
Bangladesh Lalbagh Fort 0106
Cambodia Angkor 0107
China Ancient City of Ping Yao 0108

Dong Villages 0109
The Great Wall 0110
5
Historic Centre of Macao 0111
Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System 0112
Mount Sanqingshan National Park 0113
Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries - Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains 0114
Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu 0115
India Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area 0 116

Group of Monuments at Hampi 0117
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram 0 118
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal 0119
Keibul Lamjao Conservation Area 0 120
Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya 0 121
Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat 0 122
Western Ghats 0 123
Indonesia Borobudur Temple Compounds 0 124

Prambanan Temple Compounds 0 125
Ujung Kulon National Park 0 126
Islamic Republic
of Iran Cultural Landscape of Maymand 0 127
The Persian Garden and The Persian Qanat 0 128
Japan Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape 0 129
Shirakami-Sanchi 0 130
Malaysia Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca 0 131
Nepal Kathmandu Valley 0 132

Vajrayogini and early settlment of sankhu 0 134
Philippines Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras 0 135
Republic
of Korea Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites 0 136
Gyeongju Historic Areas 0 137
Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong 0 138
Jeju Volcanic and Lava Tubes 0 139
Namhansanseong 0 140
Southwestern Coast Tidal Flats 0 141
Thailand Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex 0 142
Viet Nam Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi 0 143
Citadel of the Ho Dynasty 0 144
Ha Long Bay 0 145
Hoi An Ancient Town 0 146
Europe and North America

Best practices
Finland 0 150
Germany 0 152
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Projects
Albania Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra 0154
Armenia Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archeological

Site of Zvartnots 0155
Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley 0156
Austria Hallstatt-Dachstein / Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape 0157

Wachau Cultural Landscape 0158
Belgium Major Mining Sites of Wallonia 0159

Neolithic Flint Mines at Spiennes (Mons) 0160
Bulgaria Frontiers of the Roman Empire - The Danube Limes in Bulgaria 0161
Estonia Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn 0162

Wooded meadows (Laelatu, Kalli-Nedrema, Mäepea, Allika, Tagamoisa,
Loode, Koiva, Halliste) 0163
Finland Fortress of Suomenlinna 0164
France Arsenal de Rochefort et fortifications de l'estuaire de la Charente 0165

The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural Landscape 0166
Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion 0167
Parc national de la Vanoise 0168
Germany Classical Weimar 0169

Maulbronn Monastery Complex 0170
Upper Middle Rhine Valley 0171
Iceland Þingvellir National Park 0172
Italy Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata 0173

Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archaeological sites of Paestum
and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula 0174
Ferrara, City of the Renaissance, and its Po Delta 0175
Historic Centre of Naples 0176
Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto) 0177
The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera 0178
Su Nuraxi di Barumini 0179
Venice and its Lagoon 0180
Lithuania Curonian Spit 0181
Montenegro Durmitor National Park 0182
Netherlands Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie 0183
Portugal Historic Centre of Évora 0184
Russian
Federation Bolgar Historical and Archaeological Complex 0185
Cultural and Historic Ensemble of the Solovetsky Islands 0186
Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments 0187
Lake Baikal 0188
Virgin Komi Forests 0189
Serbia Caričin Grad – Iustiniana Prima, archaeological site 0190
Slovakia CHistoric Town of Banská Štiavnica and the Technical Monuments in its Vicinity 0191
Ukraine L’viv – the Ensemble of the Historic Centre 0192
7
Latin America and the Caribbean
Best practices
Mexico 0 196
Peru 0 198
Projects
Argentina Quebrada de Humahuaca 0 200
Bolivia Historical City of Sucre 0 201

Incallajta, the largest Inca site in the Kollasuyo 0 202
Colombia Los Katíos National Park 0 203
Costa Rica Corcovado National Park and Isla del Caño Biological Reserve 0 204
Jamaica Blue and John Crow Mountains 0 205
Mexico Archaeological Monuments Zone of Xochicalco 0 206

Churches of the Zoque Province 0 207
Earliest 16th-Century Monasteries on the Slopes of Popocatepetl 0 208
Historic Centre of Morelia 0 209
Pre-Hispanic City and National Park of Palenque 0 212
Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan 0 214
Peru Chan Chan Archaeological Zone 0 215

The Historic Centre of Cajamarca 0 216
Historic Centre of Lima 0 217
Huascarán National Park 0 218
Sacred City of Caral-Supe 0 219
Saint Lucia Pitons Management Area 0 220
Venezuela
(Bolivarian
Republic of) Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas 0 221
Impact of the World Heritage Volunteers Initiative 0222

Stories of change, a history of change: Using research to address the multiple dimensions and outcomes of
volunteering for heritage 0222
The volunteer experience 0223
Skills and life competencies 0223
Heritage knowledge 0224
Dynamic communities and partnerships: Building on local knowledge 0224
A threefold approach to Impact: Understanding, improving, valorizing 0226
Measuring impact: Behind the ‘hard’ data 0227
A decade of successful campaigns for the WHV Initiative 0228
The importance of volunteering on heritage sites 0229

Awareness raising and communication 0230
Tips on engaging local communities - Improving communication with
local inhabitants before, during and after projects 0230
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Training and capacity building 0231
Tips on long-term capacity-building training 0231
Planning 0232
Tips on planning a community-based project on cultural heritage 0232
Assessment and evaluation 0233
Tips on assessment and evaluation 0233
Sustainable partnerships, networking and funding 0234
Key steps to implementing a partnership 0234
Building new partnerships – Tips for organizations’ external visibility 0235
The way forward 0236
Annex 1 0240
National stakeholders and partners 0240
Africa 0240
Arab States 0245
Asia and the Pacific 0248
Europe and North America 0254
Latin America and the Caribbean 0261
Annex 2 0266
Suggested learning activities for volunteers 0266

Activity 1: Heritage-mapping and needs assessment 0266
Activity 2: Collaborative heritage walks: Sharing stories, building new paths 0268
Activity 3: Mental map – Visual representation of Heritage 0269
Activity 4: Exploring identities through gender 0270
Activity 5: ‘PhotoVoicing’ intangible heritage 0271
9
Foreword
Launched in collaboration with the Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service
(CCIVS) in 2008, within the framework of the UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme, the
World Heritage Volunteers Initiative aims to sensitize and develop appreciation of World Heritage
values through concrete hands-on activities, awareness-raising campaigns and skills training.
From its humble beginnings, the Initiative has developed and matured over the past decade into
a rich and diverse project, involving the remarkable work of young volunteers, organizations and
communities mobilized around heritage conservation.
◆ In 2008, the Initiative started with just 12 action camps involving 153 volunteers; by 2017,
this had risen to 45 action camps with over 700 volunteers.
◆ By the end of 2017, the Initiative had implemented a total of 341 action camps at 138
sites in 60 countries, involving 110 organizations and more than 5,000 volunteers.
Volunteering takes different forms across the world, reflecting varied needs and diverse cultural
contexts. It is not just about completing tasks – it is about the bonds that bring people together
and strengthen society. It is about developing new, dynamic forms of discourse and exchange to
encourage personal and social responsibility, generating enthusiasm to listen and learn, being able
to understand others’ point of view and to change one’s own, and adapting to new challenges.
This is fundamental in building the new forms of global citizenship needed in the world today,
to respond to humanitarian crises and build peace, to forge new approaches to sustainable
development and to make the most of humanity’s great cultural diversity.
This is why volunteering and dialogue go together, reinforcing each other, guided by the ultimate
goal to unite people around a common cause.
The power of international volunteering inspires not only the youth volunteers themselves but also
the communities that benefit from these projects.
The World Heritage List has over 1,000 sites across the world, all of which have been recognized for
their Outstanding Universal Value. Each site is distinctly unique, contributing to the exquisite mosaic
of the world’s cultural and natural diversity. The properties inscribed on the World Heritage List
are protected by the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural
Heritage, the only international legal instrument to protect both natural and cultural heritage.
Today, 193 States Parties have adhered to the Convention, pledging to protect sites not only in their
own territory but also across the globe.
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Fo re wo rd
Heritage is for all. Everybody can get involved in preserving it. But we have to learn how to manage
heritage in an effective, creative and sustainable way.
Consequently, local communities and NGOs in the heritage field are particularly called on to play a
key role in the preservation, promotion and transmission of sites.
In a rapidly changing world, heritage sites are facing new threats that put them and their
communities at risk, and the challenges facing World Heritage conservation have never been
greater. Understanding these impacts to the World Heritage properties’ Outstanding Universal
Value and responding to them effectively has never been so important.
The World Heritage Volunteers Initiative constitutes an important part of the World Heritage global
network, which works to protect and conserve heritage. Thanks to the Initiative and the awareness
it builds, a growing number of young people, volunteers, local communities and authorities are
becoming more involved in protecting and promoting World Heritage. These projects allow young
volunteers to increase their knowledge, skills, non-formal education, extend their networks and gain
experience in hands-on basic preservation and conservation techniques, while contributing to local
communities and overall heritage conservation.
The Initiative not only creates and fosters World Heritage preservation and valorization, but with
each project it also provides the setting for unique intercultural and learning experiences. Exposure
to these rich hands-on and heritage-focused experiences positively influences young volunteers’
personal development, resulting in profound and long-lasting impacts on a personal, societal and
heritage level. There is no doubt that the Initiative exposes the volunteers to a wealth of learning
opportunities, engaging and inspiring them, making them global citizens equipped to carry on the
future protection and conservation of heritage in today’s ever-changing world.
Mechtild Rössler
Director, UNESCO World Heritage Centre
11
Background
Since 1920, when the first international volunteer Hundreds of these volunteering projects have
action camp took place, International Voluntary taken place all over the world, from projects in
Service organizations have been organizing small villages to national parks and large cities
volunteering projects with an important focus − all working towards the common objective
on the heritage of the local communities. Over of rescuing and preserving local and global
the years, many organizations have developed heritage.
multiple forms of cooperation with various
Based on this rich experience of cooperation
stakeholders and have involved young and adult
and international voluntary service, the UNESCO
volunteers in projects that protect, preserve and
World Heritage Volunteers (WHV) Initiative
valorize heritage. Based mainly in Europe at
was launched in 2008 within the framework of
the outset, the projects have been successful
the World Heritage Education programme, in
and have consequently been replicated
collaboration with the Coordinating Committee
throughout the rest of the world’s regions. These
for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS). Its
volunteering projects show the value of non-
aim is to mobilize and involve young people
formal learning and disseminate values and
and youth organizations in World Heritage
expertise developed at the intergovernmental
preservation and promotion.
level to a large public and, in particular, to young
people.
A decade of volunteering
Over 5,000 in 341 in 60 countries with 110 local at 138 UNESCO

volunteers different around the organizations and World Heritage
have participated projects world NGOs sites
The projects that have been included in this publication are those that have returned their evaluation
forms upon completion of their respective projects. Projects that did not submit evaluation forms
are not counted in any of the statistics, nor are they mentioned in the project descriptions.
12
Backgro u n d
The UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme, initiated as a UNESCO special project in 1994,
aims to increase awareness about the World Heritage Convention among young people and to
provide them with the knowledge and skills to conserve World Heritage. The dynamic mix of forums,
trainings, skills-development workshops and innovative educational materials brings together
educators, curriculum developers, heritage experts and others from local to international level,
and enables them to voice their concerns, find sustainable solutions and undertake actions to help
protect our shared cultural and natural heritage.
The WHV Initiative was launched for a two-year pilot phase and became a flagship initiative in 2010.
The Initiative has six objectives:
1 Raise awareness among young people, volunteers, local communities and concerned
authorities of the need to protect and promote World Heritage.
2 Involve young people in World Heritage preservation through concrete projects at sites.
3 Empower young people, allowing them to learn skills, basic preservation and conservation
techniques and raise their capacity as future decision-makers and active global citizens.
4 Strengthen sustainable cooperation between non-profit organizations, site management,

communities and authorities.
5 Identify best practices and develop non-formal education tools to facilitate stakeholders’
participation in the World Heritage education.
6 Mainstream gender equality in all stages of the projects and geographical diversity among
the World Heritage properties where the action camps take place.
The WHV projects are organized in action The activities and projects are extensive and
camps by local youth organizations, NGOs, range from planting plants and trees in Togo,
heritage or education-related institutions or to renovating ancient water canals and ancient
other organizations. These camps usually last a places using natural materials in Palestine, to
minimum of ten days and are full of activities. learning about ancient Chinese philosophy and
Young national and international volunteers traditional culture in China, to restoring the
come together to carry out preventive traditional dry-stone wall system in Germany
conservation activities and awareness and to raising awareness among famers about
sessions on issues related to World Heritage, using toxic agronomic products that affect the
as well as other activities, together with local natural environment in Costa Rica.
communities.
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Coordination
Due to the growth of UNESCO’s WHV Initiative targets both professionals and volunteers, and
over the past decade and its development into includes conservation and restoration activities,
a youth-based scheme, it is now coordinated training courses in handicrafts, projects for
globally with CCIVS, and regionally with students, volunteer camps and other projects
European Heritage Volunteers and Better World. providing education and awareness raising in
the field of heritage.
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre is
responsible for directing and supervising the Better World has been the regional coordinator
coordination of the overall WHV Initiative. for Asia since 2015.
The Coordinating Committee for International B e t t e r Wo r l d / I n t e r n a t i o n a l Wo r kc a m p

Voluntary Service (CCIVS) is responsible for the Organization, is a Korea-based non-profit
global coordination of the Initiative and is also NGO created in 1999 whose main mission is to
the regional coordinator for Africa, the Arab empower people and communities towards
States, and Latin America and the Caribbean. a shared vision of a peaceful and sustainable
world, driven by engaged citizens. The main
CCIVS was founded under the aegis of UNESCO
focus of Better World activities is on global
and is located at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
education, community development and
It is an INGO (international non-governmental
international volunteering, considered as
organization) and coordinates the activities of
complementary elements and tools to build a
more than 200 voluntary service organizations
sustainable culture of peace.
in 100 countries around the world every year,
engaging them in community-based projects All coordinators are jointly responsible
supported by more than 40,000 volunteers. for promoting the Initiative, assisting the
CCIVS is an official partner of UNESCO (associate participating organizations and evaluating their
status) and is currently the Vice Chair of the action camps as the regional coordinators.
NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee (2016−18).
European Heritage Volunteers (a branch of

Open Houses) has been the regional coordinator
for Europe since 2014, and has organized
volunteering and educational projects at
cultural and natural heritage sites since 2000.
The projects, partly organized by European
Heritage Volunteers and partly in cooperation
with other institutions and organizations,
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© Qatar Museums
World Heritage facts
The UNESCO Convention Concerning the delineated natural areas. Mixed cultural and
Protection of the World Cultural and Natural natural heritage sites contain elements of both
Heritage is an international agreement adopted cultural and natural sites. Most of the properties
in 1972 by the General Conference of UNESCO. inscribed on the World Heritage List are cultural.
Today, the Convention has 193 1
countries that Inscribing a site on the World Heritage List is the
are party to it. By ratifying the Convention, these first step in the process of safeguarding these
States Parties agree to inventory, recognize and properties for future generations. They must
protect the unique and irreplaceable properties also be well managed and preserved, and this
of Outstanding Universal Value that are part of involves local communities, site managers and
the common heritage of humankind. national authorities.
The States Parties prepare their Tentative Lists, The List of World Heritage in Danger is where a
with sites which they consider to be of potential property is inscribed if its Outstanding Universal
Outstanding Universal Value and which they Value is seriously threatened. It is a wake-up call
intend to nominate to the World Heritage to sites put at risk by natural conditions or human
List during the following years. A site must be activity, such as earthquakes or other natural
included in the State Party’s Tentative List for it disasters, armed conflict and war, or unplanned
to be nominated to the World Heritage List. construction. It calls for international attention
in order to urgently tackle the problem and take
There are 1,000 properties inscribed on
emergency preservation measures.
the World Heritage List across the world.
These are cultural, natural and mixed sites. The Global Strategy for a Representative,
Cultural heritage sites include 1) monuments: Balanced and Credible World Heritage List
architectural works, works of monumental was launched in 1994 by the World Heritage
sculpture or painting, archaeological elements Committee to broaden the definition of World
or structures, inscriptions and cave dwellings; Heritage to better reflect the full spectrum of
2) groups of buildings; and 3) archaeological our world’s cultural and natural treasures, and
sites. Natural heritage sites have 1) natural to provide a comprehensive framework and
features consisting of physical and biological operational methodology for implementing the
formations or groups of such formations; 2) World Heritage Convention.
geological and physiographical formations and
precisely delineated areas which constitute
the habitat of threatened species of animals
and plants; and 3) natural sites or precisely
1 States to the Convention as of 31 January 2017.
16
Backgro u n d
For more information: Youth are the future of heritage: by training

them in heritage preservation and valorization,
World Heritage List
by helping them build a local, national and
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/ international network of organizations,
Tentative Lists professionals and individuals, by equipping

them with the intercultural skills needed, by
https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/
building upon the sentiment of volunteerism,
List of World Heritage in Danger we are building a future of actors who will
take the lead in World Heritage protection and
https://whc.unesco.org/en/danger/
conservation. This will help build upon local and
Global Strategy international development, and consolidate
https://whc.unesco.org/en/globalstrategy/
the role of volunteers in their own societies and
internationally.
This new vision goes beyond the narrow

definitions of heritage and strives to recognize
and protect sites that are outstanding examples
of human coexistence with the land, as well
as human interactions, cultural coexistence,
spirituality and creative expression.
Young people are at the forefront of making

change happen through their creativity,
potential, hard work and dedication for
themselves, their societies and the world
around them. UNESCO’s work across all sectors
has shown that helping youth to maximize
this potential and empowering youth to work
together drives social innovation and change,
and that youth participation is essential for the
development of their societies and in eradicating
poverty and inequality, while fostering a culture
of peace.
17
How to get involved?
As an organization
Every year, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre publishes a Call for Projects inviting all youth organizations,
NGOs and institutions wishing to implement action camps at World Heritage sites to apply.
To take part in the WHV Campaign and implement an action camp at a World Heritage site, an organization
should submit the application form to the World Heritage Centre and the regional coordinating partners.
For selection, proposed projects must fulfil the set of criteria below (mandatory).
The project Applying organization:

1 Should be organized in direct relation to a 1 Should be legally registered as a public or private
property inscribed on the World Heritage List or organization or institution in the country where
a site on a Tentative List. See: the project takes place.
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list 2 All activities of the organization related to WHV
http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists should be not-for-profit. All local, national and
2 Should have a minimum 10 day duration international partnerships developed by the
(excluding arrival and departure dates). applicant in the framework of the WHV should be
3 Should include the same group of people for a submitted for approval to the WHV coordinators.
minimum 10 day overall duration, consecutive or 3 First time applicants should submit two letters
not. of support from recognized organizations and/or
4 Should ideally be conducted within the timeline institutions recommending the applicant on the
fixed by the Call for Projects. basis of past or current proven cooperation.
5 Should involve international volunteers as much 4 First time applicants should submit a copy of their
as possible. Constitution/Bylaws and of their most recent
6
Should include awareness-raising activities, activity report in one of the UN official languages.
practical hands-on activities and skills related to
World Heritage sites where the action camp will Note | Organizers engage themselves to implement
be conducted. their project as per approved proposals and to

submit a full activity report (including images,
7
Should be developed in consultation with site
videos and other results) demonstrating the
managers and local authorities in planning concrete engagement of young volunteers in the
details of the activities. field of World Heritage. UNESCO shall use these for
8 Should include practical hands-on skills training promotional purposes, among others publication
in UNESCO’s website, the World Heritage Review,
activities, as well as reflection on issues related to
for information to the different States Parties and
World Heritage. concerned governmental agencies.
9 Should involve the community in order to deepen Each organization is eligible to apply for a maximum
their knowledge around issues related to World of 4 projects to be carried out at different sites (you
may apply to run several projects on the same site;
Heritage and the WHV Initiative.
or to run several projects on the same theme but on
10
Should respect participants’ gender equality
different sites. This will be counted as one project.)
(ideally equal number of male and female) and The evaluation form of previous World Heritage
geographical diversity (ideally from different Volunteers projects done by the same organization
countries and regions). has to be submitted in order for the new proposals to
be considered.
18
How to get invo lve d ?
As a volunteer
for society, and are also invited to be part of the
organization’s decision-making process.
Knowing that volunteers will be expected to
Volunteers are active individuals who make a respect local customs, the main language for
choice to engage and to receive in exchange a communication is English, but the language(s)
unique, organized, structured opportunity for used will also depend on the organizers and the
personal growth through non-formal education. country where the action camp will be held.
Generally, volunteers are between 18 and 30 years

old, but the requirements can vary according to To apply:
the hosting country, the organization and the 1
Visit our website https://whc.unesco.org/en/
action camp. whvolunteers/ to refer to the list of selected
Volunteers are expected to contribute their share projects available.

2
Check the different projects: their timeline,
of the expenses, such as the cost of their travel to
host country, awareness-raising and hands-on
the action camp, visa, insurance, etc. Although
activities proposed. The brief descriptions will
participation in a WHV action camp can be free
give you all the details needed.
of charge, volunteers may be asked to pay a
3 Once you have chosen one or several projects
participation fee set by the organization.
you are interested in joining, contact the
Participation in the action camps is open to all
organization(s) in charge directly who will
young people who wish to experience volunteering
provided you with the application process and all
at World Heritage sites, including those who the information needed.
already take part in international voluntary service. 4
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre is not
Volunteers in international voluntary service responsible for the selection of individual volunteers.
activities, at home or abroad, first of all join an 5 Follow the instructions provided by the
organization, sharing its goals and objectives organization and wait for their confirmation.
As a partner/stakeholder
As an authority, an institution, another NGO or a private company, you can contribute to the WHV Initiative
and support a WHV action camp, for example by providing in-kind contributions, financial support or
expertise in the organization of planned activities on the site.
In order to develop sustainable partnerships, you will need to approach local youth organizations, NGOs or
institutions with experience in youth/heritage projects, who might be interested in jointly supporting or
implementing an action camp on a World Heritage site.
You can also contact the World Heritage site management authorities to find out whether they are in
contact with a local organization you could support.
19
Financial contribution
Although the overall budget of the World Heritage Initiative varies from year to year
depending on the number and nature of projects and their activities, the campaign’s
financial organization is based on four fundamental categories:
◆ The work of the general coordinators and that of the partner

organizations before, during and after the implementation of the camps.
◆ The cost of project activities, from hosting to materials.
◆ The travel costs of the local and international volunteers and camp leaders.
◆ The cost of regional and global meetings and trainings aimed at
ensuring the quality and sustainability of the programme.
Averaging costs at Parity of Purchasing Power (PPP) across very different economic
and social contexts, the Initiative’s current annual budget can be estimated at between
US$750,000 and US$1,000,000.
Project costs
41%
Current situation: Financing the project action camps presents a huge challenge: each one
entails significant costs, including basic food and accommodation, travel, designing awareness-
raising materials, organizing outreach activities and communication events, the presence of
trained staff and volunteer coordinators, health cover, insurance and many more. These costs
have mainly been borne by the organizations and communities involved in the campaign, with
occasional support (when available) from local grants, sponsors and partner organizations. The
grassroots nature of most stakeholders, as well as the wide economic disparities across regions
and countries, complicate the situation still further. UNESCO, along with the global and regional
coordinators, has contributed to this challenge by supporting the quality work done by different
organizations over the years.
What can be improved: The overall quality of the Initiative could be improved by a systematic
allocation of seed funding to all selected projects, according to defined criteria, in order to support
and encourage progressive sustainability. This would also ensure that stakeholders, including
partners and communities, remain motivated to continue investing their resources in the long 23%
term if their major economic, educational and labour contribution is acknowledged and valued
financially.
Travel costs
Current situation: The WHV Initiative, like World Heritage itself, aims to create actions and ideas that go beyond
territories and boundaries. To make this happen, it is crucial that local and international volunteers have freedom
of movement, mobility and interaction. Thousands of volunteers, motivated by the idea of a unique life experience
and learning opportunity, have autonomously raised funds to reach the site of their project. Nevertheless, and
despite the efforts of many organizations who have put in place specific funds and activities to support participants
from economically and/or geographically disadvantaged regions and backgrounds, the direction of the exchanges
still largely reflects the global economic power imbalance, hindering the essential goals of reciprocity, active
participation and solidarity that World Heritage promotes.
What can be improved: Increasing the number and diversity of volunteers participating in the Initiative will be a
fundamental step towards a truly inclusive campaign, and a crucial contribution to the circulation of people and
ideas for the preservation and promotion of World Heritage. Every level of involvement can benefit from increased
investment in volunteer mobility: from the inclusion of local youth from the communities in and around very large
cultural and natural sites, to the creation and strengthening of regional and subregional cooperation through
volunteer exchanges and the global promotion of cultural diversity.
20
Fi n a n ci a l Co ntribu tio n
Meetings and training costs
Current situation: Meetings held with the organizations involved have been a crucial component of the Initiative
ever since it began. They play an essential role in improving the projects and activities, building understanding
among participating organizations around the core elements of World Heritage and voluntary service, and in skills
training for coordinators, camp leaders and volunteers in fields as diverse as heritage and volunteer management,
media, quality improvement and outreach.
However, organizing these meetings and trainings has remained a challenge over the past decade. Indeed, due
to a lack of financial resources, there have been few meetings and trainings implemented by UNESCO and the
regional coordinators and organizations. In addition, many organizations are still facing enormous difficulties
in participating in regional and international meetings and trainings that would greatly benefit them and the
Initiative itself.
What can be improved: Cooperation among coordinating organizations is an essential part of

the WHV Initiative, as is the investment in training that has extended the range and improved the
quality of the actions implemented. Regional meetings should be further supported in order to
promote exchanges around common needs and challenges, and should also include, wherever
possible, targeted training days that reflect local priorities identified by the organizations
and coordinators. Annual regional and biannual global meetings would also further enhance
collaboration among existing and prospective stakeholders and increase the capacity of the
Initiative to continue creating innovative projects and reaching out to a wider public.
Coordination and partners’ costs
26% UNESCO and the coordinating partners (CCIVS, European Heritage Volunteers and Better World)
are in charge of promoting the Initiative, selecting and evaluating the projects, and supporting
the implementing organization in their preparation and operational work.
Similarly, all WHV organizations involved in the Initiative across all regions are responsible for
their own preparation, implementation and evaluation costs, planning the activities, building
and maintaining local and international partnerships to recruit volunteers and train camp
leaders, visiting the project sites and communities several times before and after the camps,
and managing all the administrative work required, from writing the applications and reports to
raising funds.
10% What can be improved: While the essential aspects of the coordination are already well managed,
further investment in this area would ensure a wider outreach, visibility and sustainability for the
Initiative and the coordinating partners involved, especially in new countries and sites. Fundraising
is also an important area for development by the coordinators, to support those projects and
implementing organizations in need of financial assistance and training, particularly with regard
to improving the technical quality of the hands-on activities and the management of volunteers
in an international, multicultural context.
BEYOND THE BUDGET. In addition to the costs and in-kind contributions from all the coordinating partners,
stakeholders and volunteers, the WHV Initiative also benefited from over 280,000 hours of volunteer work
during the action camps in the period 2008−2017. Although the purpose of this report is not to attribute a
monetary value to work whose real worth is beyond any economic scale, ILO’s Manual on the Measurement of
Volunteer Work estimates that the volunteers’ contribution in the field of heritage can be calculated at over
US$7 million.
Most importantly, as demonstrated by recent research included in this report, the WHV Initiative is first and
foremost a unique educational activity. On that basis, its contribution to date in terms of the learning that
takes place during the action camps is already approaching an additional US$4 million, even without taking
into account the long-term transformational impact of the changes in attitude, knowledge and skills of the
volunteers, communities and institutions involved.
Source: International Labour Organization (ILO). 2011. Manual on the Measurement of Volunteer Work. Geneva, ILO.
21
World Heritage Volunteers and the
Sustainable Development Goals
The WHV Initiative is founded on volunteering of any strategy aimed at poverty reduction,
for heritage, while promoting peace and better sustainable development and social integration,
understanding, inclusion, solidarity, active in particular overcoming social exclusion and
participation and shared learning. It gives discrimination’.12
people the opportunity to participate as active
World Heritage, for its part, supports sustainable
members of society and to work towards the
development in countless ways − preserving
protection, preservation and valorization of
natural resources, including sites with some
heritage that benefits a local, national and
of the richest combinations of terrestrial
international community. Volunteering can be
and marine biodiversity, is a fundamental
a catalyst for change within individuals and
contribution to environmental sustainability.
society, helping to break down prejudices and
Heritage sites that are well-maintained can also
stereotypes and promote mutual respect and
help tackle the risks associated with natural
understanding.
and human-made disasters, by ensuring quality
As mentioned in the 1998 preamble of construction, and limiting the negative impacts
the Universal Charter of Voluntary Service of degraded natural resources.
developed by CCIVS, international volunteering
World Heritage properties may equally be
is vital for development: ‘Social justice and
important assets for economic development,
development depend, in turn, on all members of
and can attract investment and provide local
society participating in productive and socially
and stable employment through tourism, as
useful work, in a spirit of true equality and the
well as a great number of other activities.
recognition of the right of others to dignity and
respect, as called for by the Universal Declaration World Heritage can also play an important role
of Human Rights’. Therefore, organizations in social cohesion and the fostering of peace
working in the field of International Voluntary and security. World Heritage sites can provide
Service view volunteering as a way to contribute spiritual well-being through their powerful
to different elements of the global agenda, such sacred and aesthetic characteristics. They can
as the Sustainable Development Goals. also contribute to shared values in conflict
or post-conflict situations which can foster
Furthermore, the United Nations Economic
tolerance, respect and mutual understanding.
and Social Council recognizes that
International Voluntary Service contributes
to the implementation of the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals because
‘volunteering is an important component
2 United Nations Economic and Social Council, 2001, p. 2.
22
World Heri ta ge Vol u nteers a n d t h e S u stain able
D evelop m e nt Go al s
World Heritage and Sustainable The WHV Initiative covers the following
Development Sustainable Development Goals:
In line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable 1 Good Health and Well-Being
Development, adopted in September 2015 by 2 Quality Education
the UN General Assembly, the World Heritage 3 Gender Equality
and Sustainable Development Policy (2015) was 4 Clean Water and Sanitation
adopted to guide the processes of the World 5 Decent Work and Economic Growth
Heritage Convention, reflecting a general trend 6 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
to make the World Heritage Convention more 7 Reduced Inequalities
aligned with multilateral agreements and the 8 Sustainable Cities and Communities
challenges of the twenty-first century. 9 Responsible Consumption and Production

10 Climate Action
The overall goal of the World Heritage and 11 Life below Water
Sustainable Development Policy is to assist 12 Life on Land
States Parties, practitioners, institutions, 13 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
communities and networks, through 14 Partnerships for the Goals
appropriate guidance, to leverage the potential
of World Heritage properties, and heritage
in general, to contribute to sustainable
development. This is intended to make the
Convention more effective and relevant while
respecting its primary mandate to protect the
Outstanding Universal Value of World Heritage
properties.
23
World Heritage Volunteers project
overviews 2008–2017
341 action camps

138 sites
60 countries
110 organizations
5,000 volunteers
©UNE S CO
KEY
Project implemented at :
Cultural property Natural property Mixed property Property in Danger Site on the Tentative List
Overview 2008–2017:
Africa
COUNTRY WORLD HERITAGE SITE CATEGORY OF SITE
Botswana Okavango Delta World Heritage List – Natural
Tsodilo World Heritage List – Cultural
Cabo Verde Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande World Heritage List – Cultural
Côte d’Ivoire Comoé National Park World Heritage List – Natural
Historic Town of Grand-Bassam World Heritage List – Cultural
Taï National Park World Heritage List – Natural
Kenya The African Great Rift Valley - The Maasai Mara Tentative List
Fort Jesus, Mombasa World Heritage List – Cultural
Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests World Heritage List – Cultural
Madagascar Rainforests of the Atsinanana In Danger – Natural
Malawi Lake Malawi National Park World Heritage List – Natural
Mali Old Towns of Djenné In Danger – Cultural
Nigeria Oke Idanre (Idanre Hill) Tentative List
Sukur Cultural Landscape World Heritage List – Cultural
Togo Agglomération Aného-Glidji Tentative List
Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba World Heritage List – Cultural
Uganda Bwindi Impenetrable National Park World Heritage List – Natural
Rwenzori Mountains National Park World Heritage List – Natural
Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi In Danger – Cultural
Zambia Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls World Heritage List – Natural
Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls World Heritage List – Natural
Zimbabwe Matobo Hills World Heritage List – Cultural
Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls World Heritage List – Natural
26
WHV Proj ect s : O ver vi ew 20 0 8 – 2017 | Af rica
ORGANIZATION 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Botswana Workcamps Association (BWA)
Cape Verde Youth Federation (FCJ)
Jeunes Volontaires pour l’Environnement Côte d’Ivoire

Actions pour la Mobilisation des Initiatives
et Stratégies d’Aide au Développement - AMISTAD
ASBL Kouady
Global Voluntary Development Association (GVDA)
Kenya Voluntary Development Association
Malagasy Youth for Sustainable Development (MY4SD)
Active Youth Initiative for Social Enhancement (AYISE)
Fédération Malienne des Clubs, Centres et Associations UNESCO
Voluntary Workcamps Association of Nigeria (VWAN)
Grassroots Lifesaving Outreach
Les Amis de la Terre
FAGAD (Frères Agriculteurs et Artisans pour le Développement)
Association Ma Terre-Mon Village
Beninese Volunteers Corps
Association des Jeunes Volontaires pour le Développement Communautaire (AJVDC)
Uganda Voluntary development Association (UVDA)
Youth Association of Zambia (YAZ)
Y2Y-Youth 2 Youth Zimbabwe
Amakhosi Cultural Center
Youth 2 Youth in Zambia (Y2Y)
27
Arab States
Qal’at al-Bahrain – Ancient Harbour

Bahrain World Heritage List – Cultural
and Capital of Dilmun
Egypt Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis World Heritage List – Cultural
Desert Wadis Tentative List
Desert Wadis Tentative List
Historic Cairo World Heritage List – Cultural
Morocco Archaeological site of Volubilis World Heritage List – Cultural
Medina of Fez World Heritage List – Cultural

Rabat, Modern Capital
World Heritage List – Cultural
and Historic City: a Shared Heritage
Palestine Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town In Danger – Cultural
Old Town of Nablus and its environs Tentative List

Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural
In Danger – Cultural
Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir
Tell Umm Amer Tentative List
Tell Umm Amer Tentative List
Qatar Al Zubarah Archaeological Site World Heritage List – Cultural
Sudan Dinder National Park Tentative List

Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay –
World Heritage List – Natural
Mukkawar Island Marine National Park
Tunisia Amphitheatre of El Jem World Heritage List – Cultural
Dougga/Thugga World Heritage List – Cultural
Kairouan World Heritage List – Cultural
Medina of Sousse World Heritage List – Cultural
28
WHV Proj ect s : O ver vi ew 20 0 8 – 201 7 | Arab State s
ORGANIZATION 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Good Word Society
Kome el Dabie Community Development Association (KDCDA)
Red Sea Parks Association (RSPA)
Eco-Tourism Association Marsa Alam
Youth and Development Consultancy Institute – Etijah
Association chantiers et cultures
Association Chantiers des Jeunes Volontaires (CJV)
Chantiers Sociaux Marocains (CSM)
National Union of Work Camps and Volunteers
International Palestine Youth League (IPYL)
Multipurpose Community Resource Center (MCRC)
IWAN Center for Architectural Heritage - Islamic University of Gaza
Nawa for Culture and Arts Association/Al Khidr Library for Children
Qatar Museums
Sudanese Environment Conservation Society (SECS)
Association Tunisienne d’Action Volontaire (ATAV)
29
Asia and the Pacific
Bangladesh Lalbagh Fort Tentative List
Cambodia Angkor World Heritage List – Cultural
China Ancient City of Ping Yao World Heritage List – Cultural
Dong Villages Tentative List
The Great Wall World Heritage List – Cultural
Historic Centre of Macao World Heritage List – Cultural
Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System World Heritage List – Cultural
Mount Sanqingshan National Park World Heritage List – Natural

Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries − Wolong, Mt
World Heritage List – Natural
Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains
Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong
Family Mansion in Qufu
India Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area World Heritage List – Natural
Group of Monuments at Hampi World Heritage List – Cultural
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram World Heritage List – Cultural
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal World Heritage List – Cultural
Keibul Lamjao Conservation Area Tentative List
Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya World Heritage List – Cultural
Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat World Heritage List – Cultural
Western Ghats World Heritage List – Natural
Indonesia Borobudur Temple Compounds World Heritage List – Cultural
Borobudur Temple Compounds World Heritage List – Cultural
Prambanan Temple Compounds World Heritage List – Cultural
Ujung Kulon National Park World Heritage List – Natural
Islamic Republic of Iran Cultural Landscape of Maymand World Heritage List – Cultural
1) The Persian Garden 1) World Heritage List – Cultural

2) The Persian Qanat 2) World Heritage List – Cultural
Japan Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape World Heritage List – Cultural
Shirakami-Sanchi World Heritage List – Natural
30
WHV Proj ect s : O ver vi ew 20 0 8 – 201 7 | A s i a a n d th e Pacif ic
ORGANIZATION 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Education & Cultural Society (ECS)
Korea Angkor Cultural Heritage Institute
Union REMPART - Ruan Yisan Heritage Foundation

Beijing Tsinghua Tongheng Urban Planning & Design Institute,
Institute for Historic and Cultural Cities of National Importance (IHCCNI)
The Chinese Society of Education Training Center (CSETC)
Macao New Chinese Youth Association (MNCYA)
The Chinese Society of Education
FSL India
FSL India
FSL India
FSL India
Existence
Indian Trust for Rural Heritage and Development (IT RHD)
Elixir Foundation
FSL India
Gerakan Kerelawanan Internasional (GREAT)
Indonesia International Work Camp (IIWC)
Dejavato Foundation
Sarvsaan Cultural Heritage Group
Never-ending International Workcamp Exchange (NICE)
31
Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the

Malaysia World Heritage List – Cultural
Straits of Malacca
Nepal Kathmandu Valley World Heritage List – Cultural
Kathmandu Valley World Heritage List – Cultural
Kathmandu Valley World Heritage List – Cultural
Vajrayogini and early settlement of sankhu Tentative List
Philippines Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras World Heritage List – Cultural
Republic of Korea Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen sites World Heritage List – Cultural
Gyeongju Historic Areas World Heritage List – Cultural
Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong World Heritage List – Cultural
Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes World Heritage List – Natural
Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes World Heritage List – Natural
Namhansanseong World Heritage List – Cultural
Southwestern Coast Tidal Flats Tentative List
Thailand Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex World Heritage List – Natural
Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel
Viet Nam World Heritage List – Cultural
of Thang Long - Hanoi
Citadel of the Ho Dynasty World Heritage List – Cultural
Ha Long Bay World Heritage List – Natural
Hoi An Ancient Town World Heritage List – Cultural
32
WHV Proj ect s : O ver vi ew 20 0 8 – 201 7 | A s i a a n d th e Pacif ic
ORGANIZATION 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Persatuan Kebudayaan dan Kebajikan Chetti Melaka
SamYuBaa Network, Heritage UNESCO Centre Nepal
Volunteers Initiative Nepal (VIN)
Youth for Sustainable Development Assembly – YSDA
International Workcamp Organization (IWO)
Korean National Commission for UNESCO
Pitaya Suwan Foundation − Greenway
Volunteers for Peace Vietnam
Solidarités Jeunesses Vietnam
33
Albania Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra World Heritage List – Cultural
Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the
Armenia World Heritage List – Cultural
Archaeological Site of Zvartnots
Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley World Heritage List – Cultural
Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut Cultural
Austria World Heritage List – Cultural
Landscape
Wachau Cultural Landscape World Heritage List – Cultural
Wachau Cultural Landscape World Heritage List – Cultural
Belgium Major Mining Sites of Wallonia World Heritage List – Cultural
Neolithic Flint Mines at Spiennes (Mons) World Heritage List – Cultural

Frontiers of the Roman Empire − The Danube Limes
Bulgaria Tentative List
in Bulgaria
Estonia Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn World Heritage List – Cultural
Wooded meadows (Laelatu, Kalli-Nedrema, Mäepea,
Tentative List
Allika, Tagamoisa, Loode, Koiva, Halliste)
Finland Fortress of Suomenlinna World Heritage List – Cultural
Arsenal de Rochefort et fortifications de l'estuaire de
France Tentative List
la Charente
The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-
pastoral Cultural Landscape
Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion World Heritage List – Cultural
Parc national de la Vanoise Tentative List
Germany Classical Weimar World Heritage List – Cultural
Maulbronn Monastery Complex World Heritage List – Cultural
Upper Middle Rhine Valley World Heritage List – Cultural
Iceland Þingvellir National Park World Heritage List – Cultural

Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and
Italy World Heritage List – Cultural
Torre Annunziata
Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park
with the Archeological sites of Paestum World Heritage List – Cultural
and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula
Ferrara, City of the Renaissance, and its Po Delta World Heritage List – Cultural
Historic Centre of Naples World Heritage List – Cultural
34
W HV Proj ect s : O ver vi ew 20 0 8 – 201 7 | Eu rop e a n d N orth Am e rica
ORGANIZATION 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
REMPART
HUJ – Voluntary Service of Armenia

Village of Hallstatt
(Hallstatt Municipality)
Service Civil International (SCI) Austria
Wachau Dunkelsteinerwald Regionalentwicklung
Jeunes Actifs dans le Volontariat et les Voyages Alternatifs (JAVVA) ASBL
Bulgarian Archaeological Association
International Youth Association EstYES
The Governing Body of Suomenlinna
Solidarités Jeunesses PC, La Maison des Bateleurs
Concordia France
REMPART
Concordia France
European Heritage Volunteers (Open Houses)
Bürgerverein Schmie e.V. c/o European Heritage Volunteers (Open Houses)
European Heritage Volunteers (Open Houses)
SEEDS Iceland
Youth Action for Peace Italy
Legambiente
Comitato FAI di Ferrara
Vedi Napoli
35
Portovenere, Cinque Terre and the Islands

Italy World Heritage List – Cultural
(Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto)
Portovenere, Cinque Terre and the Islands
(Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto)
The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches
of Matera
Su Nuraxi di Barumini World Heritage List – Cultural
Venice and its Lagoon World Heritage List – Cultural
Lithuania Curonian Spit World Heritage List – Cultural
Montenegro Durmitor National Park World Heritage List – Natural
The Netherlands Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie Tentative List
Portugal Historic Centre of Évora World Heritage List – Cultural
Russian Federation Bolgar Historical and Archaeological Complex World Heritage List – Cultural
Cultural and Historic Ensemble
of the Solovetsky Islands
Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related
Groups of Monuments
Lake Baikal World Heritage List – Natural
Lake Baikal World Heritage List – Natural
Virgin Komi Forests World Heritage List – Natural
Serbia Caričin Grad – Iustiniana Prima, archaeological site Tentative List

Historic Town of Banská Štiavnica and the Technical
Slovakia World Heritage List – Cultural
Monuments in its Vicinity
Ukraine L'viv – the Ensemble of the Historic Centre World Heritage List – Cultural
36
W HV Proj ect s : O ver vi ew 20 0 8 – 201 7 | Eu rop e a n d N orth Am e rica
ORGANIZATION 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Legambiente
Tu Quoque
Legambiente
Fondazione Barumini Sistema Cultura
Legambiente
Lithuanian Fund for Nature
Association for democratic prosperity-Zid (ADP-Zid)
Projectbureau Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie (PNHW)
Municipality of Évora
Cultural World Heritage Centre, Kazan Federal University

Center of International Youth and
Student exchange voluntary programs ‘World4u’
Mir Tesen
SFERA Movement
I Great Baikal Trail
SFERA Movement
Institute for Cultural Heritage Preservation NIŠ
The Calvary Fund
Ukranian Cooperation for Youth Co-operation, Alternative V
37
Argentina Quebrada de Humahuaca World Heritage List – Cultural
Bolivia (Plurinational Historic City of Sucre World Heritage List – Cultural

State of)
Incallajta, the largest Inca site in the Kollasuyo Tentative List
Colombia Los Katíos National Park World Heritage List – Natural

Corcovado National Park and Isla del Caño Biological
Costa Rica Tentative List
Reserve
Jamaica Blue and John Crow Mountains World Heritage List – Mixed
Mexico Archaeological Monuments Zone of Xochicalco World Heritage List – Cultural
Archaeological Monuments Zone of Xochicalco World Heritage List – Cultural
Churches of the Zoque Province Tentative List

Earliest 16th-Century Monasteries
on the Slopes of Popocatepetl
Historic Centre of Morelia World Heritage List – Cultural
Pre-Hispanic City and National Park of Palenque World Heritage List – Cultural
Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan World Heritage List – Cultural
Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan World Heritage List – Cultural
Peru Chan Chan Archaeological Zone In Danger – Cultural
Chan Chan Archaeological Zone In Danger – Cultural
The Historic Centre of Cajamarca Tentative List
Historic Centre of Lima World Heritage List – Cultural
Huascarán National Park World Heritage List – Natural
Sacred City of Caral-Supe World Heritage List – Cultural
Saint Lucia Pitons Management Area World Heritage List – Natural
Venezuela (Bolivarian Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas World Heritage List – Cultural
Republic of)
38
W HV Proj ect s : O ver vi ew 20 0 8 – 201 7 | La t i n A m eri ca a n d t h e Caribbe an
ORGANIZATION 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Subir al Sur
Red Tinku
Red Tinku
Barranquilla+20
OSACOOP
Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust
Nataté Voluntariado Internacional A.C.
Voluntarios Internacionales México A.C. (VIMEX)
Asociación Mexicana de Voluntariado International A.C.
Morelos Government’s Youth Institute
Vive Mexico

Departamento de Museos y Servicios Educativos de la Zona de Monumentos
Arqueológicos de Teotihuacán Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia
Brigada de Voluntarios Bolivarianos del Perú
Proyecto Especial Complejo Arqueológico Chan Chan
Perfect Union
Asociación de Scouts de Venezuela
* Site submitted to the tentative list in 2001 and withdrawn in 2013
39
Overview of all regions: 2008–2017
REGION COUNTRIES ORGANIZATIONS PROJECTS SITES
Africa 12 22 70 21
Arab States 7 17 27 18
Asia and the Pacific 13 24 112 41
Europe and North America 19 32 91 39

Latin America and the Caribbean 9 15 41 19
Total 60 110 341 138
1 WHV PROJECTS CARRIED OUT ON WORLD HERITAGE SITES PER REGION
35
30 35
25 30
25
20
20
15
15
10
10
5 5
0 0
Cultural Cultural Natural
Natural Mixed
Mixed InIn Danger
Danger Sites
Sites on the on the
propertiesproperties properties
properties properties
properties properties
properties Tentative List
Tentative List
Asia and Europe and Latin America

Regions Africa Arab States Asia and
the Pacific Europe
North and
America Latin America
and the Caribbean
Regions Africa Arab States
the Pacific North America and the Caribbean
40
O ver vi ew of a l l regi ons : 2008–2017
2 CATEGORY OF SITE WHERE WHV

PROJECTS HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED
Since its launch, the highest number of
organizations involved in the World Heritage
100 Volunteers Initiative are in Europe and Asia
90 87
80
at cultural sites. The goal for the future is that
70 more organizations carry out action camps
60
50 in the Arab States, Latin America and Africa.
40
30 24 Furthermore, more action camps should be
20
10 1
6 organized and implemented at natural, mixed
Cultural Natural Mixed In Danger and in danger sites.
properties properties properties properties
3 OVERALL NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS
803 804 800

774
712
666
447
382
122 129
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
The number of WHV volunteers increased from 122 in 2008 to 800 in 2017. To date, the WHV Initiative has involved more
than 5,000 volunteers.
41
4 WHV PROJECTS CARRIED OUT BY
Many different actors have committed to

NGOs
NGOs
implementing action camps in the framework
of the WHV Initiative. The majority of them are
UNESCO National
UNESCO Commissions
National Commissions
NGOs. Other actors, such as state authorities,
Municipalities
Municipalities municipalities, site managers, foundations and
regional institutions are increasingly participating
Site managers
Site managers
in the Initiative. Consolidating, maintaining and
Regional
Regional institutions
institutions furthering these relationships and partnerships is
vital for the development of the WHV Initiative.
StateState authorities
authorities
5 PARTNERS WHO IMPLEMENTED

ACTION CAMPS FROM 2008 TO 2017
57
organizations
53
organizations
1 year 2 years and more
Organizations generally carry out projects for more

than 1 year which shows the sustainability of action
camps.
42
O ver vi ew of a l l regi ons : 2008–2017
6 TYPE OF NGO INVOLVED: IVS ORGANIZATION OR NON-IVS ORGANIZATION
Asia and the Pacific
Arab States
Africa
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
IVS-related organization
Non-IVS related organization
International Voluntary Service (IVS) organizations are the most committed organizations taking part in the WHV
Initiative and implementing action camps across the world.
43
Projects by region
03
12
16 14
Botswana 04
1. Okavango Delta

50 13
2. Tsodilo 06 15
51 05
Cabo Verde Nigeria
3. Cidade Velha, Historic 13. Oke Idanre (Idanre Hill)

62
Centre of Ribeira Grande
52 14. Sukur Cultural Landscape
63
Côte d’Ivoire
Togo
4. Comoé National Park
53 15. Agglomération
5. Historic Town of Aného‑Glidji
64
Grand‑Bassam
54 16. Koutammakou, the Land
6. Taï National Park of the Batammariba
55 65
Kenya Uganda
7. The African Great Rift Valley 17. Bwindi Impenetrable
- The Maasai Mara National Park
56 67
8. Fort Jesus, Mombasa 18. Rwenzori Mountains
57 National Park
9. Sacred Mijikenda 68
Kaya Forests 19. Tombs of Buganda Kings
58
at Kasubi
69
Madagascar
10. Rainforests of the Zambia
Atsinanana 20. Mosi-oa-Tunya /
59
Victoria Falls
70
Malawi
11. Lake Malawi National Park Zimbabwe
60 20. Mosi-oa-Tunya /
Victoria Falls
Mali 72
12. Old Towns of Djenné 21. Matobo Hills
61 73
Africa
19
18
17 07
09
08
11
10
20
02
01
21
©UNESCO
7 Kenya
The African Great Rift Valley - The Maasai Mara
© Jérémie Jung*
Name of Organization Overview of project

Global Voluntary The Maasai Mara National Reserve in the African Great Rift Valley is
Development Association the most visited protected area in Kenya, and is world famous for its
high density of herbivores and predators. However, the area suffers
Year from serious human-wildlife conflicts caused by a rapidly growing
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 human population and accelerating land-use.
This project involved different actors (departments of Forestry and

WHV objectives
Wildlife, community-based organizations (CBOs), NGOs, youth
1 Raise awareness among young
groups, hotels and so on) and strengthened sustainable cooperation
people, volunteers, local communities
among them. With the participation of volunteers, the project’s main
and concerned authorities of the
aim was to create a better-maintained biodiversity in which humans
need to protect and promote World
and the natural world live in harmony.
Heritage.
4 Strengthen sustainable Description and definition of the project as a best
cooperation between non‑profit practice
organisations, site management,
Between 2011 and 2017, the project built 54 Manyatta houses in
different local communities. A Manyatta, also called a Samburu,
5 Identify best practices and
consists of a traditional house (made of local plants and trees)
develop non‑formal education
surrounded by a large wall of thorns, which serves to protect the
tools to facilitate stakeholders’
whole family and their livestock from wildlife attacks. Volunteers
participation in the World
planted local plants and trees and learned traditional construction
Heritage education.
methods by working with local communities to build the Manyatta.
They also helped to reduce conflict stemming from the opposing
needs of local communities and the tourist industry (developmental)
and the reserve (sustainable conservation). By distributing leaflets
in the markets and giving lessons in schools, the volunteers helped
to raise awareness about the importance of heritage preservation.
46
Proj ect s by re gio n:
Best practices
Af rica
“
The local communities actively participated in the project by You could see that the local
sharing and teaching Maasai culture. They not only benefited volunteers were people who
from an improved living environment, but also watched their were really interested in their
heritage, who had real knowledge
young children learn many practical skills and improve their
about the site and wanted to learn
knowledge about heritage by talking with the international
more and transmit this knowledge
volunteers and exchanging information. The families grew to the international volunteers.
more willing to get involved in the project and more supportive Some local volunteers were also
of sending their children to school to learn more about living history and tourism students and
sustainably alongside nature. for them it was really useful to
„
be able to reach out to the schools,
to also be leaders, to really own
Main lessons learned and impact
the project.
The local communities were an essential part of this project,
“
as they directly contributed to different activities, such as If we can support the mobility
teaching Maasai culture and building Manyatta houses. They of the volunteers at these very
also benefited from the project, as they learned new skills in big sites, we can reach out to
areas like conservation. Involving the communities in this way more communities, as many of them
live in remote areas and it is difficult
helps make them more aware of the need to protect the site
to involve them in the activities
and reinforces the sense of collective belonging to their land.
far from their home. It is very
interesting, but at the same time
How did your WHV project promote youth very challenging, and we've been
participation? working actively on this with the site
Through a mix of practical and awareness-raising activities on managers. They are now dedicating
the site and in schools, the volunteers and the local youth were a small budget to provide transport
and help mobilize more local youth.
„
able to mobilize young people within the community and to
Our organization provides the fuel...
learn about each other’s cultures at the same time.
and the volunteers, they provide the
The link with schools gave the volunteers the chance to acquire work!
new skills and to better understand the importance of both

tangible (the Maasai Mara Natural Reserve) and intangible Returned volunteers reported
heritage (traditional skills, music, literature and so on). The significant increases in their feeling
exchange between the local and the international volunteers of having actively participated
helped to generate ideas on how to meet present and future in preserving, promoting and
protecting cultural heritage
challenges, as well as how to promote education for a culture of
and diversity.
peace and international understanding.
Specif ic skills gained

Volunteers serving in Africa
◆ Teaching skills and learning the Maasai
rated significantly higher on self-
language
confidence than those serving in
◆ Critical thinking
all other regions, also reporting
◆
Environmental and wildlife conservation
skills higher levels of autonomy. Inspiring
the participants to develop their
independence and autonomy is an
Specif ic knowledge acquired explicit objective of international
◆ Local cultures voluntary service projects, and
◆ Traditional construction methods a stepping stone towards their
personal development and active
participation in society: inspiration
Specif ic attitudes developed brings new possibilities and is the
◆ Open-mindedness beginning of the volunteer path.
◆ Adaptation
47
16 Togo
Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba

Frères Agriculteurs Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba, epitomizes the
et Artisans pour le Tammari people’s distinct and dynamic culture. However, the land in
Développement (FAGAD) and around the World Heritage property has been misused over recent
years and Koutammakou was becoming degraded. The traditional
Year mud houses known as Takyenta, or Tata, were being abandoned, and
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 with them, the complex symbolism of their architecture.
2015 2016 2017
This project brought together people from different backgrounds,
strengthening sustainable cooperation between architecture
WHV objectives
1 students and volunteers by developing solutions to rebuild the
Raise awareness among young
damaged site, in particular by replanting the natural species of trees
and concerned authorities of the needed for the regular renovation of the Takyenta.
need to protect and promote World The local community living on the property also shared their cultural
Heritage. knowledge of traditional preservation methods with the volunteers,
3 Empower young people,
empowering them to participate more fully in preserving the site’s
allowing them to learn skills, basic cultural heritage, as well as understanding the richness of the
preservation and conservation intangible heritage linked to the Takyenta and the Batammariba
techniques and raise their capacity
cosmology.
as future decision-makers and active
global citizens. Description and definition of the project as a best
4 Strengthen sustainable
practice
cooperation between non-profit The project involved the local population in addressing the damage
organizations, site management, and misuse of the Koutammkou property by helping them to
communities and authorities. understand its importance, as well as improving the physical
condition of the site through tree planting – an average of 3,000
trees per annum over the past 10 years.
An awareness-raising campaign helped the local community to

become better informed about the importance of preserving the
biodiversity of Koutammakou, so that the Takyenta houses could be
renovated and their cultural value preserved. Communities living on
the property were able to rely on the project for technical support
and maintenance, reporting back on new areas to expand the
© Jérémie Jung*
preservation activities. Volunteers enhanced on-site communication
by developing various digital tools to aid conservation, protection
and visibility.
Linked to the preservation activities was the second component of

the project − the restoration and construction of the Takyenta houses,
which are a rich source of cultural wisdom and values. Collaboration
with a group of architecture students from the local university led
to an important development: a proposal to construct a more
ecological and sustainable prototype using new Tata design and
construction methods. The prototype is currently being validated by
© Nigel Watt the government and is scheduled for testing in the near future.
48
Best practices
Af rica

Despite the challenging geographical situation of
Koutammakou, the project brought together community
actors with a large number of volunteers, some local, some
from hundreds of kilometres away, creating a closer link
between them and Koutammakou. Volunteers successfully
communicated with locals, and convinced them of the
importance of preserving both the property’s biodiversity and
© Jérémie Jung*
the unique culture of the Tammari people.
The local community actively participated in the project and

were able to benefit directly from it. However, through the
project, the need for synergy between the project coordinators
and the government to help develop and implement on-site
innovations soon became evident, e.g. requests for technical
support in tree maintenance from outlying communities who
were too far away to benefit from the project’s innovation
proposals.
© Nigel Watt
How did your WHV project promote youth
participation?
“
The project enhanced youth participation by means of its The problem is that although
awareness-raising activities. The communication between it is a sacred site, locals also
volunteers and local communities helped strengthen their need to use the wood for
their livelihoods and it is therefore
knowledge of the property and its challenges, and gave them
imperative to plant more trees.
an overview of which activities were key to its preservation.
Volunteers collected the different
Furthermore, the plant nursery training empowered youth by seeds, those that they had learned to
„
giving them the technical skills to contribute to the construction recognize from the local community
of the Takyenta houses, and to help conserve their cultural value. and planted them at the tree
nursery.
“
Specif ic skills gained Learning how to step back
◆ Communication and organization skills and be respectful in the way
◆ Project development techniques and skills we engage with people in the
◆ Preservation and restoration techniques village and understand their views,
ultimately making us aware of how
important it was for them to be able
Specif ic knowledge acquired
to preserve, with their heritage, the
„
◆ The importance of promoting and
protecting cultural heritage sites way of life that constitutes a crucial
◆ Understanding of the role of biodiversity element of the site's history, culture
in supporting the preservation of earthen and value.
architecture
◆ Plant nursery techniques
Returned volunteers reported
Specif ic attitudes developed significant increases in their
◆ Learning to be respectful, understanding understanding of local knowledge
and tolerant, especially among other as a key element that can contribute
volunteers to the sustainability of cultural
◆ Being curious and interested in other practices, expressions, artefacts and
cultures and traditions
spaces.
49
1 Botswana
Okavango Delta
© Gertrude M. Matswiri
Name of Organization This Delta in north-west Botswana is made up of permanent
Botswana Workcamps marshlands and seasonally flooded plains; it is one of the very few
Association (BWA) major interior delta systems that do not flow into a sea or ocean, with a
wetland system that is almost intact. One of the unique characteristics
Country of the site is that the annual flooding from the River Okavango occurs
Botswana during the dry season, with the result that the native plants and
animals have synchronized their biological cycles with the event. It is an
Date exceptional example of the interaction between climatic, hydrological
2015 and biological processes. The Okavango Delta is home to some of
the world’s most endangered species of large mammal, such as the
cheetah, white rhinoceros, black rhinoceros, African wild dog and lion.
Project highlights and achievements

◆ Disseminating information among the local population on
how to sustainably conserve the Delta.
◆ Sensitizing locals to live peacefully alongside wild animals
and enjoy the Delta without threatening its flora and fauna.
◆ Increasing the animal and plant population.
Activities
◆
Attending classes on the conservation of the Okavango
Delta and alternative means of survival other than hunting
and harvesting of wild plants.
◆ Planting indigenous trees.
◆ Cleaning the Delta.
◆ Collecting data on the animals and plants.
50
Af rica
2 Botswana
Tsodilo
With one of the highest concentrations of rock art in the world, Tsodilo has more than 4,500 paintings preserved
in an area of just 10 km2 in the Kalahari Desert. With an archaeological record detailing human activities and
environmental changes over at least 100,000 years, Tsodilo is considered by local communities as a place of
worship, frequented by ancestral spirits.
Name of Organization Project highlights and achievements

Botswana Workcamps ◆ Preserving and protecting the culture of the First People of
Association (BWA) The Kalahari.
◆ Conserving the environment of Tsodilo, home to a wide range
Country of birds, plants and other forms of wildlife.
Botswana
◆ Motivating local communities in remote areas to develop a
greater interest in the preservation of culture, history and the
Date
environment.
2013
Activities
◆ Improving site access by enlarging service roads to Tsodilo
Hills and the museum.
◆ Re-establishing trails and footpaths from the museum to the
Hills.
◆ Meetings and discussions with the community.
© OUR PLACE The World Heritage Collection / Geoff Mason *
51
3 Cabo Verde
Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande
The town of Ribeira Grande, renamed Cidade Velha in the late eighteenth century, was the first European colonial
outpost in the tropics. Located in the south of the island of Santiago, the town features some of the original street
layout and impressive architectural remains, including two churches, a royal fortress and Pillory Square with its
ornate sixteenth-century marble pillar.

Cape Verde Youth ◆
Refurbishing the welcome area close to the old ruins for
Federation (FCJ) better site management.
◆
Awareness campaign on World Heritage conservation
Country through non-formal education workshops in Cidade Velha
Cabo Verde primary and high schools.
Date Activities
2013 ◆
Attending a 14-day programme on World Heritage
conservation.
◆ Environmental and cleaning campaign at historical
monuments.
◆ Awareness campaign at local schools.
◆ Forum on Cultural Heritage: ‘Rethinking Cidade Velha and
the impact of UNESCO declaration of World Heritage’.
© CRA-terre / Ensag
52
Af rica
4 Côte d'Ivoire
Comoé National Park
Characterized by its great plant diversity, the Comoé National Park, situated in the north-east of Côte d’Ivoire and
with a surface of 1,149,450 ha, is one of the largest protected areas in West Africa. Thanks to the Comoé River, which
runs through the Park, plant groups that are usually found further south, such as the shrub savannahs and patches
of thick rainforest, make the property an outstanding example of a transitional habitat between the forest and the
savannah, and engender a wide variety of wildlife species.

Jeunes Volontaires pour ◆
Involving youth in the site’s continued preservation and
l’Environnement Côte sustainable development.
d’Ivoire ◆ Bringing together local communities, and particularly young
women, in the site’s conservation.
Country
Côte d'Ivoire Activities
◆ Reforesting.
Date ◆ Maintenance of the site and the villages around the park.
2016
◆ Cleaning activities.
◆ Working with local women to design stoves that use less
firewood, helping to reduce deforestation in the park.
◆ Running awareness-raising activities.
◆ Sensitizing the local population about the importance of the
site’s preservation.
◆ Sharing knowledge and understanding about the site with local
youth, women and hunters.
‘The local communities and authorities have become aware that they need to bring in young people and involve them in
protection activities, to the point where volunteer projects now appear in the site management plan and there is even a small
budget to support the participation of local youth from the communities.’
53
5 Côte d'Ivoire
Historic Town of Grand-Bassam
Name of Organization The Historic Town of Grand-Bassam was the former administrative
centre of Côte d’Ivoire between 1893 and 1900, during French rule.
Actions pour la
Mobilisation des Initiatives An outstanding example of a late nineteenth/early twentieth-century
et Stratégies d'Aide colonial town, it follows a planning concept based on specialist

au Développement - quarters for commerce, administration and housing for Europeans and
AMISTAD Africans, in which vegetation plays an important role. It bears witness
to the complex social relations between Europeans and Africans at the
Country time, and to the subsequent independence movement.
Côte d'Ivoire
Date ◆
Increasing visibility of the different structures that make
2015 up the ‘Quartier France’ in Grand-Bassam, and the nearby
beach, for the benefit of tourists and the local population.
Activities
◆ Attending a workshop on the sustainable management of
heritage.
◆
Running a sensitization, information and communication
campaign about conservation, valorization and the
sustainable management of the heritage.
◆ Reforesting.
◆ Gardening.
◆ Carrying out site maintenance.
◆ Planting trees.
◆ Clean-up activities.
© Actions pour la Mobilisation des Initiatives et Stratégies d’Aide au Développement -AMISTAD
54
Af rica
6 Côte d'Ivoire
Taï National Park
With its rich natural flora and threatened mammal species, including the pygmy hippopotamus and 11
species of monkey, Taï National Park is one of the last major remnants of the primary tropical forest of West
Africa.

ASBL Kouady ◆
Working towards the restoration and preservation of the
Park’s biodiversity and natural resources that support the
Country ecosystem and daily life of the local population.
Côte d'Ivoire ◆ Addressing deforestation by reducing the use of firewood in
villages surrounding the Park.
Date
◆ Helping local residents understand the importance of
2016
preserving the carbon sinks of the Park.
Activities
◆ Restoring the site.
◆ Planting trees.
◆ Co-constructing and distributing eco-friendly stoves for
households in 10 villages surrounding the Park.
◆ Creating an eco-citizen youth club.
55
7 Kenya
The African Great Rift Valley - The Maasai Mara
Name of Organization This project is a best practice; please refer to page 46 for its description.
Global Voluntary
Development Association
(GVDA)
Country
Kenya
Date
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
© Jérémie Jung* © Global Voluntary Development Association
© Jérémie Jung*
56
Af rica
8 Kenya
Fort Jesus, Mombasa
Fort Jesus is one of the most outstanding and well-preserved examples of a sixteenth-century Portuguese
military stronghold. Built between 1593−1596 by the Portuguese to protect the port of Mombasa, the Fort was
designed by Giovanni Battista Cairati and reflects the Renaissance ideal of perfect proportions and geometric
harmony in the human body. The property covers an area of 2.36 ha, including the fort's moat and immediate
surroundings.

Global Voluntary ◆ Promoting the conservation and sustainable use of national
Development Association heritage.
(GVDA) ◆ Generating, documenting and sharing research.
◆ Collecting management knowledge, information and
Country
encouraging innovation.
Kenya
Activities
Date ◆ Promoting World Heritage.
2012 2013
◆ Raising awareness about international volunteers and local
community.
◆ Training and empowering the community.
◆ Preserving and promoting natural heritage.
◆ Running a clean-up campaign.
◆ Planting trees.
◆ Painting monuments.
◆ Organizing workshops and rallies.
◆ Training tour guides.
◆ Training staff and the local community about heritage.
◆ Developing a site brochure.
© Jérémie Jung*
57
9 Kenya
Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests
The Mijikenda Kaya Forests are made up of 11 separate forest sites, spread over some 200 km along the coast,
containing the remains of numerous fortified villages, or kayas, built by the Mijikenda people. Created in the
sixteenth century but abandoned by the 1940s, the kayas are now regarded as the abodes of ancestors and
revered as sacred sites, maintained by councils of elders.

Kenya Voluntary ◆ Increasing local people’s awareness about the preservation
Development Association of World Heritage, cultural diversity and biodiversity through
mutual learning with the volunteers.
Country ◆ Recognizing and promoting voluntary service.
Kenya
Activities
Date ◆
Conserving the Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forest in close
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 cooperation with medium- and long-term volunteers and
workers of the Shimba Hills Forest Guides Association to
develop the tourism potential of the site.
◆ Planting trees.
◆ Brick-making activities with environmental clubs in schools.
◆ Training on entrepreneurship and environmental best
practices.
‘Another unique aspect of the project is the interaction with the local community. Volunteers stay in a place slightly outside
the World Heritage site, where they have the chance to see and experience rural life in the country, and how people live and
survive. This also challenges the way they see their own life, their day-to-day back at home.’
© Jérémie Jung*
58
Af rica
10 Madagascar
Rainforests of the Atsinanana
© YA4SD MADA © YA4SD MADA
Name of Organization The Rainforests of the Atsinanana are made up of six national parks
along the east side of the island. These relict forests are critical to the
Malagasy Youth for
Sustainable Development survival of Madagascar’s unique biodiversity, which reflects the island’s
(MY4SD) geological history − having separated from all other land masses more
than 60 million years ago, Madagascar’s plant and animal life evolved
Country in isolation.
Madagascar
Date ◆
Raising awareness about the site’s severe degradation in
2013 2014 2015 2016 recent years due to deforestation, illegal exploitation of
rosewood, wildfires and poaching.
◆ Contributing to the site’s sustainable development and
encouraging the local community to get involved in its
preservation.
◆ Implementing practical activities on preservation.
◆ Empowering young people and local communities in natural
resources management.
Activities
◆ Conducting site maintenance.
◆
Running educational programmes and events with local
communities.
◆ Organizing workshops to deepen understanding of the site
and its preservation.
◆ Sharing alternative techniques for stove design and growing
vegetables.
59
11 Malawi
Lake Malawi National Park
Located at the southern end of the vast expanse of Lake Malawi, the National Park is home to many hundreds
of fish species, nearly all endemic. Its importance for the study of evolution is comparable to that of the finches
of the Galapagos Islands.

Active Youth Initiative ◆ Creating synergies between the key actors in the conservation
for Social Enhancement and protection of Lake Malawi National Park.
(AYISE) ◆
Awareness campaign on World Heritage conservation
through non-formal education workshops in Cidade Velha
Country
primary and high schools.
Malawi
Activities
Date ◆ Awareness-raising campaign in the park’s 12 small islands.
2010 2011 2012 ◆ Training on World Heritage issues.
◆ Information campaign on the protection of World Heritage
sites.
© UNESCO/ Lazare Eloundou Assomo
60
Af rica
12 Mali
Old Towns of Djenné
© FEMACAU
Name of Organization Founded in 250 BC, Djenné became a market centre and an important
link in the trans-Saharan gold trade. In the fifteenth and sixteenth
Fédération Malienne
des Clubs, Centres et centuries, it was one of the centres for the propagation of Islam. Its
Associations UNESCO traditional houses, of which nearly 2,000 still survive, are built on
hillocks (toguere) as protection from the seasonal floods.
Country
Mali Project highlights and achievements
◆ Contributing to the protection and restoration of Djenné’s
Date cultural heritage by improving sanitation.
2017 ◆ Raising awareness about cultural heritage among the local
population, especially at local schools.
Activities
◆ Installing information panels and signs, indicating the site’s
buffer zone and enhancing waste management.
◆ Organizing a World Heritage conference with debates and
discussions on peace and cultural heritage.
◆ Developing an educational guide about World Heritage.
◆ Sensitizing the local population about the protection of Djenné.
61
13 Nigeria
Oke Idanre (Idanre Hill)
A high plain, with spectacular valleys with inselbergs approximately 914 m above sea level, Oke Idanre (Idanre
Hill) is home to Owa's Palace, shrines, the Old Court, Belfry, Agbooogun foot print, thunder water (Omi Aopara)
and burial mounds and grounds. The area also boasts diverse and variegated ecosystems of flora and fauna.

Voluntary Workcamps ◆
Increasing local awareness of heritage preservation
Association of Nigeria and boosting youth involvement through surveys and
(VWAN) maintenance work at the site.
Country Activities
Nigeria ◆ Running an awareness-raising campaign about World
Heritage involving natives, local groups and visitors.
Date ◆ Producing a promotional video.
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2017 ◆ Holding an interactive forum.
◆ Organizing a picture gallery and an album for publication.
◆ Conducting maintenance activities.
‘After a few years of work and projects, the UNESCO National Commission is now also supporting us in the project
organization and is visiting us. This cooperation with them has been amazing! We are working with our State's
Ministry of Culture and Tourism and everybody shows concern. This very much helped in mobilizing youth and other
local organizations at the site.
The official letters sent by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre have been instrumental in connecting us with
decision-makers. The UNESCO National Commission would immediately follow up and relay the information to
state level, ministries, site managers and prominent Chiefs, and we hold stakeholder meetings every year that help
raise the awareness of the local youth and NGOs.
The visibility of the Initiative on the UNESCO website, where all the projects are published, has been very important.
Now not only people from our organization join the camp, but also youth from different states. They are all ready
to sacrifice a lot to be able to come to the site, so that we don’t feel it fair to refuse anyone, and we have expanded
the project’s scope to make sure everyone can work together. We couldn't have imagined that and we follow up
with them after the project, creating new ideas and activities, sharing the passion for their own, and our common,
cultures and heritage.’
© Voluntary Workcamps Association of Nigeria (VWAN)
62
Af rica
14 Nigeria
Sukur Cultural Landscape
© Ishanlosen Odiaua
Name of Organization The Sukur Cultural Landscape, with the Palace of the Hidi on a hill
dominating the villages below, the terraced fields and their sacred
Grassroots Lifesaving
Outreach symbols, and the extensive remains of a former flourishing iron
industry, is a remarkably intact physical expression of a society and its
Country spiritual and material culture.
Nigeria
Date ◆ Sharing the Sukur culture and knowledge with international
2017 and local volunteers.
◆ Passing on traditional methods of construction, with
volunteers helping make the site more accessible to visitors.
Activities
◆ Building three native eco-lodges to accommodate visitors,
researchers and tourists.
◆ Learning the traditional architectural skill of mixing clay
with grasses and stones.
◆ Visiting cultural sites, including ritual places.
◆ Learning Sukur’s traditional management system.
◆ Learning about Sukur iron craft from local blacksmiths.
◆ Raising awareness about the project.
63
15 Togo
Agglomération Aného-Glidji
Dating back to the late seventeenth/early eighteenth century, the ancient city of Aného-Glidji, was founded by
the Guin immigrants, who settled there following the wars with the Ashanti of present-day Ghana, conquering
the natives, imposing their language and creating their own civilization. Its seaside location facilitated maritime
exchanges with the West, including the slave trade and other kinds of commerce. In 1897, under German
colonization, Aného became the capital city of the ‘model colony’ that was Togo.

Les Amis de la Terre ◆ Sensitizing the local community, particularly the youth, to
Aného’s cultural heritage in the context of World Heritage.
Country
Activities
Togo
◆ Preserving sites and Guin cultural practices with the local
Date community and civil society organizations, schools and

state services.
2010 2011
◆ Liaising with the ministries responsible for running a World
Heritage campaign.
◆ Holding round table discussions.
◆ Maintaining historical sites.
64
Togo Af rica
16
Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba
The Koutammakou landscape in north-eastern Togo, which covers over 50,000 ha and extends into neighbouring
Benin, is home to the Batammariba, whose remarkable mud tower-houses (Takyentas or Tatas) have come to be
seen as a symbol of Togo. In this landscape, nature is intertwined with the rituals and beliefs of the Batammariba,
and social structure, farmland and forest are all reflected in its iconic architecture.
Four organizations have carried out projects at the World Heritage site over the last decade:
Name of Organization This project is a best practice; please refer to page 48 for its
description.
FAGAD (Frères Agriculteurs
et Artisans pour le
Développement)
Country ‘The problem we had was more an organizational one, as we

weren't able to publicize it as something special and to give it more
Togo
visibility and sustainability. That was before the WHV Initiative
started, giving projects a much greater profile...’
Year WHV
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
2015 2016 2017
Name of Organization
Country
Togo
Year WHV
2016 2017
65
Association Ma Terre-Mon ◆
Repairing traditional Tatas that were damaged due to
Village torrential rains.

◆ Preserving the plants used to build the Tatas.
Country
◆ Creating partnerships between young people, local
Togo
community, local youth organizations and the site
management.
Year WHV
◆ Raising awareness about the site’s preservation and
2016
sustainability.
Activities
◆ Restoring and plastering the Tatas, learning and using
traditional techniques.
◆ Protecting the trees used to build Tatas from bush fires.
◆ Training on site preservation.
◆ Running workshops on the preservation and maintenance
of the Tatas.

Association des Jeunes ◆
Contributing to the restoration of places of worship,
Volontaires pour sanctuaries and sacred objects at Koutammakou.
le Développement ◆ Raising awareness among the local population to enhance
Communautaire (AJVDC) the existing balance and harmony between the natural
environment and traditional cultural activities.
Country
Togo Activities
◆ Participating in preservation activities.
Year WHV ◆ Cleaning activities around the sanctuaries and paths.
2017
◆ Treating ravines around the site to prevent erosion and
bushfires.
◆ Workshops and group discussions to raise awareness among
local youth.
◆ Learning about the site and sanctuaries, management and
conservation.
© Jérémie Jung*
66
Af rica
17 Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, covering 32,000 ha, is known for its exceptional biodiversity and is
characterized by steep hills and narrow valleys. The park is an important water catchment area, serving the
surrounding densely populated agricultural land, and is one of the few large expanses of forest in East Africa
where lowland and montane vegetation communities meet.

Uganda Voluntary ◆ Identifying different possibilities for innovative, non-formal
Development Association and informal learning approaches to intercultural and
(UVDA) international volunteering projects.
◆ Expanding the capacity for intercultural and international
Country
volunteer projects.
Uganda
◆ Understanding the role of voluntary experiences in promoting
the core values of heritage sites and cultural values.
Date
◆ Providing a sound basis for tourism by supporting long-term
2014 2015 2016 2017
cultural heritage through sustainable and cost-effective
management of cultural resources.
‘We made a local festival into an Activities

international one, valorizing the ◆ Mobilizing youth in volunteering activities.
musicians from the community, who
◆ Sensitizing youth and local communities.
in turn helped us by carrying our
message and writing songs about ◆ Running an awareness-raising workshop involving
heritage that help us in schools.’ communities.
◆ Conducting debates, reflections and exchanges on World
Heritage issues.
◆ Screening films on heritage conservation, preservation and
protection.
◆ Conserving and promoting the site.
◆ Producing a documentary on the experience.
© Uganda Voluntary Development Association
67
18 Uganda
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
© Uganda Voluntary Development Association
Name of Organization Rwenzori Mountains National Park, covering nearly 100,000 ha, forms
the main part of the Rwenzori mountain chain. The region's glaciers,
Uganda Voluntary
Development Association waterfalls and lakes make it one of Africa's most beautiful alpine areas.
(UVDA) The park is home to a large number of endangered species, such as the
forest elephant and eastern chimpanzee, as well as many bird species.
Country It also contains the richest and rarest alpine flora in Africa, including
Uganda giant heather, lobelias and groundsels.
Date Project highlights and achievements

2015 2016 2017 ◆ Protecting the Park’s flora and fauna by carrying out
activities in the buffer zone of the property’s protected area.
◆ Making the Park more visible to the local population in order
to increase their sense of ownership and belonging.
‘We mostly work on education and
awareness with schools and Activities
communities at three different World
◆ Planting endemic tree species in the buffer zone.
Heritage sites in the country. We
agreed to continue the sensitization ◆ Building park boundaries for sustainability and for the
work done at the WHV action camps protection of endangered species.
throughout the year by having full-
◆ Planting unpalatable crop gardens around the site to prevent
time national and international long-
primates from crossing into community gardens.
term volunteers to support the site
managers, and youth volunteering ◆ Attending sensitization workshops.
activities are now included in their
◆ Organizing events for local schools and the community.
strategic plan.’
68
Af rica
19 Uganda
Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi
© Jérémie Jung*
The Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi can be found in a site embracing almost 30 ha of traditionally farmed hillside
within the Kampala district. At the heart of the site on the hilltop is the former palace of the Kabakas of Buganda, built
in 1882 and converted into a royal burial ground in 1884. Four royal tombs now lie within the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga,
the main building, which is circular and surmounted by a dome. It is a major example of an architectural achievement
using organic materials, mainly wood, thatch, reed, wattle and daub. The site's main significance, however, lies in its
values of belief, spirituality, continuity and identity.

Uganda Voluntary ◆ Identifying different opportunities for innovative, non-formal
Development Association and informal learning approaches to intercultural and
(UVDA) international volunteering projects.
◆ Building skills to improve contribution to volunteer projects.
Country
◆ Promoting the core values of heritage sites and cultural
Uganda
values to participants and the communities.
Date ◆ Supporting long-term cultural heritage through sustainable

2012 2013 2014 2016 and cost-effective management of cultural resources by
providing a sound basis for sustainable tourism.
Activities
◆ Planting trees.
◆ Producing awareness and advocacy materials.
◆ Screening cultural films.
◆ Running awareness-raising workshops involving the
communities.
◆ Conducting debates, reflections and exchanges on World
Heritage issues.
69
20 Zambia
Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls
The Victoria Falls are one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. The Zambezi River, which is more than
2 km wide at this point, plunges down a series of basalt gorges and raises an iridescent mist that can be seen
for more than 20 km. The fragile ecosystem of the riverine rainforest within the waterfalls’ splash zone is also of
particular interest.
Three organizations have carried out projects at the World Heritage site over the last decade - two on the
Zambian side of the site and one on the Zimbabwean side.

YAZ (Youth Association ◆ Preserving the World Heritage site of Victoria Falls.
of Zambia) ◆ Involving young people in the preservation and protection of
the falls’ ecological system.
Country
◆ Running awareness-raising activities to stimulate community
Zambia
ownership and participation in conserving natural heritage.
Year WHV Activities

2009 2010 2011 2013 ◆ Renovating the footpaths around the site.
◆ Bringing the local community together with tourists to
discuss World Heritage issues.
◆ Helping to preserve and valorize the site.
◆ Promoting education for sustainable development through
the use of eco-friendly material for signposts and the
construction of an upstream barrier to prevent soil erosion
and pollution.
◆ Involving the local youth in voluntary service to protect the
natural heritage of Victoria Falls.
◆ Organizing study sessions on topical issues such as climate
change.

Youth 2 Youth in Zambia ◆
Resolving the effects and damage caused by the high
(Y2Y) number of visitors to the site and the rapid growth of Lantana
Camara, an invasive plant that disturbs the local ecosystem,
Country the biodiversity and the indigenous plants.
Zambia
Activities
Year WHV ◆ Site cleaning activities.
2015 ◆ Removing the Lantana Camara.

◆ Running an anti-litter campaign.
◆ Creating public awareness among locals and tourists about
the site’s protection and preservation.
◆ Participating in local traditional ceremonies and other
celebrations to promote cultural heritage and international
relations.
70
Af rica
‘We are taking advantage of the field experience of two local partners in the area, who also mobilize local
volunteers and we are blending it with our own expertise. They support us with materials, local transport and
registration with the local authorities, while we ensure the recruitment of national and international volunteers,
camp leaders and coordination with experts from the government and the national park, who provide specific
knowledge in the field of environmental protection and management. So, I think partnerships are really a key to
the success of the project.’
© Evans Musonda
© Silvan Rehfeld
71
20 Zimbabwe
Mosi-oa Tunya / Victoria Falls
Three organizations have carried out projects at the World Heritage site over the last decade − one on the
Zimbabwean side and two on the Zambian side.
See description under ‘Zambia’.

Youth 2 Youth Zimbabwe ◆ Empowering participants to participate fully as equal and
(Y2Y) valuable partners.
◆ Providing a platform for volunteers to work as a team,
Country exchange ideas and knowledge, and strengthen
Zimbabwe intercultural dialogue, as well as improving their knowledge
of global issues.
Date
2014 2015 Activities
◆ Running cultural exchange programmes.
◆ Conserving nature.
◆ Carrying out restoration works.
◆ Recycling.
© Ko Hon Chiu Vincent*
72
Af rica
21 Zimbabwe
Matobo Hills
Matobo Hills is characterized by a mass of distinctive rock landforms, rising above the granite shield that covers much
of Zimbabwe. The large boulders provide abundant natural shelter, act as a rock well, and have been occupied by
humans from the Stone Age right through to early historical times and beyond. They are also home to an outstanding
collection of rock paintings.

Amakhosi Cultural Center ◆ Promoting this amazing natural rock well, the only one of its
kind known in Zimbabwe.
Country ◆ Involving villagers in an awareness-raising campaign on
Zimbabwe the heritage value of the rock well to their community,
particularly during drought seasons.
Date
◆ Protecting Ntunjambili Cave to save its rock paintings.
2014
Activities
◆ Erecting a fence around the rock.
◆ Mobilizing stakeholders and the community to participate
in the project.
◆ Running awareness-raising workshops at each site.
◆ Collecting and recording stories about the sites from the local
elders.
◆ Bush clearing and cleaning the sites.
◆ Putting up signboards.
◆ Clearing and repairing access roads to the sites.
◆ Building toilets.
◆ Promoting water activities at the dam below the hill.
73
16 18
17 15
07 05 06
Bahrain
1. Qal’at al-Bahrain – Ancient
Harbour and Capital of
Dilmun
80
Egypt
2. Ancient Thebes with
its Necropolis
82
3. Desert Wadis
83
4. Historic Cairo
84
Morocco Qatar
5. Archaeological Site of 12. Al Zubarah
Volubilis Archaeological Site
85 93
6. Medina of Fez
86 Sudan
7. Rabat, Modern Capital 13. Dinder National Park
and Historic City: a Shared 94
Heritage 14. Sanganeb Marine
87 National Park and Dungonab
Bay – Mukkawar Island Marine
Palestine National Park
8. Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town 95
89
9. Old Town of Nablus and Tunisia
its environs 15. Amphitheatre of El Jem
90 96
10. Land of Olives and Vines 16. Dougga / Thugga
– Cultural Landscape of 97
Southern Jerusalem, Battir 17. Kairouan
91 98
11. Tell Umm Amer 18. Medina of Sousse
92 99
Arab
States
09
10
11 08
04
01
02 12
03
14
13
©UNESCO
1 Bahrain
Qal’at al-Bahrain – Ancient Harbour and Capital of Dilmun
Names of Organizations Overview of project

Good Word Society (2013 / The Qal’at (fort) is one of the most historic and culturally vivid places
2015 / 2016) and Arab House in Bahrain, its many layers bearing witness to the country’s dynamic
Foundation (2017) past. About 25% of the property has been excavated, revealing many
different structures − residential, public, commercial, religious and
Year military – which show how important this area was as a trading port
2013 2015 2016 2017 over the centuries. The project gave volunteers a unique opportunity
to explore the property and to excavate under the supervision
WHV objectives of experts, while learning about its history. Volunteers and local
1 Raise awareness among young authorities teamed up to strengthen sustainable cooperation,
people, volunteers, local communities raise awareness and improve their knowledge of the fort’s cultural
and concerned authorities of the significance.
Heritage. Description and definition of the projects as a best practice
3 Empower young people When this project first took place in 2013, its primary target group were
allowing them to learn skills, basic those who were interested in visiting Bahrain and experiencing its
preservation and conservation culture. It aimed to promote the ancient Dilmun civilization and Arabic
techniques and raise their capacity culture through maintenance activities, such as cleaning and planting
as future decision-makers and active trees and exploring the property. Volunteers were also able to carry out
global citizens. excavation work, thanks to training provided by experts in the field.
There was an increase in international volunteer applicants thanks to
cooperation between non-profit
the project’s continued commitment and evolution (from 15 in 2013
organizations, site management,
to 80 in 2017). The project was also able to attract a new target group
of PhD candidates majoring in heritage studies in the context of the
Middle East.
The project successfully enlarged its outreach and accessed more

resources by working with the Arab Regional Centre for World
Heritage (ARC-WH), which has become the main sponsor since the
project entered its second cycle.
Local communities were closely involved in the project and

contributed by helping with various tasks such as video editing and
designing digital materials.
© Good Word Society
76
Best practices
A rab State s

“ The physical work itself was
directed and supervised by
to a deeper, more practical

„
professionals. This contributed
“
understanding of the site.
The project showed the important role played by recruitment
in ensuring quality. Volunteers were selected based on their
motivation and interest in discovering a new culture and in The presence of local and
gaining knowledge and skills to promote and protect heritage. national volunteers is something
Their commitment and efforts strengthened partnerships and that really changed the way
local community involvement. people talked about heritage in the
project, because it’s their heritage.
„
Extended media coverage, including appearances on local They own it and they want to
programmes such as the Gulf Daily News, gave high visibility transmit it, to talk about it to the
to the project and had a positive effect on its development, other volunteers and the tourists.
reinforcing the value of Bahrain’s historical heritage. The

organization of open seminars for visitors and local communities
further contributed to raising awareness about the values and
impacts of the project.

participation?
The project enhanced youth participation by actively involving
them in the organization and development of a media campaign.
Volunteers promoted the property on the social media widely
used by young people in Bahrain, such as Facebook and
Instagram. The volunteers also promoted programmes aimed
at younger tourists, in order to raise awareness of world heritage
preservation in general and the Bahrain Fort in particular, as
one of the most important historical places in the region.
significant increases in their
Specif ic skills gained knowledge of the cultures and
◆ Organization skills heritage of the hosting country
◆ Project planning and management skills where the project took place.
◆ Preservation and restoration techniques
◆ Excavation and archaeological techniques Returned volunteers reported
◆ Media campaign development significant increases in their
willingness to commit to take
action for the preservation of
cultural heritage and diversity.
◆ Understanding the importance of
promoting and protecting cultural sites
Volunteers coming from sending
◆ The role of the property’s history and
organizations that were members
civilization in the region
of international networks rated
themselves higher on social
Specif ic attitudes developed integration and overall satisfaction,
◆ Respect, understanding and tolerance and reported themselves as more
◆ Curiosity about other cultures and capable in managing conflicts.
traditions
77
10 Palestine
Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of
Southern Jerusalem, Battir

International Palestinian This dry-stone architecture of this World Heritage property dates
Youth League – IPYL back more than 3,000 years, and includes an ancient and complex
irrigation system bringing water from natural springs to agricultural
Year lands and homes. The village of Battir, on the outskirts of this cultural
2013 2015 landscape, has been inhabited for over a millennium by farmers who
work the land.
WHV objectives
Through the involvement of volunteers, this project focused on
renovation and maintenance activities in collaboration with experts,
and building awareness of the property’s conservation, with all the
challenges this brings. It showed the importance and benefit of
bringing together different stakeholders, including local communities,
Heritage.
who now proactively promote and protect the property.
cooperation between non-profit Description and definition of the project as a best practice
Under the supervision of engineers and archaeologists, the volunteers
worked on renovation and maintenance activities, such as the cleaning
and rehabilitating of pathways and ancient water canals. They also
participated in a cultural programme on the property’s history and value.
The project successfully brought together the Ministry of Tourism

and Antiquities, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Battir Village Council,
the Battir Landscape Eco-Museum, the UNESCO Office in Ramallah
and the Bethlehem Centre for Cultural Heritage Preservation, who
held discussions with local and international volunteers, giving them
the opportunity to raise their concerns and proposals on how to
overcome the challenges faced by the property.
Thanks to the strong partnership and collaboration between the

government, NGOs and the local communities, the project provided
insight into the property’s state of conservation and its universal
cultural value. Volunteers learned about Palestine’s culture and history
© International Palestinian Youth League (IPYL)
78
Best Practices
A rab State s
“ Understanding the importance

of World Heritage sites is crucial,
practices
especially in a conflict zone.
through a series of lectures and presentations, documentary
When we talk about preserving
films, tours in the old cities of Bethlehem and Hebron, and World Heritage, we are talking
meetings with the local community. The engagement and about preserving identities and
commitment of all stakeholders showed that it is possible to cultures − volunteering gives people
carry out volunteering activities in a conflict zone. the means and the motivation to
„
work with others to safeguard the

value of these places by restoring
and protecting them.
The project represents an outstanding example of collaboration
“
between different actors, from the government to NGOs, civil The awareness of the local
defence, elderly people, volunteers and the visitors to the communities is essential. But
property. All the stakeholders involved came to realize the value as we were living alongside
them, sharing meals and talking to
of such a partnership, and the urgent need to take measures
them, eventually the locals started
to protect World Heritage. The local community became more
participating in the work and
interested in getting involved in the property’s preservation and sharing their own knowledge and
„
development as they became more aware of its potential and stories, which are also essential to
benefits. fully understand the value of the
site.
participation?
By collaborating and working with professional architects,
the volunteers gained valuable renovation experience, and an
increased sense of ownership, responsibility and autonomy.
They learned about Palestine and how to protect the property
© International Palestinian Youth League
through a variety of non-formal education methods. (IPYL)
The project was also part of the #UNITE4HERITAGE and WHV

campaign of 2015, which encouraged youth from Arab States to
Returned volunteers reported a
take part in the WHV Action Camps.
significant increase in respect
towards people who hold different
Specif ic skills gained values, heritage and identity than
◆ Renovation skills and techniques their own.
◆ Communication and advocacy skills
◆ Active listening
◆ Teamwork

significant increases in conflict
◆ Political and military conflict and its impact
management skills. Volunteers
on heritage
used the word ‘cooperation’ to
◆ Site history and conservation status
describe the project experience
◆ Culture of the local community
of managing group conflicts in
◆ On-site challenge management
constructive ways. A greater
confidence in group dynamics and
Specif ic attitudes developed lower levels of conflict avoidance
◆
Empathy (regarding conflicts across the testify to a common willingness
world and people living in conflict zones) and capacity to accept and
◆ Open-mindedness transform potential conflicts into
◆ Adaptation opportunities for growth.
79
1 Bahrain
Qal’at al-Bahrain – Ancient Harbour and Capital of Dilmun
Names of Organizations This project is a best practice; please refer to page 76 for its
Good Word Society and description.
Arab House Foundation
Country
Bahrain
Date
2013 2015 2016 2017
© Good Word Society © Good Word Society
80
2 Egypt
Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis
© Usama Ghazali
Name of Organization Thebes, the city of the god Amon, was the capital of Egypt during
Kome el Dabie Community the period of the Middle and New Kingdoms. With the temples and
Development Association palaces at Karnak and Luxor, and the necropolises of the Valley of the
(KDCDA) Kings and the Valley of the Queens, Thebes is a striking testimony to
Egyptian civilization at its height. The monumental and archaeological
Country complex of Thebes is both aesthetic and informative, as it bears witness
Egypt to the history of Egyptian civilization from the Middle Kingdom to the
beginning of the Christian era.
Date
2012

◆ Raising awareness among students and youth about
Ancient Thebes.
◆ Planning activities at the Necropolis sites to promote the
Nagada and Nubet civilizations.
Activities
◆ Running five cultural heritage drawing workshops for
students in local schools.
◆ Organizing a field trip to the World Heritage site with 60
local students.
◆ Site cleaning activities.
© Usama Ghazali
82
A rab State s
3 Egypt
Desert Wadis
Wadi Gemal is a fascinating unpolluted site on the Red Sea coast, rich in biodiversity. Wadi Gemal Island, located
near the Wadi delta, is of special international importance, as it serves as a haven for breeding and migratory birds,
and is one of the important breeding spots for sea turtles along the Egyptian Red Sea coast. In addition, prehistoric,
Ptolemaic and Roman remains abound, as well as ancient emerald quarries, not to mention the indigenous people
who live there and their exceptional local traditions and culture.
Two organizations have carried out projects at the World Heritage site over the last decade:

◆ Encouraging the local community, and especially young people, to learn more about Wadi El Gimal
National Park.
◆ Promoting the significance of the mangrove forest, the conservation of endangered birds and their
migration route.
◆ Increasing local involvement in the conservation of Wadi Gimal National Park’s natural heritage.
Name of Organization Activities

Red Sea Parks Association ◆ Organizing three educational symposiums.
(RSPA) ◆ Painting competition.
◆ Running field trips.
Country
Egypt
Date
2012
Name of Organization Activities

Eco-Tourism Association ◆ Bird watching.
Marsa Alam ◆ Running educational activities and workshops in schools.
◆ Organizing a local heritage and environmental festival on
Country
the Park’s mangrove coast for students, including drawing
Egypt
activities, local dance, handicrafts and games.
◆ Designing and installing signs for tourists and visitors.
Date
2014 ◆ Running a cleaning campaign in the mangrove forest with
the local community.
◆ Visit to Wadi Gimal island and mangrove tree forest.
83
4 Egypt
Historic Cairo
Name of Organization Tucked away in the modern urban area of Cairo lies one of the world's
oldest Islamic cities, with its famous mosques, madrasas, hammams
Youth and Development
and fountains. Founded in the tenth century, it became the new centre
Consultancy Institute –
Etijah of the Islamic world, reaching its golden age in the fourteenth century.
Country Project highlights and achievements

Egypt ◆ Promoting and raising awareness about Historic Cairo’s
monuments to deepen understanding and knowledge of its
Date history and value.
2017 ◆ Encouraging the local community, national and international
volunteers to be involved in the continuous preservation of
the site.
◆ Identifying best practices and creating a sense of citizenship
among the younger generations and the local community.
Activities
◆ Attending work sessions on the value of Historic Cairo, its
preservation and challenges.
◆ Running awareness-raising activities on the preservation of
the monuments.
◆ Producing a documentary about the site and the volunteers’
project experience.
◆ Carrying out maintenance activities.
© Hisham El Rouby
84
A rab State s
5 Morocco
Archaeological Site of Volubilis
© UNESCO / Barbara Blanchard
Name of Organization The Mauritanian capital, founded in the third century BC, became an
important outpost of the Roman Empire and was graced with many
Association chantiers et
fine buildings. Extensive remains of these survive in the archaeological
cultures
site, located in a fertile agricultural area. For a brief period, Volubilis
Country later became the capital of Idris I, founder of the Idrisid dynasty, who is
Morocco buried at nearby Moulay Idris.
2016 ◆ Cleaning and restoring the archaeological site of Volubilis.

◆ Promoting the site, its importance, its history and the need
to protect it.
Activities
◆ Working with specialists to clean and repair the paths
leading to the site.
◆ Participating in debates with the local population and
university students about challenges facing the site.
85
6 Morocco
Medina of Fez
Name of Organization Founded in the ninth century and home to the oldest university in the
world, Fez reached its peak in the thirteen and fourteenth centuries
Association Chantiers des
under the Marinids, when it replaced Marrakesh as the capital of
Jeunes Volontaires (CJV)
the kingdom. The urban fabric and the principal monuments in the
Country medina – madrasas, fondouks, palaces, residences, mosques and
Morocco fountains − all date from this period. Although the political capital of
Morocco was transferred to Rabat in 1912, Fez is still regarded as the
Date country's cultural and spiritual centre.
2015 2016
◆ Refurbishing the Med Kori elementary school, the school
garden and classrooms, located in the medina.
‘The local volunteers were also history
and tourism students, and for them
◆ Raising awareness about the site and the history of Morocco.
it was really useful to be able to reach
Activities
out to the schools, to also be leaders,
◆ Fixing the tables.
to really own the project.’
◆ Conducting wood and marble restoration.
◆ Painting the classroom walls.
◆ Cleaning the school garden and planting new trees.
◆ Working with professionals to learn restoration techniques
for historical walls and buildings.
◆ Running awareness-raising activities through meetings with
local authorities and site visits.
◆ Learning more about the Amazigh (Berber) culture.
© Usama Ghazali
86
A rab State s
7 Morocco
Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City: a Shared Heritage
© UNESCO / Véronique Dauge
Located on the Atlantic coast in the north-west of Morocco, the site is a fusion of an Arab-Muslim past and Western
modernism. Along with the older districts dating back to the twelfth century, the city encompasses the new town,
conceived and built under the French Protectorate from 1912 to the 1930s, which includes royal and administrative
areas, residential and commercial developments and the Jardins d’Essais botanical and pleasure gardens. The new
town is one of the largest and most ambitious modern urban projects built in Africa in the twentieth century.
Three organizations have carried out projects at the World Heritage site over the last decade:

Chantiers Sociaux ◆ Promoting the site of Chellah, its importance, its history and
Marocains (CSM) the need to protect it.
◆ Raising awareness about the site among people who visit
Country Rabat and who are interested in the ancient history of
Morocco Morocco.
Date Activities
2015 ◆ Participating in World Heritage workshops.
◆ Attending training sessions with professionals on
conservation techniques and heritage restoration, such as
masonry, carpentry or roofing.
◆ Gardening.
87
Association chantiers et ◆ Raising awareness about the site and the value of cultural
cultures heritage among residents of the Kasbah of the Udayas, part
of the World Heritage site of Rabat.
Country ◆ Contributing to the site’s preservation.
Morocco
Activities
Date ◆ Participating in restoration.
2017 ◆ Carrying out site maintenance and cleaning activities.
◆ Gardening at the site and its surrounding areas.
◆ Running awareness-raising activities with the local
community.

National Union of Work ◆ Encouraging locals to protect their cultural heritage.
Camps and Volunteers ◆ Contributing to the site’s preservation through gardening
and restoration activities.
Country
Morocco Activities
◆ Gardening activities.
Date ◆ Participating in restoration activities.
2017
◆ Running an awareness-raising campaign on cultural
heritage with workshops and debates, targeting visitors,
local communities and children.
88
A rab State s
8 Palestine
Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town
Name of Organization Hebron is the most important Palestinian city of the West Bank in
terms of demography and economy. With a history dating back
International Palestine
more than 5,000 years, Hebron’s Old City is rich in universal heritage,
Youth League (IPYL)
including the sanctuary of Abraham and many beautiful architectural
Country monuments from the Mamluk period.
Palestine
Date ◆ Reviving the city and developing tourism through renovation
2010 activities in close collaboration with the municipality and

the Hebron Committee for Rehabilitation.
Activities
◆ Renovating two old houses to be used as community centres.
◆ Attending practical and theoretical renovation workshops.
◆ Archiving all the ancient pictures, documents and objects for
a museum on the distinctive Old City of Hebron.
◆ Preserving the city’s cultural heritage.
◆ Repopulating Hebron by rehabilitating the infrastructure
and providing social services.
89
9 Palestine
Old town of Nablus and its environs
Name of Organization Tell Balata, linked with ancient Shechem, represents the earliest
settlement in the Nablus area. It can be found to the east of modern
Multipurpose Community
Nablus, between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. Shechem is
Resource Center (MCRC)
mentioned several times in the Bible, relating Abraham, Jacob and
Country Joseph to the site, the town is referred to as a major Canaanite centre
Palestine ruled by Lab’aya in the fourteenth-century Amarna Letter and also
features in the nineteenth-century Egyptian Execration texts and the
Date Khu-Sebek inscription.
2017
◆ Inspiring youth to promote the old town of Nablus by
organizing activities and cultural education.
◆ Carrying out awareness-raising activities to produce useful
learning tools for youth.
◆ Conducting site maintenance activities.
Activities
◆ Attending classes on heritage, art, music, painting,
photography, documentary and filming.
◆ Planting trees.
◆ Cleaning activities to help promote and preserve the site
environment.
90
A rab State s
10 Palestine
Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of
Southern Jerusalem, Battir
International Palestinian description.

Youth League – IPYL
Year 'The idea of involving the local communities to also act as human
libraries during the projects is working incredibly well to promote
2013 2015
a true understanding of the site.’
‘We also wanted them to get close to the young people living
WHV objectives
here, so they wouldn’t feel exiled and excluded. The volunteers
clearly showed that we can work together as a community and
people, volunteers, local communities gain a lot from this positive attitude. The project also changed
and concerned authorities of the the way the local people perceive their own community. Many
need to protect and promote World people now love the village more!’
Heritage.

91
11 Palestine
Tell Umm Amer
© NAWA for Culture and Arts Association
The first settlement in the site was established during Roman times on Wadi Gaza, close to the seashore. It appears
on the Madaba map under the name of Tabatha, and dates back to between the Byzantine and early Islamic period
(400–670 AD). The site contains the ruins of the monastery of Saint Hilarion (born in 291 AD), with two churches, a
burial site, a baptism hall, a public cemetery, an audience hall and dining rooms. The standard of the facilities at the
monastery made it a popular stopping point for pilgrims and merchants crossing the Holy Land from Egypt to the
Fertile Crescent through the main route of Via Maris.

IWAN Center for ◆ Promoting the site and raising awareness among the
Architectural Heritage − community about its historical and cultural value.
Islamic University of Gaza ◆ Preserving the site by involving and guiding local and
international volunteers in the restoration of the monastery.
Country
Palestine Activities
◆ Participating in a guided tour to learn more about the site.
Date ◆ Working with professionals to re-define and clarify access to
2016 the site.
◆ Site cleaning and gardening activities.
◆ Renovating the baptism basin and the east side walls.
◆ Attending workshops and lectures on the monastery’s history.

Nawa for Culture and ◆ Raising awareness among youth about the recently
Arts Association/Al Khidr restored monastery of Saint Hilarion in order to promote its
Library for Children sustainability and value.
◆ Preserving both tangible heritage at the Saint Hilarion site
Country
in the Gaza Strip and intangible heritage with the Al Khidr
Palestine
Monastery’s oral history collection.
Date Activities
2017 ◆ Carrying out activities, such as collecting historical
testimonies and transforming them into theatre pieces,
related to the site’s tangible and intangible heritage.
◆ Collecting oral history related to Al Khidr Monastery to be
used for a play.
◆ Site cleaning activities at Saint Hilarion.
92
A rab State s
12 Qatar
Al Zubarah Archaeological Site
Name of Organization The walled coastal town of Al Zubarah in the Gulf flourished as a
pearling and trading centre in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth
Qatar Museums
centuries, before it was destroyed in 1811 and then abandoned in the
Country early 1900s. A layer of sand blown from the desert has protected the
Qatar remains of the site’s palaces, mosques, streets, courtyard houses and
fishermen’s huts, its harbour and double defensive walls, a canal, walls
Date and cemeteries. Excavation has only taken place over a small part of
2016 the site, which offers an outstanding testimony to an urban trading

and pearl-diving tradition which sustained the region’s major coastal
towns and led to the development of small independent states that
flourished outside the control of the Ottoman, European and Persian
empires, eventually becoming the modern-day Gulf States.

◆ Contributing to archaeological studies and research.
◆ Promoting the preservation of architectural remains in the
excavated areas of the property.
◆ Conserving Al Zubarah fort to ensure its aesthetic value and
structural resiliency against the harsh climatic conditions.
◆ Giving visibility to and improving understanding of
Qatari culture and heritage among volunteers and local
communities.
Activities
◆ Participating in conservation activities at the Al Zubarah fort
© Qatar Museums and other parts of the property.
◆ Learning how to apply specific conservation techniques for
architectural remains, such as how to apply and remove
plaster.
◆ Building a platform in the north-west tower of the fort,
overlooking the nearby archaeological site, to be used as a
panoramic viewpoint for visitors.
◆ Learning how to write site documentation and conservation
reports.
◆ Involving the local community in awareness-raising events
such as storytelling, lectures and competitions.
93
13 Sudan
Dinder National Park
© Razan Nimir
Dinder National Park (DNP), an area covering 10,292 km2 was one of the first protected areas established in Sudan in
1935. It is a flight path for migratory birds and represents a transition between the Ethiopia plateau and dry savannah
areas. It is also an archaeological site with a rich biodiversity that supports a number of threatened species. However,
the park’s habitat and wildlife are badly degraded and under serious threat.

Sudanese Environment ◆ Reducing conflict between pastoralists and the park
Conservation Society authorities by promoting a sense of conservation among the
(SECS) local communities.
◆ Highlighting the importance of the park through different
Country
media outlets.
Sudan
◆ Documenting local culture and indigenous knowledge.
Date Activities
2014 ◆ Attending a preparatory workshop.
◆ Visiting the park with the local communities.
◆ Holding meetings with the park authorities and pastoralists.
‘There was really a fantastic interaction
◆ Running awareness-raising campaigns with lectures and
with the local community. They
took part in some of the work, and exhibitions.
they contributed with many things ◆ Producing a short documentary on the culture and
including tools, food and drinks.’ indigenous knowledge of local communities and the park’s
local conservation measures and techniques.
94
A rab State s
14 Sudan
Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay –
Mukkawar Island Marine National Park
Name of Organization This property consists of two separate areas. The first, Sanganeb, is
an isolated coral reef – the only atoll in the central Red Sea − located
Sudanese Environment
25 km from the Sudan coast. The second, located 125 km north of
Conservation Society
(SECS) Port Sudan, is made up of Dungonab Bay and Mukkawar Island and
includes a highly diverse system of coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass
Country beds, beaches and islets. The site is home to populations of seabirds,
Sudan marine mammals, fish, sharks, turtles and manta rays.

2016 ◆ Focusing mainly on Dungonab Bay, the project contributed
to the sustainable development and the protection of the
National Park, especially the flora and fauna impacted by
fishing activities.
◆ Running an awareness campaign among the fishing
communities living close to the park’s protected area.
Activities
◆ Planting endemic trees in and around the only school of the
National Park.
◆ Organizing a drawing workshop about the site for local
children.
◆ Organizing a workshop for fishermen to share good practices.
◆ Learning about endangered fish species.
◆ Running awareness-raising events for the local community
with lectures, plays and puppet shows about the importance
of preserving the local flora and fauna for the sustainability
of the site and the communities.
© PERSGA
95
15 Tunisia
Amphitheatre of El Jem
Name of Organization The Amphitheatre of El Jem bears outstanding witness to Roman

architecture, notably monuments built for spectator events. The
Association Tunisienne
free-standing amphitheatre is built entirely of stone blocks, with no
d’Action Volontaire (ATAV)
foundations. In this respect, it is modelled on the Coliseum of Rome
Country although it is not an exact copy of the Flavian construction. Its size
Tunisia (148 m by 122 m) and its capacity (around 35,000 spectators) make it
one of the largest amphitheatres in the world. Built around 238 AD,
Date this architectural and artistic creation plays an important part in our
2014 understanding of the history of Roman Africa.

◆ Educating young people and the local community on the
historical and cultural value of the amphitheatre.
‘In order to involve more volunteers ◆ Cleaning and restoring the monuments, preparing the
from the whole region and not just
auditorium for the annual International Festival of
from our country, we managed
Symphonic Music.
to secure some modest funding
for capacity building and invited
Activities
youth from the neighbouring
countries for a regional training
◆ Participating in a cleaning campaign in the archaeological
session before the camp, in theatre.
which they then participated as ◆ Running an awareness-raising campaign.
volunteers. This way, they could
learn the theory and immediately
◆ Organizing a seminar on the importance of archaeological
benefit from practical experience theatre in the city’s cultural and touristic development.
of the project.’ ◆ Taking part in the preparations for the International Festival
of Symphonic Music.
© UNESCO / Christian Manhart
96
A rab State s
16 Tunisia
Dougga / Thugga
Before the Roman annexation of Numidia, the town of Thugga, built on an elevated site overlooking a fertile plain,
was the capital of an important Libyco-Punic state. It flourished under Roman and Byzantine rule, but declined in the
Islamic period. The impressive ruins that are visible today give some idea of the resources of a small Roman town on
the fringes of the empire.

Association Tunisienne ◆ Promoting and cleaning different parts of the site, involving
d’Action Volontaire (ATAV) local communities and agencies from the city of Dougga.
Country Activities
Tunisia ◆ Restoring and cleaning the ancient outdoor theatre and
its access path to prepare the site for Dougga’s annual
Date international music festival.
2013 ◆ Running workshops presenting the project to locals.

◆ Raising awareness about the site’s heritage.
◆ Documenting the project work with photos and videos.
97
17 Tunisia
Kairouan
Founded in 670 AD, Kairouan flourished under the Aghlabid dynasty in the ninth century.
Despite the transfer of the political capital to Tunis in the twelfth century, Kairouan remained the Maghreb's principal
holy city. Its rich architectural heritage includes the Great Mosque, with its marble and porphyry columns, and the
ninth-century Mosque of the Three Gates. Kairouan is one of the holy cities and spiritual capitals of Islam, one of the
seven holy places of pilgrimage for all Muslims. The Great Mosque is not only one of the major monuments of Islam
but also a universal architectural masterpiece. It has served as a model for several Maghreban mosques, particularly
with regard to its unique, decorative motifs.

Association Tunisienne ◆ Instigating the community’s interest in the medina and their
d’Action Volontaire (ATAV) town.
◆ Encouraging tourist visits.
Country
Tunisia Activities
◆ Sensitizing the local population to the importance of
Date preserving their heritage.
2012 ◆ Running painting workshops.
◆ Planting trees and flowers in the area.
◆ Organizing a seminar about the town’s history and its
cultural role in the region.
98
A rab State s
18 Tunisia
Medina of Sousse
Sousse was an important commercial and military port during the Aghlabid period (800–909 AD) and is a quintessential
town from the first centuries of Islam. With its kasbah, ramparts, medina (with the Great Mosque), Bou Ftata Mosque
and typical ribat (both a fort and a religious building), Sousse was part of a coastal defence system. The Medina of
Sousse bears exceptional witness to the civilization of the first centuries of the Hegira and is an outstanding example
of Arab-Muslim and Mediterranean architecture, reflecting a distinctly traditional way of life.

Association Tunisienne ◆ Making the Medina more attractive and welcoming.
d’Action Volontaire (ATAV) ◆ Increasing the local community’s interest in the Medina and
enhancing their feeling of ownership.
Country
Tunisia Activities
◆ Planting flowers and trees.
Date ◆ Attending an orientation day about the city’s history and its
2012 historical sites.
◆ Visiting museums and the site.
‘The local governments at the site are vital to us, they are doing so well. We explain why we need them to be there, that
they provide food, the space and security.’
© Hafidh Rahoui / Association Tunisienne d’Action Volontaire (ATAV)
99
Bangladesh
1. Lalbagh Fort
106
Cambodia
2. Angkor
107
24
China
3. Ancient City of Ping Yao 11
108
4. Dong Villages 23 22
109
5. The Great Wall
28 29
110
6. Historic Centre of Macao
111
16 15
7. Mount Qingcheng and 17 01
the Dujiangyan Irrigation System
112
8. Mount Sanqingshan National Park
113
9. Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries −
Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Indonesia
Mountains 19. Borobudur Temple Compounds
114 124 14
12
10. Temple and Cemetery of Confucius 20. Prambanan Temple Compounds
and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu 125
115 21. Ujung Kulon National Park 13
126
India
11. Great Himalayan National Park Islamic Republic of Iran 18
Conservation Area 22. Cultural Landscape of Maymand
116 127
12. Group of Monuments at Hampi 23. The Persian Garden
117 128
13. Group of Monuments at 24. The Persian Qanat
Mahabalipuram 128
118
14. Group of Monuments at Pattadakal Japan
119
15. Keibul Lamjao Conservation Area 25. Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its
120 Cultural Landscape
129
16. Mahabodhi Temple Complex
at Bodh Gaya
26. Shirakami-Sanchi
130
121
17. Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell)
at Patan, Gujarat Malaysia
122 27. Melaka and George Town, Historic
18. Western Ghats Cities of the Straits of Malacca
123 131
Asia and
the Pacific 26
05
35
03 33
10 32
36
25
31
34
07
09
08
04
06
38 40
39
30
41
37
02
Nepal 34. Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes

139
28. Kathmandu Valley 35. Namhansanseong
132 140
29. Vajrayogini and early settlement 36. Southwestern Coast Tidal Flats
of sankhu 141
27
134
Thailand
Philippines 37. Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest
30. Rice Terraces of the Philippine Complex
Cordilleras 142
135
Viet Nam
Republic of Korea 38. Central Sector of the Imperial
31. Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi
Dolmen sites 143
19 136
21 39. Citadel of the Ho Dynasty
20
32. Gyeongju Historic Areas 144
137 40. Ha Long Bay
33. Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe 145
and Yangdong 41. Hoi An Ancient Town
138 146
©UNESCO
4 People's Republic of China
Dong Villages

Beijing Tsinghua Tongheng The multi-storey drum tower and altar of Sasui (a Dong heroine)
Urban Planning & Design are the architectural and spiritual heart of a Dong village, forming
Institute, Institute for the central, most important elements of its cultural landscape. The
Historic and Cultural Cities traditions of the Dong ethnic minority are disappearing, along with
of National Importance this rich heritage imbibed with cultural and historic information.
(IHCCNI) From the outset, the project aimed to make sure that the Dong
building technologies were better documented and understood,
Year
both by the local population and the wider public, so that the
2015 2016 2017
knowledge and skills would be preserved for future generations.
WHV objectives Description and definition of the project as a best

3 Empower young people
practice
allowing them to learn skills, basic
The partnership between the volunteers coordinated by the Beijing
preservation and conservation
Tsinghua Tongheng Urban Planning & Design Institute and the Moshi
(traditional guardians and architects of the Dong villages), was based
on the creation of shared space for understanding of cultural and
global citizens.
technical values. The Moshi guided the volunteers through the spiritual
and practical aspects of Dong architecture, sharing knowledge that
develop non-formal education
the participants could immediately put into practice, in particular
by creating smaller scale models of different key elements of the
participation in the World Heritage
drum tower. The volunteers then used computer-aided design (CAD)
education.
techniques to translate the Dong architectural models into electronic
graphics. By simultaneously recording, transcribing and translating
the stories linked to these spiritual architectural complexes, the
volunteers were able to preserve both the construction techniques
and culture of the Dong villages.

The project is an outstanding example of using modern technology
to valorize traditional knowledge and skills, ensure their preservation
and communicate their universal value within and beyond
© Xiaowei Huo
102
Best practices
A s i a a n d t h e Pacif ic
the communities where they were first developed. All the

stakeholders involved, from the villagers and local authorities
“ Most of the national
volunteers had a background
in architecture, urban studies
and conservation. The international
volunteers came from the fields
of cultural studies, anthropology,
to the students and volunteers, were able to benefit from
sociology and journalism. We split
reciprocal technical and cultural education. By working hands-
the group so that there would
on to create the key elements of traditional Dong architecture,
always be one international and
the local, national and international volunteers were able to one national volunteer working
show the deep connections between built and cultural heritage. together, so that we had the human-
„
sciences and architectural-sciences
The project also showed the relevance of non-formal education
backgrounds and visions working
(‘learning by doing’) in the preservation of ancient millenarian together.
practices in danger.

participation?
By being involved in creating the Dong architectural models,
young volunteers and local participants gained a first-hand
understanding of both the technical and cultural aspects of a
traditional technology. They progressively began to recognize
and use symbols and technologies that bridge ancient and © Xiaowei Huo
modern perspectives on heritage preservation, and became

ambassadors of traditional Dong knowledge. Returned volunteers reported
significant increases in their
Specif ic skills gained understanding of local knowledge
as a key element that can
◆ Building models of different elements of
traditional Dong architecture contribute to the sustainability of
◆
Recognizing and using appropriate environmental and cultural sites.
materials and tools
◆ Using technology to help preserve Returned volunteers reported
traditional building techniques and significant increases in their
designs knowledge of the cultures and
◆ Recording, transcribing and translating heritage of the local community
the stories and legends associated with
where the project took place.
the Dong heritage

Specif ic knowledge acquired significant increases in social
◆ Learning about the technical, spatial and integration. ‘Community’, the
symbolic aspects of the unique Dong
architecture word best describing their projects
◆ Recognizing the importance of oral history according to several volunteers,
and transmission is seen as the interdependence of
◆ Learning about both traditional and people and their natural, social
modern design techniques, for the and cultural environment. It takes
preservation of built heritage on a wider meaning and scope
in international voluntary service,
Specif ic attitudes developed beyond territories and boundaries.
◆ Awareness and respect for indigenous The enhanced feeling of social
forms of social and cultural organization integration reported by volunteers
◆ Appreciation of the outstanding technical is a crucial step towards their
and symbolic value of Dong architecture active participation in a diverse
and heritage
global society.
103
20 Indonesia
Prambanan Temple Compounds

DEJAVATO Foundation Built in the tenth century, Prambanan is the largest temple
compound dedicated to Shiva in Indonesia and represents not
Year only an architectural and cultural treasure, but is also evidence of
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 past religious peaceful cohabitation. The project, one of the longest
2015 2016 2017 running camps in the WHV Initiative, focuses primarily on restoration,
working in close cooperation with the site management team to
WHV objectives rebuild the temple and reveal its history. More outreach activities are
2 Involve young people in World progressively being implemented, to involve young students from
Heritage preservation through schools and communities in the area through heritage education.
concrete projects at sites. Teams of archaeologists and volunteers work together to locate,
3 Empower young people dig, clean and assemble the stones of the buildings that were badly
allowing them to learn skills, basic damaged by the 2006 earthquake.

techniques and raise their capacity Description and definition of the project as a best
as future decision-makers and active practice
global citizens. Based at the core of the property, the project is remarkable for its
4 Strengthen sustainable smooth integration of unskilled young local and international
cooperation between non-profit volunteers into the difficult, specialized archaeological work
organizations, site management, coordinated by the site management. The history and value of the
communities and authorities. temple is re-lived as the volunteers learn to locate and recognize the
stones, restore them to their antique splendour through cleaning
techniques learned by copying the specialists, and finally slowly
piece together the cultural puzzle of ancient stories. Once the
compositions are reassembled, each stone plays its part in telling the
temples’ unique story. Recognizing youth as a valuable and much-
needed support for the immense task of preserving and restoring
Prambanan, the project established a new bond of trust, not only
between the site management team and youth, but also with the
communities in the buffer zone that have been first the target and
then the co-actors in integrated educational campaigns on heritage.

The landmark project was the first example of direct, concrete
intervention by young World Heritage volunteers where built
heritage of exceptional significance was endangered by a natural
disaster. The partnership between the site management team
and the project organizers became symbolic of a wider process of
reconstruction of the social and cultural tissue of the communities
surrounding the site, which had been heavily affected by the
2006 earthquake. A growing understanding of interdependence
is reflected in the integrated management plans, to which youth
itself has contributed over the years of the project. The preservation
© UNESCO/CCIVS/Dejavato – Eko Wahyudi
activities in Prambanan have been carried out alongside
104
Best practices
interventions by the site management team, volunteers and

“ The best kind of
management is when you see
enthusiastic people working
site
voluntarily. We must do something
„
local community to revive the economic and creative industries to keep them, even what appears to
in the surrounding villages. be small positive feedback can keep
them motivated.
participation?
The activities at the temple compounds and in the surrounding
communities relied on the strong partnerships built by the
organizers with the site management team, local authorities,
schools and community associations. Beyond skills training
and hands-on work at the temple, both formal and non-formal
learning were engaged, with the use of traditional games in
the elementary schools and joint participation in creative and
cultural activities, such as local and international youth playing
indigenous musical instruments in improvised, multicultural
Javanese gamelan orchestras.

◆ Identifying, cataloguing, cleaning,
restoring and assembling ancient stones
in an extended and damaged architectural
complex © UNESCO/CCIVS/Dejavato – Eko Wahyudi
◆
Organizing and implementing heritage
educational activities at the community
and school levels
◆ Planning and communicating specific
ideas for the management of the property Returned volunteers reported
significant increases in the
technical/manual skills that could
be used to protect and preserve
◆ Awareness of the history and architectural
cultural and/or natural heritage.
features of the property
◆ Recognition of the relationship between
the temple and its social, cultural and
physical environment
◆ Understanding of the complex
interactions between the property and Returned volunteers reported
the surrounding communities, and of the
significant improvements in
potential role of tangible and intangible
heritage in sustaining and reviving the problem-solving. Challenge is
local economy one of the most common words
used by the volunteers to describe
their experience. Beyond national
Specif ic attitudes developed
differences, the analysis indicates
◆
Willingness to participate actively in
World Heritage preservation through a significant increase in volunteers’
the integration of youth work and to problem-solving capacity,
contribute to the site's strategic planning underlining the camp process as
and activities
one that stimulates individual and
◆ Interest in reaching out, raising awareness group confidence and encourages
and mobilizing the communities, and
appreciation of their concern and initiative in approaching and
involvement in the life and conservation of solving personal and common
the temple issues.
105
1 Bangladesh
Lalbagh Fort
Name of Organization Prince Muhammed Azam, third son of the Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb,
began the construction of this fortified palace in 1678-79. Continued by
Education & Cultural
the next viceroy, Shaista Khan, its building stopped after the death of
Society (ECS)
his daughter, Iran Dukht. Her tomb is one of the monuments on the
Country site, which also includes an audience hall with an attached hammam,
Bangladesh and a mosque.
2017 ◆ Raising awareness, involving and empowering young

people.
◆ Strengthening sustainable cooperation.
◆ Developing non-formal education tools for the preservation
of the Fort.
Activities
◆ Finding sustainable solutions to the main problems affecting
the area of the Fort in the old part of Dhaka, such as road
traffic and pollution.
◆ Running a maintenance campaign.
◆ Planting trees.
◆ Running and attending awareness-raising workshops and
events.
© Education & Cultural Society (ECS)
106
2 Cambodia
Angkor
© KACHI
Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites of South-East Asia. The centre of the Khmer Kingdom
for many centuries, it extends over 400 km2, comprising an abundance of temples, hydraulic structures
and communication routes. The site hosts a unique concentration of features testifying to an exceptional
civilization, including spectacular monuments, ancient urban plans and a series of large water reservoirs.

Korea Angkor Cultural ◆ Involving the local community and volunteers in activities
Heritage Institute that promote awareness about preserving Angkor’s
monuments and biodiversity.
Country ◆ Supporting the implementation of a code of conduct for
Cambodia
visitors and communities at the site.
◆ Promoting sustainable tourism and home stays.
Date
2016 Activities
◆ Working with three different international teams of experts,
learning about the techniques used in the archaeological
digs and the stone conservation process.
◆ Cataloguing indigenous natural species, traditionally also
used as medicinal plants.
◆ Running heritage education workshops.
◆ Improving the village’s home-stay sustainable tourism
programmes.
107
3 China
Ancient City of Ping Yao
Name of Organization Ping Yao is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a traditional

Han Chinese city, founded in the fourteenth century. Its urban fabric
Union REMPART/Ruan
reveals how architectural styles and town planning evolved in Imperial
Yisan Heritage Foundation,
Shanghai China over five centuries. Of special interest are the imposing buildings
associated with banking, as Ping Yao was the major financial centre
Country for the whole of China in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
China
Date ◆ Contributing to the restoration of the built heritage and
2012 2013 involving the local community.
◆ Enhancing the international value of local traditional culture
in the historic village of Liang Cun, the original settlement of
Ping Yao.
Activities
◆ Restoring built heritage.
◆ Renovating the local temple using traditional masonry.
◆ Sensitizing international and Chinese volunteers and tourists
from other regions to the heritage of Ping Yao.
◆ Promoting a better understanding of local history and
culture.
108
4 China
Dong Villages
© Xiaowei Huo
This project is a best practice; please refer to page 102 for its description.
Beijing Tsinghua Tongheng
Urban Planning & Design
Institute, Institute for
Historic and Cultural Cities
of National Importance
(IHCCNI)
Country
China
Date
2015 2016 2017
109
5 China
The Great Wall
© The Chinese Society of Education Training Center (CSETC)
In c. 220 BC, under Qin Shi Huang, sections of earlier fortifications were joined together to form a united
defence system against invasions from the north. Construction continued up to the Ming dynasty (1368−1644),
when the Great Wall became the world's largest military structure. Its historic and strategic importance is
matched only by its architectural significance.

The Chinese Society of ◆ Teaching teenagers the basic concepts of World Heritage,
Education Training Center and why the site needs to be protected.
(CSETC) ◆ Learning how to clean and care for historic sites.
Country Activities
China ◆ Working with teachers and assistants using visual aids,
games and group activities to convey the importance of the
Date Great Wall.
2012 2013 2014 2015 ◆ Identifying the Great Wall’s values.
◆ Identifying existing problems, their causes, and possible
solutions.
◆ Producing artwork.
◆ Producing theatre about the protection of the Great Wall.
110
6 China
Historic Centre of Macao
Name of Organization Macao, a lucrative port of strategic importance in the development

of international trade, was under Portuguese administration from
Macao New Chinese
the mid-sixteenth century until 1999, when it came under Chinese
Youth Association
(MNCYA) sovereignty. The historic centre of Macao provides a unique testimony
to the meeting of aesthetic, cultural, architectural and technological
Country influences from East and West. The old streets, with their iconic
China mixture of Portuguese and Chinese buildings, bear witness to one of
the earliest and longest-lasting encounters between China and the
Date West, based on the vibrancy of international trade.
2015 2016 2017
◆ Promoting the image of Macao as a city of unique richness
and diversity of heritage, where different cultures co-exist in
harmony.
◆ Supporting the Feast, one of the most important cultural
festivals deeply rooted in the city’s cultural history.
◆ Running an awareness-raising programme to promote a
better understanding and preservation of Macao.
Activities
◆ Helping with preparations for the Feast of Na-Tcha.
◆ Attending lectures on World Heritage and the heritage of
Macao.
◆ Organizing awareness-raising events.
◆ Attending workshops.
111
7 China
Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System
Name of Organization Mount Qingcheng, dominating the Chengdu plains to the south of the
Dujiangyan Irrigation System, is celebrated in Chinese history as the
The Chinese Society of
birthplace of Chinese Taoism, founded in 142 CE by the philosopher
Education Training Center
(CSETC) Zhang Ling.
Most of the essential elements of Taoism culture are embodied in the

Country
teachings of Taoism, reflected in the temples that were subsequently
China
built on the mountain during the Jin and Tang dynasties. The mountain
resumed its role as the intellectual and spiritual centre of Taoism in the
Date seventeenth century.
2016
◆ Raising awareness among tourists, local residents and the
community about the importance of conservation and
preservation of the surrounding World Heritage.
◆ Improving safety conditions for visitors to the site.
Activities
◆ Researching and analysing the problems affecting the
safety of visitors.
◆ Improving protection measures.
◆ Working on ecological damage.
◆ Carrying out maintenance work.
◆ Promoting public awareness.
◆ Educational activities on World Heritage conservation.
112
8 China
Mount Sanqingshan National Park
Name of Organization Mount Sanqingshan National Park, a 22,950-ha site located in the
west of the Huyaiyu mountain range in the north-east of Jiangxi
The Chinese Society of
Province, has been inscribed for its exceptional scenic quality, due to
Education Training Center
(CSETC) a concentration of fantastically shaped pillars and peaks: 48 granite
peaks and 89 granite pillars, many of which resemble human or
Country animal silhouettes. The area is subject to a combination of subtropical
China monsoonal and maritime influences and forms an island of temperate
forest above the surrounding subtropical landscape. It also features
Date forests, lakes, springs and numerous waterfalls − some of them 60 m
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 high.

◆ Improving safety conditions for tourists at Mount
Sanqingshan National Park.
◆ Promoting a good balance between the growing number of
visitors and respect for the site’s natural environment.
◆ Raising awareness about the importance of protecting the
site, a particular challenge during peak tourist season.
Activities
◆ Securing and repairing paths and signboards.
◆ Cleaning activities.
◆ Promoting public awareness about the site’s biodiversity
and sustainability.
◆ Revising and translating the park signboards into different
languages.
◆ Conducting educational activities at a local school.
113
9 China
Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries - Wolong, Mt Siguniang
and Jiajin Mountains
The Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries, home to more than 30% of the world's pandas classed as highly
endangered, cover 924,500 ha with 7 nature reserves and 9 scenic parks in the Qionglai and Jiajin Mountains.
The sanctuaries constitute the largest remaining contiguous habitat of the giant panda, a relic from the
palaeo-tropic forests of the Tertiary Era, and are also the species' most important site for captive breeding. The
sanctuaries are home to other globally endangered animals, such as the red panda, the snow leopard and
clouded leopard. They are among the botanically richest sites in the world outside the tropical rainforests,
with between 5,000 and 6,000 species of flora in over 1,000 genera.

The Chinese Society of ◆ Ensuring that the biodiversity, ecosystem and habitat of the
Education Training Center giant panda is effectively protected in the World Heritage
(CSETC) property.
◆ Harmonizing the social and economic development of the
Country
human population in the area with the natural environment
China
guidelines for the area.
◆ Promoting the protection of pandas.
Date
2014 ◆ Enhancing international organization and local government
cooperation, participation of biodiversity protection and
management.
Activities
◆ Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries: Identifying safety
measures and improving protection measures.
◆ Carrying out maintenance work.
◆ Training on ‘World Heritage Basics’, ‘Tourist safety at Si-
chuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries’ and ‘World Heritage
outside China’.
114
10 China
Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family
Mansion in Qufu
The temple, cemetery and family mansion of Confucius, the great philosopher, politician and educator
of the sixth and fifth centuries BC, are located at Qufu, in Shandong Province. Built to commemorate him
in 478 BC, the temple has been destroyed and reconstructed over the centuries; today it comprises more
than 100 buildings. The cemetery contains Confucius' tomb and the remains of more than 100,000 of his
descendants. The small house of the Kong family was developed into a colossal aristocratic residence,
of which 152 buildings remain. The Qufu complex of monuments has retained its exceptional artistic and
historic character due to the devotion of successive Chinese emperors over more than 2,000 years.

The Chinese Society of ◆ Participating in educational activities, hands-on work and
Education Training Center scientific research.
(CSETC) ◆ Establishing a sustainable development model for the site.
◆ Enhancing understanding of World Heritage protection.
Country
China ◆ Addressing challenges posed by excessive site tourism.
◆ Promoting the ancient Chinese philosophy of Confucianism.
Date
Activities
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
◆ Interactive educational activities.
◆ Hands-on work at the World Heritage property.
◆ Raising awareness about World Heritage, ancient Chinese
philosophy and traditional culture.
◆ Participating in ancient performances, shadow puppetry,
games and video-making.
‘For awareness-raising activities, we are targeting what we would call both the stakeholders and the stockholders.
For the stakeholders, we're targeting the local communities, aiming to involve them more in environmental protection,
using storytelling, role plays and building guided paths through the site to illustrate their richness. When we refer to
stockholders, these are mainly the local authorities, among whom we are trying to create awareness about the need
to work more with community-development organizations like ours. By mobilizing, for instance, youth for a national
heritage day, so that the government can consider us as partners in preserving the site and as agents of change. We
want them to understand that not every youth and non-governmental organization are running activities for political
reasons, but for community development.’
115
11 India
Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area
The Great Himalayan National Park is characterized by high mountain peaks, alpine meadows and riverine
forests. The property includes the upper glacial and snow meltwater sources of several rivers, and the water
catchments that are vital to millions of downstream users. It is part of the Himalaya biodiversity ‘hotspot’
and includes twenty-five types of forest, along with a rich collection of fauna species, several of which are
threatened.

Field Services and Inter- ◆ Raising awareness about the need to preserve the biodiversity
Cultural Learning (FSL of the western Himalaya among the communities and
India) authorities in the region.
◆ Involving them in this preservation work.
Country
India Activities
◆ Producing materials for presentations for schools and local
Date communities in the site’s buffer zone.
2017 ◆ Running awareness-raising workshops on the area’s
biodiversity.
© IUCN / Graeme Worboys
116
12 India
Group of Monuments at Hampi
Name of Organization The imposing and grandiose site of Hampi was the last capital of
the great Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagar. Its wealthy princes built
FSL India
extravagant Dravidian temples and palaces which drew crowds of
Country admiring travellers between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries.
India Conquered by the Deccan Muslim confederacy in 1565, the city was
pillaged over a period of six months before being abandoned.
Date
2010 2011 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
◆ Raising awareness about heritage.
◆ Involving the local community in conservation activities.
Activities
◆ Planting mango and coconut saplings.
◆ Organizing a drawing competition.
◆ Organizing a craft bazaar event about local food and
handicrafts.
◆ Leading awareness walks and street plays.
‘Most of the volunteers get what we call hard skills and soft skills. One thing that they certainly improve by the end of
the camp is their communication skills, by that I mean also understanding and adapting to the culture and the way of
thinking. But as most of them are students, what for them is exceptional is the very fact of using their hands, going on
the ground and working on a field project of this nature.’
117
13 India
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram
Name of Organization The group of sanctuaries, founded by the Pallava kings, was carved
out of rock along the Coromandel coast in the seventh and eighth
FSL India
centuries. It is famed for its rathas (temples in the form of chariots),
Country mandapas (cave sanctuaries), giant open-air reliefs such as the famous
India ‘Descent of the Ganges’, and the temple of Rivage, with thousands of
sculptures dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
Date
2015 2016
◆ Working with national and international volunteers to raise
awareness among the local community about their World
Heritage.
◆ Involving them in activities to preserve the heritage
monuments.
◆ Developing local ‘Young Guardian’ clubs like those at the site
of Borobudur in Indonesia, to ensure long-term commitment
‘It’s also important to develop long-
and participation.
term projects, that's ideal. This way,
people can see change more clearly. Activities
They can appreciate the changes
◆ Following-up on activities started by local youth, supporting
and what the volunteers’ perspective
them in planning activities for future ‘Young Guardians’.
brings. We have always believed
that volunteers who stay and are ◆ Capacity-building workshops.
committed to an educational process
◆ Planting indigenous casuarina trees.
are also educators, so really, there is
no difference between an educator ◆ Carrying out maintenance activities.
and a volunteer.’ ◆ Producing theatre plays.
◆ Running an awareness tour.
© FSL INDIA
118
14 India
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal
© FSL INDIA
Architectural forms from the north and south of India merge seamlessly together in Pattadakal, Karnataka,
epitomizing the eclectic art movement from the Chalukya dynasty of the seventh and eighth centuries. The
site is home to an impressive series of nine Hindu temples, a Jain sanctuary and the outstanding Temple
of Virupaksha, built c. 740 by Queen Lokamahadevi to commemorate her husband's victory over the kings
from the South.

FSL India ◆ Raising awareness about Pattadakal among the local
community by involving them in activities with international
Country volunteers.
India
Activities
Date ◆ Carrying out site maintenance.
2013 2014 ◆ Planting mango and coconut saplings.

◆ Organizing a drawing competition. Producing artwork.
◆ Organizing a craft bazaar event about local food and
handicrafts.
◆ Leading awareness walks and street plays.
119
15 India
Keibul Lamjao Conservation Area
Name of Organization The Keibul Lamjao Conservation Area tells an extraordinary story of
natural antiquity, diversity, beauty and human attachment. The Loktak
Existence
Lake has a unique ecosystem of floating mats of soil and vegetation,
Country known as Phumdi, the largest of which is home to the fabled Manipur
India brow-antlered deer (Rucervus eldi eldi), also known as the Sangai.

Date
◆ Carrying out activities on a local level to preserve and protect
2017
the Keibul Lamjao Conservation Area.
Activities
◆ Running awareness-raising activities.
◆ Planting trees.
◆ Installing signposts around the site.
◆ Organizing a heritage-themed drawing and painting
competition.
120
16 India
Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya
The Mahabodhi Temple Complex is one of the four holy sites related to the life of the Lord Buddha and to the
attainment of Enlightenment. The first temple was built by Emperor Asoka in the third century BC and the current
one dates from the fifth or sixth century.

Indian Trust for Rural ◆ Creating an effective platform to showcase the rich cultural
Heritage and Development heritage of India.
(IT RHD) ◆ Raising youth awareness of the power of meditation and its
importance for the history and value of the site.
Country
India Activities
◆ Learning about the physical and cultural character of the
Date trees within the Mahabodhi Temple Complex through
2015 Vriksha Shiksha (tree education).
◆ Developing skills in collating and correlating information on
heritage-related issues.
◆ Excavating at the archaeological site of Telhara.
◆ Preserving and documenting ancient sites.
◆ Visiting the museums in Patna, Bodhgaya and Nalanda.
◆ Learning about preservation, displaying ancient relics and
the basic concepts of museology.
◆ Attending workshops.
◆ Hosting quizzes.
◆ Running photography contests.
121
17 India
Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat
© Exilir Foundation
Rani-ki-Vav is an exceptional example of a distinctive form of subterranean water architecture of the Indian
subcontinent. Initially built as a memorial in the eleventh century CE, the stepwell was designed as an inverted temple
highlighting the sanctity of water, and served as both a religious and functional structure. Rani-ki-Vav is a single-
component, water management system divided into seven levels of stairs, with sculptural panels of outstanding
artistic and aesthetic quality.

Elixir Foundation ◆ Promoting heritage preservation among youth and local
communities.
Country ◆ Encouraging youth and community participation in the
India site, stimulating a sense of responsibility and connecting
international and local people with the site management
Date and conservation authorities.
2017
Activities
◆ Running awareness-raising activities, such as a heritage
walk, quizzes, classes, treasure hunts and art performances.
◆ Producing a documentary about the camp’s activities.
◆ Using social media to promote youth involvement in
protecting heritage on the site.
122
18 India
Western Ghats
Name of Organization Older than the Himalayas, the mountain chain of the Western Ghats is
one of the best examples of the monsoon system on the planet. Its high
Field Services and Inter-
montane forest ecosystems influence the Indian monsoon weather
Cultural Learning (FSL
India) pattern and moderate the tropical climate of the region, making it
one of the world’s eight ‘hottest hotspots’ of biodiversity thanks to its
Country exceptionally high level of endemic plant and animal life.
India
The site’s forests include some of the best examples on earth of non-
equatorial tropical evergreen, and are home to at least 325 globally
Date threatened flora, fauna, bird, amphibian, reptile and fish species.
2016 2017
◆ Conserving biodiversity in the Agumbe Rain Forest in the
Western Ghats.
◆ Preventing soil erosion and harvesting rainwater in order to
‘Sometimes it can be challenging to increase the ground water level and safeguard the purity of
explain our projects to the national the native forest.
authorities, but when they see the
work that has been done, the articles Activities
in the press, foreign participants, they
◆ Learning specific skills to identify the common flora and
ask us how that was paid for and
fauna of the rain forest.
they cannot believe we just did it by
ourselves, with volunteers.’ ◆ Working alongside the State Forest Department to remove
invasive species and plant endemic species, using traditional
Indian tools.
◆ Building percolation pits – a traditional harvesting method
that helps prevent soil erosion by increasing groundwater
levels.
◆ Running an awareness-raising campaign about biodiversity
in the area.
© FSL INDIA
123
19 Indonesia
Borobudur Temple Compounds
© IIWC of PKBI
This famous Buddhist temple, dating from the eighth and ninth centuries, is located in central Java. It was built in
three tiers: a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms
and, at the top, a monumental stupa. The walls and balustrades are decorated with fine low reliefs, covering a total
surface area of 2,500 m2. Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the
Buddha. The monument was restored with UNESCO’s help in the 1970s.

Indonesia International ◆ Engaging volunteers in the preservation of the site.
Work Camp (IIWC) ◆ Supporting local communities and youth in preserving the
heritage site through a wide range of conservation activities,
Country especially through the Young Guardian Club, created by
Indonesia
the WHV-Borobudur workcamp.
Date Activities
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 ◆ Organizing awareness-raising and outreach campaigns.
2015 2016 2017 ◆ Mentoring the Young Guardian Club in appreciating and
preserving World Heritage.
◆ Organizing educational activities for children.
‘What is important with long-term
◆ Creating and distributing educational material.
volunteers is that when you look at
their schedule that we developed ◆ Running environmental activities.
together with the site managers, we ◆ Running workshops on the history and dynamics of World
find that now they play a big role in
Heritage sites worldwide.
terms of supporting, influencing and
involving other stakeholders to work at ◆ Participating in guided visits.
the sites. ◆ Learning about local culture, nature and traditions, such as
Now we organize capacity-building handicrafts, pottery and arts.
and mobilization training prior to the
camp, where we invite youth from
other countries in the region to learn
about the management of the project
before participating in it as volunteers.’
124
20 Indonesia
Prambanan Temple Compounds
Name of Organization This project is a best practice; please refer to page 104 for its description.
Dejavato Foundation
Country
Indonesia
Date
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
2015 2016 2017
© UNESCO/CCIVS/Dejavato – Eko Wahyudi
125
21 Indonesia
Ujung Kulon National Park
Name of Organization Ujung Kulon National Park includes the Ujung Kulon peninsula and
several offshore islands, and encompasses the natural reserve of
Indonesia International
Krakatoa. In addition to its natural beauty and geological interest,
Work Camp (IIWC)
particularly for the study of inland volcanoes, it contains the largest
Country remaining area of lowland rainforests in the Java plain. Several species
Indonesia of endangered plants and animals can be found there, the Javan
rhinoceros being the most seriously under threat.
Date
2013 2014
◆ Introducing and promoting the contribution by youth to the
promotion and preservation of World Heritage.
◆ Initiating and running the Young Guardian Club (YGC) in
areas around the Ujung Kulon National Park.
◆ Involving local youth in protecting Ujung Kulon.
Activities
◆ Training the new YGC members on volunteerism and team
building.
◆ Promoting the YGC.
◆ Running field orientations on the area's National Parks.
◆ Conducting capacity-building sessions.
© IIWC of PKBI
126
22 Islamic Republic of Iran
Cultural Landscape of Maymand
© Sarvsaan CHG
Maymand is a self-contained, semi-arid area at the southern extremity of Iran’s central mountains. The villagers are
semi-nomadic agro-pastoralists who raise their animals on mountain pastures, living in temporary settlements in
spring and autumn. During the winter months, they live lower down the valley in cave dwellings carved out of the
soft rock.

Sarvsaan Cultural Heritage ◆ Raising awareness about safeguarding Maymand.
Group ◆ Sensitizing the volunteers and the local families on the
importance of sustaining the site’s agricultural heritage
Country through traditional farming activities.
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
◆ Contributing to the preservation of Maymand’s natural
environment.
Date
2016 Activities
◆ Attending lectures and presentations by heritage experts on
‘From the feedback we received Maymand’s cultural landscape.

from the site manager, we decided ◆ Working with the local community on the agricultural
to organize our first camp mostly as seasonal production.
a research-based project, holding
interviews with the community
◆ Learning farming skills to preserve the cultural landscape.
members. As in all our camps, we ◆ Making handicrafts.
had one person, a PhD student, as a
◆ Running heritage education and awareness-raising activities
scientific leader, while a second person
was acting more as an executive leader
with local youth.
for the practical management of the
activities.
We gathered information about the

area demographics and anthropology,
about the agricultural and water
systems and the economic situation of
the village. At the same time, we also
helped with some of the agricultural
tasks, with gardening and with minor
conservation.’
127
23 24 Islamic Republic of Iran
23) The Persian Garden
24) The Persian Qanat
Name of Organization Throughout the arid regions of Iran, many agricultural and permanent
settlements are still supported by the ancient qanat system of tapping
Sarvsaan Cultural Heritage
alluvial aquifers at the heads of valleys and conducting the water along
Group
underground tunnels by gravity. The Qanat of Hassan Abad-e Moshir
Country feeds the Pahlavanpour garden, also inscribed as part of The Persian
Iran (Islamic Republic of) Garden property: these gardens exemplify the diversity of designs
that have evolved and adapted to different climate conditions, while
Date retaining principles that have their roots in the sixth century BC.
2017
◆ Raising awareness about the vulnerable condition of the
‘When I was studying abroad, I got in Qanat and promoting its value and importance.
contact with a volunteer organization
◆ Involving youth in conserving and improving the condition
there: they invited me to be a camp
leader and gave me training as it was of the aqueduct.
my very first camp. They also sent me
on seminars and workshops because I Activities
told them I’d be very interested in going ◆ Designing and arranging signs along the boundaries and
back to my country and setting up a
buffer zone of the site.
similar volunteer programme. Once
back in my country, we made trips to ◆ Carrying out site maintenance work.
the site together with other students,
◆ Running educational activities with local children.
talking to the local authorities,
the scientific managers and the ◆ Supporting the local community in apricot and grape
academics, the cultural organizations
picking.
and the municipality, who we finally
convinced to be the sponsors of what
ended up being a very successful
project. It is worth pointing out that
this was started by the volunteers
themselves.
We believe that our presence with

even just one camp can really help the
locals feel that they have something
very important because people came
from all around to work hard here for
two weeks.’
© Sarvsaan CHG
128
25 Japan
Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape
© Kaizawa Shinichiro / Never-ending International Workcamp Exchange (NICE)
The Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine in the south-west of Honshu Island lies in a cluster of mountains that rise to a height
of 600 m. The mountains are interspersed by deep river valleys containing the archaeological remains of large-scale
mines, smelting and refining sites, and mining settlements worked between the sixteenth and twentieth centuries.
The site also features the routes used to transport silver ore to the coast and port towns, from where it was shipped
to Korea and China. The Iwam Ginzan mines contributed substantially to the overall economic development of Japan
and south-east Asia in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, prompting the mass production of silver and gold
in Japan.

Never-ending International ◆ Raising awareness locally, nationally and internationally
Workcamp Exchange about World Heritage.
(NICE)
Activities
Country ◆ Organizing activities with schoolchildren.
Japan ◆ Visiting the Iwami Ginzan property.
◆ Carrying out maintenance works in the mountains to protect
Date the ecosystem.
2010 2012 2013
◆ Participating in intercultural exchanges.
◆ Learning how to protect World Heritage sites.
129
26 Japan
Shirakami-Sanchi
Name of Organization Situated in the mountains of northern Honshu, this trackless site
includes the last remaining forest of Siebold's beech trees that once
Never-ending International
covered the hills and mountain slopes of northern Japan. The black
Workcamp Exchange
(NICE) bear, the serow and 87 species of bird can be found in this forest.

Japan ◆ Preserving the World Heritage site by planting over 500 trees
in the Shirakami Mountains.
Date ◆ Raising awareness by means of a World Heritage workshop.
2008 2015 ◆ Promoting the value of World Heritage in Japan.
◆ Involving more people in conservation activities at the
natural site.
◆ Supporting local revitalization.
Activities
◆ Planting trees.
◆ Running a workshop on how to preserve a World Heritage
site.
◆ Preserving the natural environment of the Shirakami
Mountains.
◆ Removing invasive species to help preserve the ecological
richness of the forest.
◆ Preparing seedlings from the beech trees nursery for
transplantation.
◆ Planting the beech seedlings and running two tree-planting
ceremonies.
◆ Helping local farmers in their daily work.
◆ Attending study sessions about World Heritage.
130
27 Malaysia
Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of
Malacca
Melaka and George Town, historic cities of the Straits of Malacca, have developed over 500 years of trading and
cultural exchanges between East and West in the Straits of Malacca. Asian and European influences have bestowed
the towns with a rich multicultural heritage. With its government buildings, churches, squares and fortifications,
Melaka bears witness to the early stages of this history, from the Malay sultanate in the fifteenth century to the
Portuguese and Dutch periods beginning in the early sixteenth century. Featuring residential and commercial
buildings, George Town represents the British era from the end of the eighteenth century. The two towns constitute
a unique architectural and cultural townscape that is unrivalled anywhere in East and South-East Asia.
The first Chetti people arrived in Melaka as merchants from the 1400s onwards, trading spices and silk fabrics, among
other things. Today, there remain some twenty to thirty families living in the Chetti Village.

Persatuan Kebudayaan ◆ Saving the Chetti village, its heritage traditions and its culture
dan Kebajikan Chetti from extinction.
Melaka ◆ Raising awareness about this unique culture and heritage
among the local community, by involving them in activities
Country
with international volunteers.
Malaysia
◆ Promoting an improved understanding of local history and
culture.
Date
2014 Activities
◆ Carrying out site maintenance activities.
◆ Participating in visits and tours of the village and Chetti
museum.
◆ Producing an exhibition of traditional costumes.
◆ Taking part in traditional games.
◆ Taking traditional cooking classes.
◆ Learning about the Chetti’s musical instruments.
131
28 Nepal
Kathmandu Valley
Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, seven groups of extraordinary monuments and buildings showcase the full
range of historic and artistic achievement that make the Kathmandu Valley world famous.
Three organizations have carried out projects at the World Heritage property over the last decade:

We Inspire Nepal (WIN) ◆ Inspiring, educating and raising awareness among
secondary school students about the importance of our
Country World Heritage sites.
Nepal ◆ Sensitizing the community about the preservation of the
Kathmandu Valley.
Date
2013 Activities
◆ Providing basic guide skills training to volunteers and local
youth club members by heritage experts.
◆ Organizing heritage walks. Planting trees.
◆ Establishing a youth-led heritage preservation and promotion
club, Friends of Kathmandu Valley World Heritage (FOKVH).
◆ Running a heritage preservation and promotional campaign.
◆ Producing street drama shows.
◆ Organizing a flash mob.

SamYuBaa ◆ Transmitting knowledge about cultural heritage to the
younger generations, in order to preserve its value.
Country ◆ Enabling young people to become active citizens, aware
Nepal of their identity and heritage and participating in their
conservation.
Date
2015 Activities
◆ Carrying out maintenance activities at the site.
◆ Participating in the School Heritage Awareness Programme.
◆ Organizing heritage tours of the monument zone.
◆ Organizing the ‘Kathmandu Then and Now’ competition,
with photos, art, slogans and poems.
◆ Conducting ‘Kathmandu Then and Now’ awareness
activities.
132
© Niroj Maharjan / We Inspire Nepal

Volunteers Initiative Nepal ◆ Renovating the most degraded parts of the Swayambhu
(VIN) monument at the top of the Kathmandu Valley, which
has been damaged over the years by earthquakes and
Country vandalism.
Nepal
◆ Making the zone more visitor-friendly, while improving the
protection of its built heritage.
Date
◆ Following up on the work and partnerships developed after
2015 2016
the 2015 action camp, supporting the local authorities and
experts in the important reconstruction and renovation work
following the 2015 earthquake.
◆ Running promotional and educational activities to sensitize
the local population and visitors about the protection of the
site.
Activities
◆ Carrying out renovation work.
◆ Conducting site maintenance activities.
◆ Running an awareness-raising campaign.
◆ Participating in the renovation work, helping the local
experts and authorities to preserve the area.
◆ Continuing the reconstruction work started after the
earthquake.
◆ Attending training sessions by local experts.
◆ Organizing an educational campaign on the history and
importance of the site, examining its needs and the threats
it faces.
◆ Reaching out to the community and in particular to the
students of local universities and colleges.
133
29 Nepal
Vajrayogini and early settlement of sankhu
Name of Organization The settlement of Sankhu dates from the Lichchhavi period (second
to ninth centuries AD) and lies in the north-eastern corner of the
Volunteers Initiative Nepal
Kathmandu Valley, on the ancient trade route to Tibet. The Vajrayogini
(VIN)
temple complex, constructed in the mid-seventeenth century, is
Country located on the flanks of the hills 1.5 km north of Sankhu. The principal
Nepal tiered temple, dedicated to the tantric goddess Vajrayogini, is
surrounded by several monuments and freestanding statues.
Date
2016 2017
◆ Raising awareness among the local community about the
effects of the 2015 earthquake that devastated Sankhu city
and its heritage, and the need for urgent renovation work.
◆ Running site-cleaning campaigns.
◆ Organizing educational workshops on waste management.
◆ Supporting experts in basic renovation activities.
Activities
◆ Developing educational awareness-raising materials.
◆ Creating and running educational workshops.
◆ Carrying out cleaning activities at the site.
◆ Establishing waste management procedures.
◆ Conducting painting and renovation activities at the temple.
134
30 Philippines
Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras
The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras are an outstanding example of an evolved, living cultural landscape
that can be traced as far back as 2,000 years in the pre-colonial Philippines. The terraces are located in the remote
areas of the Philippine Cordillera mountain range, on the northern island of Luzon in the Philippine archipelago.
While the historic terraces cover an extensive area, the inscribed property consists of five clusters of the most intact
and impressive terraces, located in four municipalities. They were all created by the Ifugao ethnic group, a minority
community that has occupied these mountains for thousands of years.

Youth for Sustainable ◆ Increasing resilience of the terrace walls to the impacts of
Development Assembly – climate change. Learning how to clean and care for historic
YSDA sites.
◆ Raising awareness of native flora and fauna and their relevance
Country
to the ecosystem, and preservation of the rice terraces.
Philippines
◆ Highlighting the role of youth by increasing the capacity of
young people to contribute directly to the conservation of
Date
heritage sites.
2014 2015
Activities
◆ Conducting a physical and socio-economic market survey at
the site of the Nagacadan Rice Terraces in order to provide a
baseline for biodiversity conversation techniques.
◆ Participating in the rehabilitation work on rice terraces and
an ecotrail.
◆ Building a materials recovery facility for enhanced waste
segregation.
◆ Supporting the Tourist Office in tourist relations/publicity
activities.
◆ Conducting seminars in computer literacy and English
language.
◆ Mobilizing local youth to regularly monitor the rice terraces.
◆ Conducting the final impact assessment.
© Patrick Venenoso
135
31 Republic of Korea
Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen sites
Name of Organization The Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen sites contain the
highest density and greatest variety of dolmens in Korea. Dolmens,
International Workcamp
megalithic funerary monuments, figured prominently in Neolithic
Organization (IWO)
and Bronze Age cultures across the world during the second and first
Country millennia BCE. They usually consist of two or more undressed stone
Republic of Korea slabs supporting a huge capstone, and are thought to be simply burial
chambers, erected over the bodies or bones of deceased dignitaries.
Date They are usually found in cemeteries on elevated sites and are of
2008 great archaeological value for the information that they provide about
the prehistoric people who built them, and their social and political
systems, beliefs and rituals, art and ceremonies.

◆ Raising awareness on world heritage in Korea.
◆ Involving local residents in the preservation of the World
Heritage property.
Activities
◆ Participating in non- formal educational activities for the
local youth on the Heritage property.
◆ Carrying out site maintenance works.
◆ Organizing a seminar on the Dolmen heritage for the local
community.
136
Gyeongju Historic Areas
Name of Organization The Gyeongju Historic Areas contain a remarkable concentration of

Korean Buddhist art, in particular from the seventh and tenth centuries.
Korean National
The outstanding examples include sculptures, reliefs, pagodas and the
Commission for UNESCO
remains of temples and palaces from the flourishing culture of the Silla
Country dynasty, who ruled the Korean Peninsula for almost a thousand years
Republic of Korea (57 BCE – 935 CE). The sites and monuments in and around Gyeongiu
bear exceptional testimony to the dynasty’s cultural achievements,
Date and are of unique significance in the development of Korean Buddhist
2012 and secular architecture.

◆ Improving understanding of World Heritage and local
community awareness about Yangdong village.
Activities
◆ Carrying out site maintenance activities.
◆ Organizing educational World Heritage preservation
programmes.
◆ Producing promotional materials for the site.
© Korean National Commission for UNESCO
137
Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong
© IWO
Founded in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, Hahoe and Yangdong are seen as the two most representative
historic clan villages in the Republic of Korea. Their layout and location – sheltered by forested mountains and facing
out onto a river and open agricultural fields – reflect the distinctive aristocratic Confucian culture of the early part of
the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910).

International Workcamp ◆ Contradicting the stereotype of ‘archaic’ heritage and
Organization (IWO) showing its relevance to today’s youth.
◆ Revitalizing Yangdong village, where the majority of
Country residents are senior, with the youth camp’s energy and
Republic of Korea
ideas.
◆ Raising awareness among the local community and tourists
Date
about World Heritage and sustainable development.
2012 2013 2014
Activities
◆ Running a ‘finger print signature’ campaign in famous spots
to promote World Heritage.
◆ Producing a guide book in English and Korean for senior
residents to run home-stay programmes in traditional
houses for visitors.
◆ Organizing World Heritage educational programmes for
children and visitors.
‘It is thanks to our work and good relationship with the community that we were invited to their most intimate spaces,
to private rooms with symbolic meanings where few outsiders are actually ever allowed, and where the cultural
values that constitute an important part of this World Heritage are preserved and transmitted every day.’
‘We also prepared a big mural to promote ways to preserve heritage values, involving everyone from local school
children and the community, to university art students from the city, international volunteers and professional heritage
specialists in the painting. Messages were also translated into the different languages of the participants and exhibited
at a very high-level regional World Heritage conference, making the children, in particular, very proud of their work!’
138
Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes
Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes together comprise three sites that make up 18,846 ha. The site includes
Geomunoreum, regarded as the finest lava tube system of caves in the world, with its multicoloured carbonate
roofs and floors, and dark-coloured lava walls. The fortress-like Seongsan Ilchulbong tuff cone rises out of the ocean,
creating a dramatic landscape. Mount Halla is the highest mountain in Korea, with spectacular waterfalls, multi-
shaped rock formations and a lake-filled crater.
Two organizations have carried out projects at the World Heritage property over the last decade:

International Workcamp ◆ Promoting the importance of the Geomunoreum site.
Organization (IWO) ◆ Improving understanding of cultural diversity thanks to
intercultural exchanges between volunteers and locals, and
Country the use of non-formal education methods.
Republic of Korea
Activities
Date ◆ Organizing visits to the site.
2009 2010 2011 2015 ◆ Organizing a seminar to share information about World
Heritage issues.
◆ Assessing the increase of tourism and its impact locally.

Korean National ◆ Encouraging youth participation in activities that make a
Commission for UNESCO positive contribution to a sustainable society.
◆ Increasing knowledge and understanding of how
Country environmental and cultural issues are linked with the well-
Republic of Korea
being of local and global communities.
Date Activities
2012 2013 2014 2016 ◆ Planning and implementing activities to assess and manage
the potential risks caused by the rapid influx of tourists and
residents at the site.
◆ Running online, multimedia promotional activities for the site.
◆ Creating maps and brochures of the island and its heritage.
‘The communication with the ◆ Attending lectures and field visits.

authorities was actually the most
positive thing. They were all ears
about our suggestions and ideas
on how to better monitor the
site for preservation and how to
improve attitudes towards the site’s
architectural, agricultural and natural
aspects.’
139
Namhansanseong
Namhansanseong was designed as an emergency capital for the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910), in a
mountainous site 25 km south-east of Seoul. Built and defended by Buddhist monk-soldiers, it could
accommodate 4,000 people and fulfilled important administrative and military functions. A city that has
always been inhabited, and which served as the provincial capital over a long period, it contains evidence of
a variety of military, civil and religious buildings and has become a symbol of Korean sovereignty.

International Workcamp ◆ Promoting active participation of youth and diffusing the
Organization (IWO) value of World Heritage in Korea.
◆ Raising wider awareness about the need for community
Country participation in World Heritage preservation.
Republic of Korea
◆ Intercultural learning for youth through World Heritage
education and exchanges.
Date
2015 2016 2017 Activities
◆ Running cleaning and maintenance activities, particularly in
areas heavily impacted by tourists.
◆ Organizing and attending a World Heritage Youth camp,
with presentations and discussions.
© OUR PLACE The World Heritage Collection / Geoff Steven *
140
Southwestern Coast Tidal Flats
Name of Organization The Tidal Flats on the south-west coast of Korea are uniquely
‘macrotidal’ − enclosed tidal flats turn into open-coast tidal flats during
Korean National
the monsoons, as they have no barrier islands like other tidal flats in
Commission for UNESCO
the Yellow Sea. The seasonal change is very clear along the coastline:
Country during the winter, strong waves create sand flats, while in summer, the
Republic of Korea mud flats expand as tidal currents overpower the waves.
The tidal flats of Muan-gun are significant for salterns, fish production,
Date purification of pollutants and flood control, and the future of the
2013 2014 2015 region’s ecological system, economy and local culture depends on
their preservation.

◆ Raising public awareness of environmental issues,
contributing to an increased understanding about the need
to conserve and protect the flats.
◆ Bringing together international volunteers as an example of
active participation in heritage preservation.
◆ Promoting the concept and meaning of global citizenship
among the local community.
Activities
◆ Visiting the local tidal flat museum.
◆ Gaining basic conservation skills through hands-on work
such as rubbish collection and cleaning the flats.
◆ Identifying and recognizing the flats’ particular flora and
fauna.
◆ Sharing ideas on how to better preserve the area.
◆ Making a wall painting to promote the importance of the
site.
141
37 Thailand
Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex
Name of Organization The Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex spans 230 km between
Ta Phraya National Park on the Cambodian border in the east and
Pitaya Suwan Foundation-
Khao Yai National Park in the west. The site is internationally important
Greenway
for the conservation of endangered wildlife, and is home to more than
Country 800 species of fauna, including 112 species of mammal, 392 species
Thailand of bird and 200 species of reptile and amphibian. The area contains
substantial and important tropical forest ecosystems, which can
Date provide a viable habitat for the long-term survival of these species.
2008
◆ Combatting the soaring illegal wildlife trade, such as illegal
logging and the killing of animals for the black market.
◆ Working with a patrol team to protect wildlife from poachers.
◆ Helping a scientific team to measure the park’s biological
health by carrying out an inventory of the animal population.
Activities
◆ Running educational programmes for children at local
schools about the forest and the effects of poaching.
◆ Working with the rangers in the park, planting trees.
◆ Making trails for ecotourism in the park.
◆ Designing an exhibition on Khao Yai as a World Heritage
property.
© OUR PLACE The World Heritage Collection / Amos Chapple *
142
38 Viet Nam
Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi
Name of Organization The Thang Long Imperial Citadel was built in the eleventh century
by the Ly Viet Dynasty, marking the independence of the Dai Viet. It
Volunteers for Peace
was constructed on the remains of a Chinese fortress dating from the
Vietnam
seventh century, and was the undisputed centre of regional political
Country power for almost 13 centuries. The Imperial Citadel buildings and the
Viet Nam remains in the 18 Hoang Dieu archaeological sites reflect a unique
South-East Asian culture specific to the lower Red River Valley, at
Date the crossroads between influences from China in the north and the
2011 2012 2013 ancient Kingdom of Champa from the south.

◆ Encouraging local preservation activities by involving
international volunteers.
Activities
◆ Attending an orientation seminar and tour of the property.
◆ Leading awareness-raising workshops at local schools and
colleges.
‘We do follow-up with all the volunteers, and in the three camps we could see the impact of the projects in their life,
their change of behaviour in the long term. But for the children who participate short-term, even in one-day activities
during the camp, we also talk to their teachers and ask if the students will go again to the heritage site, if they have
meetings to carry on talking about it, if they clean the area and collect the rubbish as we did together. We enquire
about this as we would like to make the impact that we triggered in their minds more permanent by integrating these
activities into the education system’.
© Volunteers for Peace Vietnam
143
39 Viet Nam
Citadel of the Ho Dynasty
The fourteenth-century Ho Dynasty citadel, built according to the principles of Feng Shui, testifies to the blossoming
of neo-Confucianism in late fourteenth-century Viet Nam and its spread to other parts of East Asia. According to
these principles, it was sited in a landscape of great scenic beauty on an axis joining the Tuong Son and Don Son
mountains, in a plain between the Ma and Buoi rivers. The citadel buildings represent an outstanding example of a
new style of South-East Asian imperial city.

Solidarités Jeunesses ◆ Raising awareness about World Heritage among youth.
Vietnam ◆ Bringing young people together to contribute towards the
conservation and protection of the property.
Country
◆ Promoting cultural and natural historical values.
Viet Nam
Activities
Date ◆ Running a cleaning campaign.
2013 2014
◆ Holding workshops with local students.
◆ Planting trees and flowers.
144
40 Viet Nam
Ha Long Bay
© Do Thi Phuc / SJ Vietnam
Ha Long Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin, includes some 1,600 islands and islets, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone
pillars. Numerous caves and grottoes can be found there, with stalactites and stalagmites. Because of their precipitous
nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and are unaffected by human presence. The site's outstanding scenic
beauty is complemented by its great biological interest.

Solidarités Jeunesses ◆ Bringing people together through social activities on World
Vietnam Heritage and environmental issues.
◆ Promoting the role of the community in protecting and
Country improving the site.
Viet Nam
◆ Broadening people’s knowledge about World Heritage,
especially youth.
Date
◆ Sharing and learning about best practices from other
2008 2009 2010 2012
countries to promote, protect and preserve World Heritage.
Activities
◆ Organizing workshops in local high schools about World
Heritage and climate change.
◆ Carrying out cleaning activities at the beach and on the bay.
◆ Tidying natural caves.
◆ Planting mangroves.
145
41 Viet Nam
Hoi An Ancient Town
Name of Organization Hoi An Ancient Town is an exceptionally well-preserved example

of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the fifteenth to the
Solidarités Jeunesses
nineteenth century. Its buildings and street plan reflect the influences,
Vietnam
both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this
Country unique heritage site.
Viet Nam
Date ◆ Supporting alternative solutions to protect the site – which
2015 2016 has seen a dramatic increase in visitors to the old quarter of
the city – while still maintaining the economic benefits that
tourism brings to the province.
◆ Supporting the development of sustainable tourism in Triem
Tay eco-village, an initiative launched to promote the role
and livelihoods of the communities in the buffer zone of the
Hoi An World Heritage property.
Activities
◆ Supporting the local community in order to further develop
their home-stay services.
◆ Staying in home-stays with local families.
◆ Running interviews with villagers and tourists.
◆ Helping to assess current expertise and practices.
◆ Planting vegetables and flowers in the community garden
with guidance from the Green Youth Collective.
◆ Collecting and classifying waste in order to produce organic
fertilizers.
◆ Organizing several awareness-raising activities focusing on
heritage protection and volunteering.
‘When we review volunteers' applications to join the project, most of them are students of environmental sciences and
some are even pursuing their masters’ degrees. They clearly share a common goal with us, so I think we are giving
them the opportunity – a very rare opportunity – to also understand the importance of community development and
to participate in a hands-on activity that has the potential to actually save the World Heritage property.’
146

33
19
North America
Albania
1. Historic Centres of Berat and
Gjirokastra
154 11
34
09
Armenia 10
2. Cathedral and Churches of

Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site
of Zvartnots 28
155
3. Monastery of Geghard and the
Upper Azat Valley
30
156
16
06 07
18 39
Austria 17
05 38
4. Hallstatt-Dachstein / Salzkammergut 04
Cultural Landscape
157 12
15 27
5. Wachau Cultural Landscape 14 22
13
158 24
08
29 37
Belgium 23
20
6. Major Mining Sites of Wallonia 26 21
25
01
159
31
7. Neolithic Flint Mines at Spiennes
France
(Mons)
160 12. Arsenal de Rochefort et fortifications
de l'estuaire de la Charente
Bulgaria 165
13. The Causses and the Cévennes,
8. Frontiers of the Roman Empire − The
Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural
Danube Limes in Bulgaria
161 Landscape
166
14. Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion
Estonia 167
9. Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn 15. Parc national de la Vanoise
162
168
10. Wooded meadows (Laelatu, Kalli-
Nedrema, Mäepea, Allika, Tagamoisa,
Germany
Loode, Koiva, Halliste)
163 16. Classical Weimar
169
17. Maulbronn Monastery Complex
Finland 170
11. Fortress of Suomenlinna 18. Upper Middle Rhine Valley
164 171
Europe and
North
36
America
Iceland 35
19. Þingvellir National Park

172
32
Italy
20. Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Portugal
Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata 31. Historic Centre of Évora
173 184
21. Cilento and Vallo di Diano National
Park with the Archeological sites of Russian Federation
Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di
Padula 32. Bolgar Historical and Archaeological
174 Complex
185
22. Ferrara, City of the Renaissance, and
its Po Delta 33. Cultural and Historic Ensemble of
175 the Solovetsky Islands
186
23. Historic Centre of Naples
176 34. Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg
02 03
24. Portovenere, Cinque Terre and the and Related Groups of Monuments
187
Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto)
177 35. Lake Baikal
188
25. The Sassi and the Park of the
Rupestrian Churches of Matera 36. Virgin Komi Forests
178 189
26. Su Nuraxi di Barumini
179 Serbia
27. Venice and its Lagoon
180 37. Caričin Grad – Iustiniana Prima,
archaeological site
190
Lithuania
28. Curonian Spit Slovakia
181
38. Historic Town of Banská Štiavnica
and the Technical Monuments in its
Montenegro Vicinity
29. Durmitor National Park 191
182
Ukraine
The Netherlands 39. L'viv – the Ensemble of the Historic
30. Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie Centre
183 192
©UNESCO
11 Finland
Fortress of Suomenlinna

The Governing Body of Suomenlinna is a huge sea fortress, covering 210 ha and was built in
Suomenlinna the late eighteenth century over a group of islands at the entrance
to the Helsinki Harbour. With its high defensive walls and craggy
Year landscape, it is a fantastic example of the military architecture at that
2015 2016 2017 time.
Volunteers from all over the world have come to the Suomenlinna
WHV objectives
every year since 2015 to get involved in hands-on landscaping projects
2 Involve young people in World
in vulnerable areas, and to raise awareness about the property’s
Heritage preservation through
sustainability. The biggest challenge is the month of August, when
concrete projects at sites.
the Fort welcomes over 200,000 visitors.
cooperation between non-profit Description and definition of the project as a best

organizations, site management, practice
communities and authorities. Volunteers who come to work on projects at Suomenlinna get a
complete overview of how the property is managed, from restoring
the artillery guns to digging up invasive plant species in the
grounds. They go into areas to carry out work that cannot be done
by machines and are able to see the visible and significant changes
that they have made during their stay. As well as the more physical
conservation work, volunteers also take part in face-to-face activities,
such as raising awareness among visitors about the sustainability and
ecology of the property.
The success of the projects at Suomenlinna is due to the strong

partnership between the Governing Body of Suomenlinna and the
Allianssi Youth Exchange, which facilitate exchanges and intercultural
learning between volunteers, local communities and NGOs.
© The Governing Body of Suomenlinna
150
Best practices
Eu rop e a n d N ort h Am e rica

This project is a good example of how involving volunteers all
“ Our goal is not only to
implement the work. The
human dimension is also very
important. We are not going to
clean a silent place. This place has
to talk, it has a language that has to
the way from planning to implementation is key to its success.
speak to the people and through the
„
The Governing Body of Suomenlinna shared their knowledge
people. We need to convert the site

and expertise of the property with volunteers through a series from being silent to being a place of
of orientation lectures, discussions and presentations on the communication.
“
Fort’s history and evolution. The close intercultural relationship
formed between the Governing Body and the volunteers led Most of the volunteers get both
what we call hard skills and
to productive and intensive exchanges throughout the project
soft skills. One thing that they
experience and afterwards, when the volunteers’ feedback was
certainly improve by the end of the
used to further develop and adapt the project for future years. camp is their communication skills,
by that I mean also understanding
How did your WHV project promote youth and adapting to the culture and
participation? the way of thinking. But for most
of them who are students, what is
The project actively involves youth in the maintenance of the
exceptional is the very fact of using
„
World Heritage property and in raising awareness about its
their hands, going on the ground
unique features for visitors and locals. Volunteers made use and working on a field project of this
of their international diversity to plan and run visitor feedback nature.
surveys in different languages. They put into practice what they
had learned from the Governing Body and were able to raise
awareness on the sustainability and ecology of the Fort. At the
end of the project, volunteers were involved in open discussions,
where they could share best practices from their own countries
and rate their project experience.

◆ Practical landscape maintenance
◆ Multilingual visitor information
Volunteers serving in rural areas
◆ Survey planning and implementation
reported higher ratings on cultural
◆ Project management
openness and social integration
◆ Communication
than those in urban settings.

◆ Learning about the values and attributes Returned volunteers reported
of the Fortress of Suomenlinna, its history
significant increases in
and architecture
communication skills. Sharing
◆ Living and working in a small ‘village’
environment was the concept most used by
◆ Learning about sustainability and ecology, volunteers to describe the positive
to help conserve and protect the property experience of overcoming personal
and cultural boundaries to create
meaningful relationships and
exchanges. The flow of energy
◆ Willingness to work with local communities
and other volunteers that is created among volunteers
◆ Communicating with an international working together on project
audience activities has a profound and long-
◆ Giving feedback and expressing opinions lasting ‘feel-good’ effect.
151
16 Germany
Classical Weimar

European Heritage The small town of Weimar has an extraordinary literary history, attracting
Volunteers eminent writers and scholars such as Goethe and Schiller in the late
eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The fine artistic quality of the
Year houses and surrounding parks are hallmarks of this ‘Classical’ development.
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
The Classical Weimar property is made up of twelve separate buildings and
ensembles, including houses, schools, castles, a palace and a cemetery, all
WHV objectives
of which show tangible and intangible elements of the town’s heritage.
1 Raise awareness among
To make their conservation work authentic, the volunteers used historical
young people, volunteers, local
plans for their rehabilitation of the parks and gardens, restoring them to
communities and concerned
their former splendour and helping to preserve them for future generations.
authorities of the need to protect
and promote World Heritage. The project has taken place every year since 2012 and continues to raise
2 Involve young people in awareness of this fascinating town’s historical and cultural importance.
World Heritage preservation

Description and definition of the project as a best
through concrete projects at sites.
practice
The project is based on a successful combination of practical work and
non-formal education activities. The volunteers’ hands-on work included
restoring and maintaining the parks and gardens, doing archaeological
research on the historical park structures, cleaning activities, and helping
to restore the path systems to make the property safe and accessible to
develop non-formal education
visitors.
participation in the World Volunteers learned about the background to the project − and the
Heritage education. challenges facing the property − through a series of lectures, guided tours
of Classical Weimar, and excursions to related heritage sites.
As well as the practical side of the project, it also focused on three

fundamental, more intangible, aspects of volunteering for heritage:
◆ Close cooperation and interaction between the organizers, site
management, community and volunteers.
◆ Continuity and stability.
◆ Making positive use of the synergies created.

The secret to a project’s success lies in the close and long-lasting
cooperation between all the stakeholders involved. It guarantees the
proper technical and logistical realization of the project, and also ensures
the high quality of the educational, intercultural and promotional
activities around the heritage.
Furthermore, an appropriate project structure leads to a higher

acceptance of heritage volunteering both within the site management
team and among a wider public. In particular, the restoration of the path
152
Best practices
system, which was carried out solely by volunteers, illustrates

what remarkable results can be achieved by their work.
“ Participating in the WHV
Initiative is also helping us
run other heritage projects
nationally, because when you
have this in your history, the kind
„
of recognition and support that we
The close collaboration between the site management team can receive from universities and the
and the volunteers during the project led to a rich exchange of government is much better.
ideas, thus creating long-lasting intercultural relationships.

participation?
The project is based on the active engagement of volunteers
for the World Heritage property, making their work visible to
a wider public. It therefore encourages other young people to
participate in heritage volunteering projects, either in Weimar © European Heritage Volunteers
or elsewhere.
Every year, at the end of the project, volunteers give a
presentation on World Heritage sites in their home countries,
promoting the idea of volunteering to a wider public.
On the national scale, an exhibition showing all the WHV
Initiative’s work across Germany was organized at Belvedere
Orangery by the European Heritage Volunteers, in collaboration © European Heritage Volunteers
with the German National Commission for UNESCO. Thanks to

the number of WHV projects undertaken at Belvedere Park in
the Complex, a permanent exhibition of the Initiatives is now Returned volunteers reported
on display. It is guided by volunteers from all over the world a significant increase in the
and has so far welcomed over 20,000 visitors. The exhibition knowledge and ideas needed
to protect and preserve cultural
has been extended into 2018 and is part of Germany’s National
heritage and diversity.
Programme for the European Year of Cultural Heritage.

◆ Learning to read and compare historic plans
◆ Park archaeology
◆ Practical skills in path restoration and related tasks
◆ Exhibition installation and management

◆ Learning about historic gardens and parks
◆ Learning about cultural landscapes
◆ Increased understanding about sustainable
gardens and parks

◆ Awareness about the relationship between
the cultural, natural and intangible aspects of
heritage
◆ Awareness about the accessibility of heritage
sites for a wider public – both for local inhabitants
and tourists
153
1 Albania
Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra
Name of Organization Berat and Gjirokastra are rare examples of typical Ottoman architecture.
Located in central Albania, Berat bears witness to the coexistence of
REMPART
various religious and cultural communities throughout the centuries.
Country Its castle, locally known as the Kala, was mostly built in the thirteenth
Albania century, although its origins date back to the fourth century BC. The
fortress area houses many Byzantine churches, mainly from the
Date thirteenth century, as well as several mosques built under the Ottoman
2010 rule. Gjirokastra, in the Drinos River Valley in southern Albania, features
a series of outstanding two-storey houses which were developed in the
seventeenth century. The town also retains a bazaar, an eighteenth-
century mosque and two churches from the same period.

◆ Raising awareness about heritage preservation, to protect
cultural heritage in Albania.
◆ Providing young people with the opportunity to get involved
in projects useful for the community.
◆ Sharing intercultural experiences among NGOs and
encouraging intercultural dialogue among the wider public.
◆ Contributing to reconciliation in the Balkans.
◆ Fostering the development of leadership skills and
capabilities.
Activities
◆ Participating in restoration activities in close collaboration
with professional artists, public heritage authorities and
other NGOs.
◆ Taking part in awareness-raising workshops about cultural
and architectural heritage.
154
2 Armenia
Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the
Archaeological Site of Zvartnots
Name of Organization The cathedral and churches of Echmiatsin and the archaeological
remains at Zvartnots graphically illustrate the evolution and
HUJ – Voluntary Service of
development of Armenia’s unique ecclesiastical style, which profoundly
Armenia
shaped architectural and artistic development in the region. Damaged
Country by an earthquake in the tenth century and unearthed nearly a
Armenia thousand years later, the construction of the cathedral has been
deduced from written history and from the ruins of the structure itself
Date by the combined efforts of archaeologists, historians and architectural
2010 2011 2012 2013 2015 2016 2017 specialists.

◆ Raising awareness among visitors about the importance of
World Heritage issues.
◆ Involving institutions in the project.
◆ Preserving the sustainability of the World Heritage site of
Zvartnots Cathedral for future generations.
◆ Keeping the property in good condition, so that visitors feel
its spiritual value and are able to appreciate its grace and
beauty.
Activities
◆ Participating in maintenance works around the cathedral,
such as moving stones, broken sections of the ruins, etc.
◆ Helping to edit, revise and translate materials about the site
for the museum.
◆ Taking part in different cultural activities in order to gain a
better understanding of the local culture in relation to the
World Heritage property.
‘There were so many people interested in knowing about other cultures, other ways of life, other working methods
and other ways of thinking in the countries the volunteers came from, so I would say international volunteers very
positively impacted local perception.’
155
3 Armenia
Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley
© HUJ - Voluntary Service of Armenia
The monastery of Geghard contains a number of churches and tombs, most of them cut into the rock,
exemplifying the very peak of Armenian medieval architecture. The complex of medieval buildings is set into
a landscape of astounding natural beauty, surrounded by towering cliffs at the entrance to the Azat Valley.

HUJ - Voluntary Service of ◆ Preserving and protecting the World Heritage property.
Armenia
Activities
Country ◆ Carrying out maintenance activities in the surroundings of
Armenia the monastery, a place of pilgrimage.
◆ Collecting rubbish.
Date ◆ Cleaning the river bank.
2010 2011 2013
◆ Preparing information panels.
◆ Making a list of cultural heritage objects to send to the
Ministry of Culture for their future preservation.
‘The volunteers talked to us about what recycling is, and they told us that where they live, they put it in containers for
specific materials. This not only helps reuse rubbish, but can also be a good way of decorating the city and making it
beautiful.’
156
4 Austria
Hallstatt-Dachstein / Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape
The first human activity in the magnificent natural landscape of Salzkammergut dates back to prehistoric
times, with the salt deposits being exploited as early as the second millennium BC. The region’s prosperity
was based on this resource until the middle of the twentieth century, and this is reflected in the majestic
architecture of the town of Hallstatt.

Village of Hallstatt ◆ Sensitizing the volunteers and local community of Hallstatt
about the challenges that tourist alpine towns like Hallstatt
(Hallstatt Municipality)
can face.
Country ◆ Raising awareness about the site’s protection and sustainable

Austria development.
Activities
Date
◆ Restoring site areas such as the Hallstatt glacier and hiking
2014 2015 2016
paths.
◆ Restoring a traditional Austrian wooden boat.
◆ Preparing a presentation for the local community.
◆ Discussing the protection and development of the site.
157
5 Austria
Wachau Cultural Landscape
Wachau is a beautiful stretch of the Danube Valley between Melk and Krems. Its evolution from prehistoric times can
be traced through its ancient architecture (monasteries, castles, ruins), urban design (towns and villages), and the
vine terraces that have been cultivated on its slopes since 800 AD.

Service Civil International ◆ Maintaining natural ‘hot spots’ and traditional stone
Austria terraces.
◆ Preserving the biodiversity of Wachau as a World Heritage
Country cultural landscape.
Austria
Activities
Date ◆ Running a public relations campaign.
2011 2012 2013 2014 ◆ Organizing press conferences.
◆ Raising awareness about the importance of natural habitats.

Wachau ◆ Maintaining natural ‘hot spots’ and traditional stone
Dunkelsteinerwald terraces.
Regionalentwicklung ◆ Preserving Wachau’s biodiversity as a World Heritage
cultural landscape.
Country
◆ Raising awareness about the site’s importance.
Austria
Activities
Date ◆ Maintaining dry grassland habitats by reducing invasive
2017 species and other threats.
◆ Mowing and clearing grass, girdling trees and removing
bushes.
◆ Participating in public outreach activities on natural habitats.
© SCI Österreich
158
6 Belgium
Major Mining Sites of Wallonia
© Image courtesy of JAVVA asbl
The four Walloon mining sites – Grand-Hornu, Bois-du-Luc, Bois du Cazier and Blegny-Mine – are the best-preserved
in Belgium, and among the earliest in Europe. Together, they form a great strip measuring 170 km long and 3–15 km
wide, crossing from the east to west of the country, and feature the utopian architecture typical of the early industrial
era. The mining sites are a highly integrated industrial and urban ensemble, and include the workers’ city at Grand-
Hornu, designed by Bruno Renard in the first half of the nineteenth century.

Jeunes Actifs dans le ◆ Contributing to the preservation and protection of the
Volontariat et les Voyages historical property.
Alternatifs (JAVVA) ASBL ◆ Raising the property’s cultural and historical profile among
international volunteers, the local community and visitors.
Country
◆ Supporting the site’s Eco museum in preparation for a
Belgium
special exhibition in the framework of ‘Mons 2015’ − the city
of Mons, located close to the site, was the European Capital
Date
of Culture in 2015.
2014
Activities
◆ Preserving Bois-du-Luc, one of the four sites of the property.
◆ Cleaning the area, collecting rubbish and removing the
overgrown grass.
◆ Preparing the special exhibition for Mons 2015.
◆ Displaying a photo exhibition at the museum.
◆ Running an awareness-raising campaign about World
Heritage.
◆ Organizing World Heritage workshops.
159
7 Belgium
Neolithic Flint Mines at Spiennes (Mons)
Name of Organization The Neolithic flint mines at Spiennes, covering more than 100 ha, are
the largest and earliest concentration of ancient mines in Europe. They
Jeunes Actifs dans le
are also remarkable for the diversity of technological solutions used for
Volontariat et les Voyages
Alternatifs (JAVVA) ASBL extraction and for the fact that they are directly linked to a settlement of
the same period. The men who started to dig in Spiennes some 6,000
Country years ago are among the oldest miners in the world; they discovered a
Belgium profuse deposit of quality flint, which was to be exploited for a further
1,800 years.
Date
2016
◆ Promoting the site.
◆ Highlighting its preservation by carrying out educational
activities about the site.
‘Everyone knows the volunteers and
they try their best to keep them here, ◆ Raising awareness among volunteers and the local
because they are profoundly aware of population about the importance of their involvement in
how the volunteers contribute to our
preserving the site.
community.’
Activities
◆ Participating in practical and educational activities.
◆ Participating in archaeological excavations in the mines and
post-excavation operations in the research laboratory.
◆ Learning archaeological methods and techniques.
◆ Processing artefacts.
◆ Attending scientific study courses, conferences and
workshops.
© Image courtesy of JAVVA asbl
160
8 Bulgaria
Frontiers of the Roman Empire - The Danube Limes in
Bulgaria
© Bulgarian Archaeological Association
The Roman city of Ratiaria is part of the Danube Limes in Bulgaria. The Roman frontier system in Bulgaria
consisted of a chain of fortifications along the south bank of the Danube, with the river serving as both an
obstacle and as a communication and trade route. Along the course of the river line, there are four legionary
fortresses (Ratiaria, Oescus, Novae and Durostorum) and many other forts and watchtowers, 46 of which
have been precisely identified on the ground to date.

Bulgarian Archaeological ◆ Protecting the site by cleaning, documenting and promoting
Association the preserved archaeological and architectural structures.
◆ Involving local communities in preservation activities to help
Country them get a better understanding of the cultural heritage
Bulgaria
as a part of their national history, and to foster regional
development.
Date
◆ Protecting the site by raising awareness on an international
2017
level.
◆ Encouraging local authorities to elaborate and develop
appropriate projects preserving and opening cultural
monuments to the world.
Activities
◆ Participating in preservation and maintenance activities,
such as cleaning architectural and archaeological remains.
Collecting rubbish.
◆ Undertaking field conservation, stabilization and protection
of the ancient buildings and structures, and the fortification
walls.
◆ Preparing archaeological and geodetic documentation
about the site.
◆ Running an awareness-raising campaign with seminars
and daily talks.
◆ Organizing an exhibition of the action camp.
161
9 Estonia
Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn
Name of Organization The city of Tallinn dates back to the thirteenth century, when a castle
was built there by the crusading knights of the Teutonic Order. It
International Youth
developed into a major centre of the Hanseatic League, and its wealth
Association EstYES
is demonstrated by the opulence of the public buildings and the
Country domestic architecture of the merchants' houses, which have survived
Estonia to a remarkable degree despite the ravages of fire and war in the
intervening centuries.
Date
2011
◆ Raising awareness about World Heritage throughout the
local community, young people and visitors on the occasion
of Tallinn, European Capital of Culture, 2011.
Activities
◆ Participating in guided tours.
◆ Organizing workshops.
◆ Documenting activities with photos and videos, exhibited
online and at a school.
© International Youth association EstYES
162
10 Estonia
Wooded meadows (Laelatu, Kalli-Nedrema, Mäepea, Allika,
Tagamoisa, Loode, Koiva, Halliste)
© International Youth association EstYES
Wooded meadows are traditional semi-natural communities that were widespread in the countries around the Baltic
Sea and other parts of Europe a few hundred years ago. Traditional mowing and grazing of livestock takes place in
these sparse, natural wooded areas. The meadows are one of the oldest ecosystems to have been created through
the interaction between humans and nature in a forest area.

International Youth ◆ Maintaining approximately 10 ha of the wooded meadows
Association EstYES of Nedrema and Laelatu in south-western Estonia.
Country Activities
Estonia ◆ Mowing the wooded meadows, under the supervision of
local experts.
Date ◆ Raking and removing hay from the meadow.
2014 ◆ Running awareness-raising workshops on the protection and
management of wooded meadows, and their sustainable
development.
163
11 Finland
Fortress of Suomenlinna
description.
The Governing Body of
Suomenlinna
Country
Finland
Date
2015 2016 2017
164
12 France
Arsenal de Rochefort et fortifications de l’estuaire de la
Charente
Name of Organization The Arsenal of Rochefort with the fortifications of the Charente estuary
is a collection of fortified constructions built in the seventeenth century.
Solidarités Jeunesses
It was built from scratch by King Louis XIV and was intended to prevent
France
any enemy from landing. Fort Liédot, located on the island of Aix, forms
Country part of the Arsenal. Its strategic position at the mouth of the Charente
France estuary was taken into account later by the Emperor Napoleon in
1810, who decided to build an ‘indestructible and inviolable fort’ in the
Date region using stones from the Crazannes quarry. The fort was mainly
2008 2009 2010 2012 2013 2015 used as a jail.

◆ Contributing to the regular maintenance and restoration
work of the site, as well as raising awareness about Fort
‘First of all, the project had an impact
on us working in the municipality, Liédot.
because we had to start working
very quickly to host the volunteers
Activities
and organize the activities. But it also ◆ Working in two groups on different tasks and renovation
had an impact on all the other people methods.
involved who have made it possible
◆ Renovating a second walkway to create a larger sightseeing
for us to gain the community’s
tour.
recognition and gratitude.’
◆ Dismantling walls, sorting and recalibrating stones in order
to rebuild them exactly how they were.
◆ Renovating the Fort’s ancient kitchen.
© Solidarités Jeunesses France
165
13 France
The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral
Cultural Landscape
Name of Organization This property in the southern part of central France is a mountain
landscape interspersed by deep valleys, covering more than 3,000
Concordia France
hectares. Villages and substantial stone farmhouses on the deep
Country terraces of the Causses reflect the organization of large abbeys from
France the eleventh century. The relationship between the agropastoral

systems and their biophysical environment is evidenced by the drailles,
Date or drove roads, which are still used to transfer livestock between
2012 2013 grazing grounds on a seasonal cycle.

◆ Renovating the old farm of Colobrières in order to transform
it into a cultural centre.
◆ Raising awareness on the property’s heritage among
volunteers, the local community and general public.
Activities
◆ Participating in cleaning, building and renovation activities.
◆ Participating in an ‘Open Doors Day’ with the local
community.
◆ Taking part in cultural and heritage workshops.
166
14 France
Jurisdiction of Saint-Émilion
© Union REMPART
The Jurisdiction of Saint-Émilion is an exceptional landscape devoted entirely to wine growing, with many fine
historic monuments in its towns and villages. The Saint-Émilion area prospered due to its location on the pilgrimage
route to Santiago de Compostela, and many churches, monasteries and hospices were built there from the eleventh
century onwards.

REMPART ◆ Promoting the site and raising community awareness about
its historical and common values by involving the volunteers
Country and local community in its restoration and preservation
France activities.
Activities
Date
2010 2013 2014 2016 ◆ Carrying out restoration activities, under the supervision of
Adichats, an association Youth and Popular Education, and
a member of REMPART) and the guidance of a traditional
stonemason.
◆ Collecting rubbish.
◆ Restoring and repairing a traditional long stone wall
between a small road and typical vineyards.
167
15 France
Parc national de la Vanoise
© Concordia France
The Vanoise National Park is located in the Tarentaise Valley in the French Alps. It is the first French national park,
and was created in 1963 after protests by environmentalists against a tourism project that threatened local flora
and fauna. It shares 14 km of common border with the Gran Paradiso National Park in Italy and covers 1,250 km² of
protected area, the largest in Europe.

Concordia France ◆ Ensuring improved visibility of the Vanoise Park.
◆ Increasing awareness about issues facing the Park’s
Country environmental and cultural heritage.
France
Activities
Date ◆ Renovating the Route du Sel et du Beaufort path by
2011 rebuilding a dry-stone wall and barriers to prevent erosion.
◆ Organizing and participating in workshops and visits about
the park’s history and wildlife, focusing on the heritage
dimension.
◆ Organizing a press conference to develop ecotourism in the
park.
168
16 Germany
Classical Weimar
© European Heritage Volunteers
This project is a best practice; please refer to page 152 for its
description.
European Heritage
Volunteers
Country
Germany
Date
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
169
17 Germany
Maulbronn Monastery Complex
Name of Organization Founded in 1147, the Cistercian Maulbronn Monastery is considered

the most complete and best-preserved medieval monastic complex
Bürgerverein Schmie
north of the Alps. Surrounded by fortified walls, the main buildings
c/o European Heritage
Volunteers were constructed between the twelfth and the sixteenth centuries.
The monastery’s church, mainly in the Transitional Gothic style, had
Country a major influence in the spread of Gothic architecture over much of
Germany northern and central Europe.

2016 ◆ Restoring, repairing and conserving the monks’ water-
management system and irrigation canals and reservoirs,
which have lain unused and abandoned over recent
centuries.
◆ Raising awareness about the property among the volunteers
and the local community.
◆ Promoting the property by involving the volunteers and local
community in the ongoing restoration work.
Activities
◆ Participating in maintenance and restoration activities.
◆ Surveying the historical ditches.
◆ Removing the deposits.
◆ Installing leaf litter rakes.
◆ Removing undergrowth.
◆ Repairing dams with natural materials, under the supervision
of experts.
◆ Studying the medieval monasteries’ life, local history and
environmental topics.
◆ Raising awareness about the property.
◆ Making an information panel about the property.
◆ Running a promotional campaign in the local press.
170
18 Germany
Upper Middle Rhine Valley
This 65-km stretch of the Middle Rhine Valley, with its castles, historic towns and vineyards, graphically illustrates the
long history of human involvement with its dramatic and varied natural landscape. It is intimately associated with
history and legend, and for centuries has exercised a powerful influence on writers, artists and composers.

European Heritage ◆ Focusing on the diversity of the cultural landscape of the
Volunteers Upper Middle Rhine Valley. Showing the practical and
theoretical aspects of maintaining a World Heritage
Country property.
Germany
Activities
Date ◆ Working on conservation in the area.
2016 2017 ◆ Restoring the historical dry-stone wall system between the
former vineyards, under the guidance of experienced masons.
◆ Supporting the maintenance of biotopes by cutting long-
grass meadows at slopes with brush cutters.
◆ Learning to cut grasses in the traditional way, using scythes.
◆ Visiting different locations in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley.
◆ Learning about biodiversity and the endangered flora and
fauna.
171
19 Iceland
Þingvellir National Park
Name of Organization Þingvellir (Thingvellir) is the National Park where the Althing, an open-
air assembly representing the whole of Iceland, was established in 930
SEEDS Iceland
and continued to take place until 1798. Over the course of a two-week
Country period every year, the assembly would establish formal laws and settle
Iceland disputes. The Althing retains deep historical and symbolic associations
for the people of Iceland today.
Date The property includes the Þingvellir National Park and the remains of
2013 the Althing itself, consisting of fragments of around 50 booths built
from turf and stone. Remains from the tenth century are thought to
be buried underground, and the property also includes remnants of
agricultural use from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

◆ Working to safeguard this unique property and helping to
support its upkeep and preservation.
Activities
◆ Working in the woodlands of Þingvellir.
◆ Cleaning up dead branches.
◆ Digging up some non-native plant species.
◆ Planting birch trees.
◆ Making walking paths.
© UNESCO / Francesco Bandarin
172
20 Italy
Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre
Annunziata
© YAP - Youth Action for Peace
Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, engulfing the two flourishing Roman towns of Pompei and Herculaneum, as well
as the many wealthy villas in the area. These have been progressively excavated and made accessible to the public
since the mid-eighteenth century. The vast expanse of the commercial town of Pompei contrasts with the smaller
but better-preserved remains of Herculaneum.

Youth Action for Peace ◆ Raising awareness in the local community about the
Italy archaeological areas of Herculaneum, and about the work
of WHV and the International Voluntary Service.
Country ◆ Promoting the safeguarding of the heritage among local
Italy
youth.
Date Activities
2014 2015 ◆ Learning about the daily work of the Herculaneum
Conservation Project.
◆ Attending workshops about the archaeological site.
‘From my experience, I can say that ◆ Attending cultural events with local associations, and
it’s easy to integrate the international meeting with local social and cultural institutions.
volunteers into the organization’s
◆ Working on a social media campaign to share information
different activities because they arrive
with a positive and dynamic attitude about the site.
and are interested in the work and ◆ Producing a documentary of interviews with citizens and
how they can contribute.'
tourists.
◆ Carrying out on-site maintenance.
173
21 Italy
Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archaeological
sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula
Name of Organization The Cilento is an outstanding cultural landscape. The dramatic groups
of sanctuaries and settlements along its three east–west mountain
Legambiente
ridges vividly portray the area’s historical evolution: it was a major
Country route not only for trade, but also for cultural and political interaction
Italy during the prehistoric and medieval periods. The Cilento was also
the boundary between the Greek colonies of Magna Graecia and the
Date indigenous Etruscan and Lucanian peoples. The remains of two major
2010 cities from classical times, Paestum and Velia, are found there.

◆ Facilitating visits to the property.
◆ Making the property more attractive by means of
preservation activities.
Activities
◆ Helping to maintain the city walls of the Paestum
archaeological site.
◆ Cleaning up the pine woods along the side of the beaches,
i.e. cutting the grass and removing weeds around the
historical area.
© Legambiente
174
22 Italy
Ferrara, City of the Renaissance, and its Po Delta
Name of Organization Ferrara, established around a ford over the River Po, became an
intellectual and artistic centre, attracting the greatest minds of the
Comitato Fondo Ambiente
Italian Renaissance in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The
Italiano di Ferrara
humanist concept of the ‘ideal city’ was established in Ferrara, in
Country the neighbourhoods built from 1492 onwards by Biagio Rossetti
Italy according to the new principles of perspective. The completion of this
project marked the birth of modern town planning and influenced its
Date subsequent development.
2014
◆ Facilitating visits to the property.
◆ Making the property safer and more comfortable for tourists.
Activities
◆ Taking part in guided tours of the property.
◆ Cleaning the valleys.
◆ Participating in beachcombing.
175
23 Italy
Historic Centre of Naples
© OUR PLACE The World Heritage Collection *
From the Neapolis founded by Greek settlers in 470 BC to the vibrant, bustling city of today, Naples has retained
the imprint of the successive cultures that emerged in Europe and the Mediterranean basin. This makes it a unique
World Heritage property, with a wealth of outstanding monuments such as the Church of Santa Chiara and the
Castel Nuovo.

Vedi Napoli ◆ Sensitizing the local population and associations about
heritage.
Country ◆ Using volunteers as World Heritage ambassadors to promote
Italy the heritage.
◆ Improving the aesthetics of the main square.
Date
2013 2014 Activities
◆ Attending a two-day training session on World Heritage,
Patrimonito and the International Voluntary Service.
‘A lot of people who had never ◆ Taking a guided tour of the Historic Centre of Naples.
taken part in these kinds of projects ◆ Running an awareness-raising campaign about heritage.
before made themselves available
◆ Giving a presentation about heritage in volunteers’ home
to help the volunteers. They never
asked anything in exchange for countries, looking at the problems and solutions linked with
giving a hand, everyone always preservation.
supported us. I can even say that we
◆ Carrying out on-site maintenance work.
have discovered a real connection
between the local actors. We could
feel this will of mutual aid, which
wasn’t that obvious before the
project’.
176
24 Italy
Portovenere, Cinque Terre and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino
and Tinetto)
The Ligurian coast between Cinque Terre and Portovenere is a cultural landscape of great scenic and cultural value.
The layout and disposition of the small towns and the shaping of the surrounding landscape, overcoming the
disadvantages of a steep, uneven terrain, encapsulate the continuous history of human settlement in this region over
the past millennium.

Legambiente ◆ Raising awareness among the authorities and local people
about the natural and cultural importance of the property.
Country ◆ Encouraging the protection of the property.
Italy
Activities
Date ◆ Helping to maintain paths and terraces located in the park to
2010 make the property more attractive to tourists.
◆ Making traditional products, such as pesto and other sauces.

Tu Quoque ◆ Working and conserving the land of the Cinque Terre with
traditional knowledge and local culture.
Country ◆ Reconstructing the dry-stone walls sustaining the grounds
Italy of the terraced vineyards, which were damaged in the
torrential rains of 2011, causing massive flooding and
Date landslides in the Cinque Terre.
2015
Activities
◆ Learning how to rebuild the dry-stone walls with local
experts.
◆ Teaching tourists and locals about terraced landscapes.
© Legambiente
177
25 Italy
The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera
© Legambiente
The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera are the most outstanding, intact example of a troglodyte
settlement in the Mediterranean region, perfectly adapted to its terrain and ecosystem. The first inhabited zone dates
from the Palaeolithic period, while later settlements illustrate a number of significant stages in human history. More
than 150 ‘rock-cut’ churches are carved out of the spectacular hillsides of Matera.

Legambiente ◆ Using preservation activities to encourage authorities,
the local community and citizens to discover and further
Country appreciate their cultural heritage property.
Italy
Activities
Date ◆ Working on the restoration of a path to improve access from
2010 the Sassi archaeological area to the natural park.

◆ Helping prevent fires and safeguarding the park under the
supervision of the local staff.
178
26 Italy
Su Nuraxi di Barumini
Name of Organization Towards the end of the second millennium BC in the Bronze Age, a
completely unique type of defensive structures known as nuraghi
Fondazione Barumini
was developed on the island of Sardinia. Nuraghi consist of circular
Sistema Cultura
defensive towers in the form of truncated cones built of dressed stone,
Country with corbel-vaulted internal chambers. The complex at Barumini,
Italy extended and reinforced the under Carthaginian pressure during
the first millennium, is the finest and most complete example of this
Date remarkable form of prehistoric architecture.
2012
◆ Restoring and preserving the property of Su Nuraxi.
Activities
◆ Participating in excavations that have taken place in Su
Nuraxi since 1950.
◆ Working on the restoration and cataloguing of archaeological
remains from the property.
© Fondazione Barumini Sistema Cultura
179
27 Italy
Venice and its Lagoon
© Legambiente
Founded in the fifth century and extending over 118 small islands, Venice became a major maritime power in the
tenth century. The whole city is an extraordinary architectural masterpiece, in which even the smallest building
contains works by some of the world’s greatest artists. Certosa Island is located in the splendid landscape of the Park
of the Lagoon, occupying a prime strategic position between the old city centre and the open sea.

Legambiente ◆ Preserving and restoring the archaeological, natural and
cultural heritage of Certosa in order to boost the appeal of a
Country less famous part of Venice lagoon.
Italy ◆ Raising awareness about both cultural and environmental
values.
Date
◆ Improving ecological and cultural education in the region.
2009 2010
Activities
◆ Participating in making Certosa’s park more accessible to
locals, tourists and archaeological researchers by developing
and maintaining the natural paths.
◆ Organizing activities and events involving the community
and the local environmental organizations.
180
28 Lithuania
Curonian Spit
Human beings have lived in this elongated sand-dune peninsula since prehistoric times. Stretching over 98 km,
the Spit has always been vulnerable to the natural forces of the winds and waves. Its survival has only been possible
as a result of ceaseless human efforts to combat its erosion, which today are dramatically illustrated by continued
stabilization and reforestation projects.

Lithuanian Fund for Nature ◆ Preserving the Curonian Spit’s biodiversity as a part of a
World Heritage landscape by eradicating invasive species
Country and increasing public awareness about eutrophication – the
Lithuania biggest threat to the Baltic Sea, Curonian Lagoon and their
coastal areas.
Date
Activities
2015
◆ Clearing areas affected by the invasive plant Robinia
pseudoakacija.
◆ Running an environmental awareness campaign about
eutrophication in the Baltic Sea.
◆ Supporting educational events about eutrophication.
◆ Teaching visitors how to use the eutrophication footprint
calculator.
181
29 Montenegro
Durmitor National Park
Name of Organization Durmitor National Park comprises the Mount Durmitor plateau and
the valley formed by the canyon of the River Tara, incorporating three
Association for Democratic
major geomorphologic features: canyons, mountains and plateaux.
Prosperity-Zid
This breathtaking national park was formed by glaciers and is traversed
Country by rivers and underground streams. Along the Tara River canyon,
Montenegro which has the deepest gorges in Europe, the dense pine forests are
interspersed with clear lakes and are home to a wide range of endemic
Date flora. Thanks to its geographical location and range in altitude, the
2015 park has two microclimates − Mediterranean and alpine − which has
resulted in an exceptional range of species.

◆ Sustainably managing the dwellings and the environment
in Durmitor.
◆ Promoting Montenegro in general.
◆ Empowering the local community and developing a
responsible attitude towards natural resources.
◆ Becoming an exemplary practice for other communities in
the north of Montenegro.
Activities
◆ Attending workshops on composting.
◆ Conducting a promotional campaign in the city of Žabljak,
focusing on sustainable development and composting.
◆ Building home composting units.
182
30 Netherlands
Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie
© Rob Zakee, Projectbureau NHW
The Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie is a military defence line that defined Fort Holland as the administrative and
economic heart of the Netherlands. It was designed to keep out invaders by the controlled flooding of a chain of
inundation fields up to a depth of one metre.
The inundation line was laid in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and runs from Fort Naarden to Fort Steurgat
in the Biesbosch. The line consists of a system of waterworks and over 1,000 forts, casemates, sluices and wooden
houses. The Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie is one of the largest projects ever undertaken in the Netherlands.

Projectbureau Nieuwe ◆ Making the area more accessible by connecting buildings,
Hollandse Waterline building knowledge and raising awareness about the
(PNHV) Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie, particularly in primary
schools and among regional volunteers.
Country
Netherlands Activities
◆ Creating two walking tracks.
Date ◆ Improving the visibility and attractiveness of the Waterlinie
2013 2014 buildings.
◆ Producing an educational booklet for primary schools.
◆ Meeting with local volunteers and organizations to share
knowledge about World Heritage.
◆ Producing a promotional film on World Heritage and on
what it means to be a volunteer.
183
31 Portugal
Historic Centre of Évora
Name of Organization The roots of this museum-city go back to Roman times, but its golden
age was in the fifteenth century, when it became the residence of the
Portuguese kings. Its unique beauty stems from the whitewashed
Country houses decorated with azulejos (tiles) and wrought-iron balconies
Portugal dating from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century. Its monuments
had a profound influence on Portuguese architecture in Brazil.
Date
2014 2015
◆ Ensuring the active participation of Évora’s youth in the
preservation of the Historic Centre.
◆ Educating youth about the challenges and responsibilities of
managing and preserving the Historic Centre.
◆ Instilling a sense of community in the restoration of the
World Heritage property.
Activities
◆ Learning how to maintain the integrity of architecture while
working with limestone.
◆ Taking guided tours of a geology laboratory.
◆ Learning how to apply limestone on degraded public walls.
© Municipality of Évora
184
32 Russian Federation
Bolgar Historical and Archaeological Complex
Name of Organization This site lies on the shores of the River Volga, south of its confluence with
the River Kama, and south of the capital of Tatarstan, Kazan. The site
Cultural World
contains evidence of the medieval city of Bolgar, an early settlement
Heritage Centre, of the Volga-Bolgar people, who lived there between the seventh and
Kazan Federal fifteenth centuries AD, and was the first capital of the Golden Horde in
the thirteenth century. Bolgar represents several centuries of cultural
University
exchanges and transformations in Eurasia that played a pivotal role in
Country the formation of civilizations, customs and cultural traditions.
Russia
◆ Contributing to the property’s conservation and promoting
Date
World Heritage volunteering in the region.
2017
◆ Raising awareness about the property’s values.
◆ Improving the communication between the property’s
residents and its administration.
Activities
◆ Carrying out maintenance and conservation activities at the
property.
◆ Helping archaeologists to carry out excavations.
◆ Processing artefacts (sorting, cleaning and labelling
archaeological finds).
◆ Interviewing the local community.
◆ Participating in awareness-raising activities.
◆ Producing a film about volunteering in Bolgar.
© Kristina Yakovleva
185
Cultural and Historic Ensemble of the Solovetsky Islands
Name of Organization The Solovetsky Archipelago comprises six islands in the western part
of the White Sea, covering 300 km2. The islands have been inhabited
Center of International
since the fifth century BC and important traces of human presence
Youth and Student
exchange voluntary from as far back as the fifth millennium BC can be found there. The
programs 'World4u' archipelago has been the site of intense monastic activity since the
fifteenth century, and there are several churches dating from the
Country sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries.
Russia
Date ◆ Helping to preserve the property.
2016 2017 ◆ Enriching the biodiversity of the islands’ ecosystem by
carrying out practical and educational activities.
◆ Raising awareness about the preservation of the property
among the local community and visitors.
Activities
◆ Working at the Botanical Garden.
◆ Planting, weeding and fertilizing trees, herbs and flowers.
◆ Producing videos and photo campaigns to promote the site.
◆ Participating in workshops and presentations about the
importance of heritage preservation, to raise awareness
among locals, tourists and Russian volunteers.
© Center of International Youth and Student exchange voluntary programs 'World4u'.
186
Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of
Monuments
© MIR TESEN
Known as the ‘Venice of the North’, with its numerous canals and more than 400 bridges, Saint Petersburg is the result
of a vast urban project started in 1703 under Peter the Great. Later known as Leningrad (in the former USSR), the city
is closely associated with the October Revolution. Its architectural heritage reconciles the very different Baroque and
pure neoclassical styles, as can be seen in the Admiralty, the Winter Palace, the Marble Palace and the Hermitage.

Mir Tesen ◆ Assisting with restoration work in several sites in the suburbs
and in the Leningrad region.
Country ◆ Learning about the World Heritage properties.
Russia
◆ Exchanging and sharing experiences about how different
countries safeguard and protect heritage.
Date
2012 2013 2014 2016 2017 Activities
◆ Visiting the World Heritage properties.
◆ Learning about different ways to reconstruct and renovate
heritage.
‘Exchanging perspectives with ◆ Carrying out maintenance activities.

the volunteers and sharing our ◆ Learning about the local culture and gastronomy.
experiences with them is having a
◆ Presenting your home country’s World Heritage sites.
positive impact on us as organizers
and on our daily work. They give ◆ Discussing and sharing heritage protection experiences.
us a broader perspective and it is
rewarding.'
187
Lake Baikal
Situated in south-east Siberia, and covering 3.15 million hectares, Lake Baikal is the oldest and deepest lake in the
world. Dating back 25 million years and with depths of up to 1,700 m, it contains 20% of the world's total unfrozen
freshwater reserve. Known as the 'Galapagos of Russia', its age and isolation have produced one of the world's richest
and most unusual freshwater faunas, which is of exceptional value to evolutionary science.

SFERA Movement ◆ Highlighting the uniqueness of Lake Baikal as a natural
World Heritage property by raising awareness about the
Country environmental protection and conservation of natural
Russia resources.
◆ Building partnerships with local government, companies,
Date NGOs and the media.
2011 2012 2013 2014
◆ Promoting international environmental voluntary service
among young people.
Activities
◆ Participating in environmental sorties to monitor the coast
purity and implement waste management.
◆ Collaborating with local media and running a communication
and PR campaign.
◆ Organizing an awareness-raising seminar and training
sessions using non-formal education methods.

The Great Baikal Trail ◆ Promoting the development of sustainable and socially
responsible ecotourism on a regional level.
Country ◆ Improving the protection of the bird population, as well as
Russia the existing condition of the Baikal Nature Reserve.
Date Activities
2017 ◆ Helping the Reserve modify the birds’ ringing station and its
exterior.
◆ Becoming familiar with the management of the nature
museum and biosphere reserve.
◆ Attending classes on nature interpretation and trail-building.
◆ Interacting with the community, experiencing the local
culture and gastronomy.
188
Virgin Komi Forests
© SFERA Movement
The Virgin Komi Forests cover 3.28 million ha of tundra and mountain tundra in the Urals, making them one of the
most extensive areas of virgin boreal forest remaining in Europe. This vast area of conifers, aspens, birches, peat bogs,
rivers and natural lakes has been monitored and studied for over 50 years. It provides valuable evidence of the natural
processes affecting biodiversity in the Taiga.

SFERA Movement ◆ Involving international and local youth in the preservation of
natural heritage.
Country ◆ Improving the ecological state of the natural reserve.
Russia
◆ Raising awareness among the local, national and
international community about the property’s importance,
Date
its ecological issues and its preservation.
2017
Activities
◆ Exploring the Taiga forest by raft.
◆ Visiting different spots along the river and signposting tourist
trails.
◆ Carrying out maintenance activities at the property.
◆ Producing a short video on the importance of forest
preservation.
189
37 Serbia
Caričin Grad – Iustiniana Prima, archaeological site
Name of Organization Located in south-east Serbia, the fortified settlement of Caričin

Grad lies away from any major roads on the slopes of Mount Radan.
Institute for Cultural
Iustiniana Prima was built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I
Heritage Preservation NIŠ
(527–565) near to his birthplace. The Emperor built a new administrative
Country and archbishopric seat to strengthen the rule of Byzantium and help
Serbia spread Christianity. However, the settlement did not last long due to
Emperor Heraclius (610–641) and the invasions of Slavic tribes.
Date
2017
◆ Rescuing the most damaged parts of the site, such as
decorated stone.
◆ Raising awareness on the importance of heritage.
Activities
◆ Participating in preventive stone conservation.
◆ Learning about the protection of natural and cultural
heritage in Serbia and on the site.
◆ Attending classes about stone as a building material, stone
degradation, stone testing and stone conservation.
◆ Producing an in situ exhibition on rescued stone elements
with explanatory panels and flyers.
◆ Participating in guided visits.
© Aleksandar Ćirić
190
38 Slovakia
Historic Town of Banská Štiavnica and the Technical
Monuments in its Vicinity
© Lubica Pincikova*
Over the centuries, the town of Banská Štiavnica was visited by many outstanding engineers and
scientists who contributed to its fame. The old medieval mining centre grew into a town with Renaissance
palaces, 16th-century churches, elegant squares and castles. The urban centre blends into the surrounding
landscape, which contains vital relics of the mining and metallurgical activities of the past. Presently, the site
is considered as one of the biggest and most remarkable monuments of its kind in central Europe.

The Calvary Fund ◆ Raising awareness between young people toward things
which happen around them so they become active citizens
Country wherever they are.
Slovakia ◆ Offering the volunteers the possibility to become part of the
reconstruction process of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Date
2014 Activities
◆ Painting the newly reconstructed wooden roofs of the
chapels with protective paint,
◆ Cleaning the interior of the churches
◆ Maintaining the site´s meadows and other green areas
with mowing-machines.
◆ Collecting rubbish and cleaning the interior and exterior of
the buildings.
191
39 Ukraine
L'viv – the Ensemble of the Historic Centre
© Silvan Rehfeld
The city of L’viv, founded in the late Middle Ages, was a flourishing administrative, religious and commercial centre
for several centuries. The medieval urban environment has remained virtually intact, offering a unique historical
perspective of the different ethnic communities who lived there. With its fine Baroque and later buildings, L’viv is
an outstanding example of the fusion of architectural and artistic traditions between Eastern Europe and Italy and
Germany.

All-Ukrainian Association ◆ Raising awareness about World Heritage issues among the
for Youth Co-operation local community and the volunteers, to campaign for L’viv’s
Alternative-V preservation.
◆ Promoting non-formal education methods about World
Country
Heritage.
Ukraine
Activities
Date ◆ Working on the renovation of the historical park, including
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2014 2015 earthworks, painting, plastering and masonry.
◆ Organizing World Heritage educational activities.
◆ Organizing a press conference at the City Hall about the
project.
◆ Producing a World Heritage exhibition.
◆ Organizing heritage workshops with children and families.
‘The volunteers were very much involved in all kind of restoration activities; we first had a lot of informative sessions
about the site, using both formal and non-formal education, so that they could learn a lot about it. We wanted them
to have as much direct and practical work as possible.’
192
© Bulgarian Archaeological Associati
08 12
10
07 09
06
11
05
04
Argentina
1. Quebrada de Humahuaca
0200
Bolivia
2. Historic City of Sucre
0201
10. Historic Centre of Morelia
3. Incallajta, the largest Inca 0209
site in the Kollasuyo 11. Pre-Hispanic City and
0202
National Park of Palenque
0212
Colombia 12. Pre-Hispanic City of
4. Los Katíos National Park Teotihuacan 14
0203 13
0214 16
Costa Rica 17
Peru
5. Corcovado National Park 13. Chan Chan Archaeological
and Isla del Caño Biological 15
Zone
Reserve 0215
0204
14. The Historic Centre of
Cajamarca
Jamaica 0216
6. Blue and John Crow 15. Historic Centre of Lima
Mountains 0217
0205 16. Huascarán National Park
0218
Mexico 17. Sacred City of Caral-Supe
7. Archaeological 0219
Monuments Zone of
Xochicalco Saint Lucia
0206 18. Pitons Management Area
8. Churches of the Zoque 0220
Province
0207 Venezuela (Bolivarian
9. Earliest 16th-Century Republic of)
Monasteries on the Slopes of 19. Ciudad Universitaria de
Popocatepetl Caracas
0208 0221
Latin America
and the
Caribbean
18
19
03
02
01
©UNESCO
10 Mexico
Historic Centre of Morelia

Vive Mexico With over 200 historic buildings, the Historic Centre of Morelia
epitomizes the Spanish Renaissance and the Mesoamerican
Year experience. Teaming up with the municipal government, the project
2008 2010 2012 2013 2014 showed a remarkable capacity to strengthen sustainable cooperation
between NGOs, site managers, local communities and institutions
WHV objectives working in World Heritage protection.
The project engaged volunteers and local communities in the
preservation of the historic town centre of Morelia, by carrying out
maintenance and restoration activities on ancient buildings and
monuments.
Heritage.
2 Involve young people in World Description and definition of the projects as a best
Heritage preservation through practice
concrete projects at sites. 'Muchos pocos hacen un mucho' [many a little makes a mickle]. At
4 Strengthen sustainable first glance, 20 international and national volunteers does not seem
cooperation between non-profit very many. But multiply this with the involvement and participation
organizations, site management, of local authorities, and the impact is much more powerful!
The volunteers were involved in cleaning and restoring around ten
of the historic buildings and public facilities. These activities taught
them how to restore ancient buildings and use special techniques
to clean stone. Slowly but surely, the success of the project gained
the trust of the site managers, and strengthened the partnership
with the town hall, which provided resources and technical support.
As a result, local people also requested help in restoring their own
houses, getting involved in follow-up initiatives and maintenance
work throughout the year once the project had come to an end.
Not only did this project achieve results by visibly cleaning and
restoring monuments, it also helped to connect hundreds of people
through its activities.
196
Best practices
La t i n A m eri ca a n d t h e Caribbe an

The key to this project’s success was the collaboration with the
“ I believe that going to another
country and seeing how people
live there, experiencing their
culture and taking that back to our
own countries is really important.
People back home often hold
municipal government, whose technical advice and financial
support ensured the quality of the restoration work. Not only prejudices and only hear bad things
about the country in the news, so we
did the project visibly enhance the property by cleaning and
tell them what we did as volunteers,
restoring ancient buildings, but it also contributed to awakening
how the project was, we help to
a collective conscience about the importance of preserving the show another part of the world, that
World Heritage. Thanks to the involvement and participation of we are not the only ones, we are not
the international volunteers, the local communities were inspired the best and that we can learn from
and motivated to take part in the preservation and promotion of others. By simply showing another
place, like when we publish photos
heritage. The local youth expressed growing interest in learning
of the country and the work we did
new languages and in ways of communicating their rich cultural
on social networks, people back
heritage to the rest of the world. The local communities learned home are impressed by the beauty
how to present the site and carry out awareness-raising activities of the country and how great the
„
using materials supplied by the government and the UNESCO projects and the work are. It’s a
World Heritage Centre. fantastic way of appealing to new
volunteers.

participation?
By collaborating with each other in the renovation activities, the Returned volunteers reported
volunteers and local youth had a unique opportunity to discover significant increases in their
each other’s cultures through informal interaction. openness towards interacting with
other cultures, including different
religious and economic systems.
◆ Spanish language and translation
◆ Restoration techniques
◆ Stone-cleaning techniques Returned volunteers reported
significant increases in their active
participation in the life of their own
communities. Engagement and
◆ Learning about the history and culture of
the Spanish Renaissance and Mesoamerica active participation in the life of our
societies is a long-term objective
◆ Understanding the local context of heritage
and the legal protection mechanisms for camp organizers, both for the
local community members, and
the national and international
volunteers.
◆ Proactive participation
◆ Cultural openness
◆ Collaboration with local communities
197
13 Peru
Chan Chan Archaeological Zone

Brigada de Voluntarios Chan Chan, the capital of the disappeared Chimú Kingdom, was the
Bolivarianos del Perú largest earthen architecture city in pre-Columbian America. Once
(BVBP) covering an area of 20 km2 in a fertile river valley, the remains of this
city tell the tale of strict political and social hierarchies, reinforced
Year by its division into nine ‘citadels’. Sustained by advanced industrial,
2010 2011 2012 2014 2015 agricultural and water management systems, Chan Chan reached
the height of its powers in the fifteenth century before falling to the
WHV objectives Incas.
Today, the city is on the List of World Heritage in Danger, threatened by
urban encroachment and illegal farming. The stand-out achievement
of this project is the reconstruction of the Chan Chan Archaeological
Zone, which was carried out with the help of volunteers who took
Heritage.
part in cleaning campaigns, training and workshops with the support
3 Empower young people
of local experts. The project is also an excellent example of involving
allowing them to learn skills, basic
and engaging local communities in awareness-raising campaigns.
Since it was first implemented, the project has collaborated closely
with neighbouring areas, and in particular with students from local
schools and universities.
global citizens.
Description and definition of the project as a best
cooperation between non-profit practice
This clearly defined project is well-suited to the needs of the Chan
Chan World Heritage property, particularly with regard to its
continued conservation and meeting the many challenges of tourism
and public use.
The project was carried out in three different stages: conservation,

protection and education. One of the most visible and immediate
results came from restoring and cleaning the archaeological site,
through activities such as preparing the clay to make adobe bricks.
This not only helped to develop and maintain the Chan Chan property,
but also provided a vivid outdoor classroom for the volunteers and
local communities to learn about conservation skills and heritage.
Educational activities in schools, such as painting and drawing

contests, theatre plays and local community involvement in cleaning
campaigns, helped to strengthen awareness on the cultural value of
the property. Local communities were given the opportunity to join in
the efforts to protect the property, and to work alongside the national
and international volunteers.

From the very beginning, the Chan Chan project had a strong national
© Brigada de Voluntarios Bolivarianos del Perú profile, as evidenced by the high national media coverage. It not only
198
Best practices
alerted local authorities, civil society and the government to the

state of conservation of this World Heritage property, but also
gave them the chance to become involved in its restoration.
On a more local level, the project created a valuable opportunity

to enhance cooperation and mutual understanding among the
international volunteers and the local communities. Involving
the local communities was very positive – as a result, they no
longer invade or throw rubbish around the property, particularly
once they learned that government institutions were supporting © Brigada de Voluntarios
Bolivarianos del Perú
and participating in the project.

participation?
The project enhanced youth participation both by practical work
and awareness-raising activities undertaken in partnership
between the volunteers and local communities, and especially
young people.
This very positive experience has shown that volunteering
is effective in encouraging the participation of local youth
in conserving and promoting the property’s tangible and
intangible values, and in strengthening their own cultural
identity. Through volunteering projects such as this, the Brigada
de Voluntarios Bolivarianos del Perú (BVBP) was able to open an © Brigada de Voluntarios
association in the Universidad Nacional de Trujillo that supports
these objectives.

Specif ic skills gained significant increases in their
◆ Historical construction techniques awareness of the consequences
◆
Archaeological restoration methods and of their daily actions on the
techniques environment, cultures and
◆ Interpersonal and communication skills societies.
◆ Running educational activities for children
Specif ic knowledge acquired Returned volunteers reported

◆ Understanding the conservation challenges significant increases in cultural
facing the Chan Chan property
openness. Culture was indicated
◆ Learning about local community culture
by community representatives
as a key element at stake in the
Specif ic attitudes developed implementation of the projects:
◆ Adaptation to change and tolerance volunteers reported increased
◆ Self-awareness and self-confidence cultural awareness and openness,
◆ Cross-cultural collaboration with a deeper understanding
◆ Cultural openness being positively associated with
repeated volunteer experiences
and exposure to an international
environment.
199
1 Argentina
Quebrada de Humahuaca
Name of Organization Quebrada de Humahuaca follows the line of the Camino Inca cultural
route along the spectacular Valley of the Rio Grande, from its source
Subir al Sur
in the cold high desert plateau of the High Andean lands to its
Country confluence with the Rio Leone some 150 km to the south. The valley
Argentina shows substantial evidence of its use as a major trade route over the
past 10,000 years, with visible traces of prehistoric hunter-gatherer
Date communities, the Inca Empire (fifteenth to sixteenth centuries) and of
2012 the fight for independence in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Together with trade, the Quebrada de Humahuaca Valley served as a
conduit for both people and ideas from the high Andean lands down
to the plains.
‘Volunteers show us the world as

smaller and less distant.’
◆ Raising awareness about the Quebrada de Humahuaca
property, and the tangible and intangible heritage of the
region.
Activities
◆ Building the Maimara’s Museum of Memory with the local
community.
◆ Studying the documentation on the declaration of the
Quebrada de Humahuaca as World Heritage.
◆ Assisting with audio and video interviews and with the
recuperation of historical objects.
© UNESCO / Francesco Bandarin
200
2 Bolivia
Historic City of Sucre
Name of Organization Sucre, the first capital of Bolivia, was founded by the Spanish in the
first half of the sixteenth century. The abundance of sixteenth-century
Red Tinku
religious buildings, such as San Lázaro, San Francisco and Santo
Country Domingo, illustrate the blending of local architectural traditions with
Bolivia styles imported from Europe.

Date
◆ Creating a place for communication between urban and
2016
rural local populations and local institutions, in order to
build long-term solidarity to safeguard the World Heritage
property.
◆ Raising awareness among the volunteers and local
communities about World Heritage issues and ensuring
intercultural exchanges.
Activities
◆ Learning about traditional agricultural practices, local
artisanal handicrafts and weaving techniques through visits
to rural communities.
◆ Participating in workshops, dialogue tables and meetings on
the preservation of the site.
◆ Producing an exhibition about the Historic City of Sucre in
order to promote the site and raise awareness among local
community and visitors about the need to sustainably
© UNESCO / A. Sandoval-Ruiz
preserve the property.
‘Volunteers should also be trained about the environment where the

project is going to take place and learn more about the situations
they’re going to face here and how things are really going to be
here. Because it’s so different from where they come from.’
201
3 Bolivia
Incallajta, the largest Inca site in the Kollasuyo
Incallajta, with a surface area of 67 ha, is one of the main Inca sites in Bolivia. Once they had conquered the Collao
territories, the Incas marched deep into the semi-tropical valleys of what are now the Cochabamba and Santa Cruz
states. There, they established a series of cities, especially fortified to control the advances of the Chiriguano Indians.
The Incas built the fortified city of Incallajta around 1463 and 1472, during the rule of Tupa Inca Yupanqui. It was later
reconstructed by the Inca Huayana Capac.

Red Tinku ◆ Raising awareness about World Heritage issues such as
heritage conservation among the local communities, and
Country especially young people.
Bolivia
Activities
Date ◆ Producing educational posters and signboards to display
2012 within the Incallajta ruins.

◆ Organizing educational campaigns and conferences.
◆ Training on World Heritage and its importance in community
development.
202
4 Colombia
Los Katíos National Park
Extending over 72,000 ha in north-western Colombia, the park comprises two main regions: the mountains of the
Serranía del Darién to the west and in the east the floodplain of the Atrato River, the fastest-flowing in the world,
discharging 4,900 m3 of water into the Caribbean every second. The area is composed of two types of alluvial plains,
one with low-lying terraces that regularly flood and the other with high terraces that rarely flood. There are also hills
ranging from 250 m to 600 m high, and marshes.

Barranquilla+20 ◆ Raising awareness about the park and its World Heritage
among youth and on a national scale throughout Colombia.
Country ◆ Spreading the importance of conserving Los Katíos for
Colombia the country and its significance in heritage and natural
biodiversity by means of visits and activities at the site.
Date
◆ Increasing education for sustainable development.
2014
Activities
◆ Taking treks around the park.
◆ Getting to know the park by taking river trips.
◆ Holding meeting and talks with the local communities.
◆ Showcasing promotional videos on the park.
◆ Running media campaigns on the park.
203
5 Costa Rica
Corcovado National Park and Isla del Caño Biological Reserve

OSACOOP ◆ Raising awareness among famers about using toxic
agronomic products that affect the natural environment.
Country ◆ Encouraging farmers to develop a sustainable and eco-
Costa Rica friendly agricultural system.
Date Activities
2016 ◆ Learning from farmers about the toxicity of agrochemicals
and how to detect overuse.
◆ Participating in local environmental protection and activities
such as producing biological soap.
◆ Planting bamboo crops to make them available for the
future biochar production.
◆ Collecting microorganisms from the mountain for soil
restoration.
204
6 Jamaica
Blue and John Crow Mountains
The site encompasses a rugged and extensively forested mountainous region in the south-east of Jamaica, which
provided refuge first for the indigenous Tainos fleeing slavery and then for Maroons (former enslaved peoples). They
resisted the European colonial system in this isolated region by establishing a network of trails, hiding places and
settlements, which form the Nanny Town Heritage Route. The forests offered the Maroons everything they needed
for their survival. They developed strong spiritual connections with the mountains which is still apparent through the
intangible cultural legacy of, for example, religious rites, traditional medicine and dances. The site is also a biodiversity
hotspot for the Caribbean Islands with a high proportion of endemic plant species, especially lichens, mosses and
certain flowering plants.

Jamaica Conservation and ◆ Establishing a corporation of youth ambassadors in order to
Development Trust gain knowledge and skills about the promotion, values and
the importance of the site and its management.
Country ◆ Raising awareness among the locals and volunteers about
Jamaica
the site’s significance and exposing them to the outstanding
universal value of the national park.
Date
2017 Activities
◆ Removing invasive plants and planting native species under
the guidance of National Park Rangers.
◆ Designing exhibits for tourists and creating an educational
game for visitors to play after viewing the exhibits.
◆ Designing education activities about both natural and
cultural heritage targeting local youth.
◆ Taking part in a variety of cultural heritage activities with
Maroon communities, ranging from music to cooking.
◆ Sharing knowledge and experiences on different social
media platforms.
© JNHT
205
7 Mexico
Archaeological Monuments Zone of Xochicalco
© Voluntarios Internacionales Mexico A.C. (VIMEX)
Xochicalco is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a fortified political, religious and commercial

centre from the troubled period of 650–900 that followed the break-up of the great Mesoamerican states
such as Teotihuacan, Monte Albán, Palenque and Tikal.

Nataté Voluntariado ◆ Raising awareness and understanding among the local
Internacional A.C. population about the Outstanding Universal Value of the
Xochicalco site, through renovation and awareness-raising
Country activities.
Mexico
Activities
Date ◆ Developing access to the property.
2011 ◆ Improving the environment by weeding, litter picking,

pruning trees, setting anti-fire paths and fixing signs.
◆ Interacting with local communities.
◆ Running workshops.

Voluntarios Internacionales ◆ Promoting the protection, conservation and promotion of the
Mexico A.C. (VIMEX) site.
Country Activities
Mexico ◆ Making presentations in schools on volunteers’ countries,
cultures and World Heritage sites.
Date ◆ Presenting Mexico’s World Heritage sites.
2012 ◆ Carrying out recreational and cultural activities with students.
◆ Conducting maintenance and cleaning activities in the
green spaces with the local community.
206
8 Mexico
Churches of the Zoque Province*
This valuable historic complex includes 8 sixteenth century churches built under the guidance of Dominican
friars, whose goal was to evangelise the Zoque people, a culture which was still very much alive, and was
heir to one of the most ancient cultures in Mesoamerica. The building project was originally of European
design, but it soon acquired local features, and it is therefore one of a kind in Mexican Colonial art. The
presence of these churches triggered the development of a school of gilded and painted sculpture. The
Convent of Santo Domingo Tecpatan became the most important centre in the region, and is now the focal
point of efforts to recover the use of the Zoque language. Until present day, all 8 churches still preserve their
roles as spiritual guides for the local population.

Nataté Voluntariado ◆ Encouraging the locals and volunteers to work on the
Internacional A.C. protection of their cultural heritage.
◆ Promoting awareness for World Heritage protection and
Country conservation among the Zoque population.
Mexico
◆ Developing intercultural relationships.
Date Activities
2009 2010 2012 2013 ◆ Cleaning the river and the main site from mosses and
growing parasite vegetation.
◆ Waxing of all the wooden doors and windows of the temple.
◆ Maintaining and preserving the churches.
◆ Raising awareness through organizing “heritage focused”
workshops for schoolchildren and youth of the Zoque
province, in addition to different promotional activities on
World Heritage and environment protection.
◆ Creating a video and a photographic diary for the promotion
of the site.
◆ Learning about the local traditions (Zoque language,
traditional pre-Hispanic and Mexican folk dances, musical
instruments).
◆ Co-organizing a cultural Zoque festival.
◆ Visiting other cultural and natural heritage sites in the region.
* Site submitted to the tentative list in 2001 and withdrawn in 2013
207
9 Mexico
Earliest 16th-Century Monasteries on the Slopes of
Popocatepetl
These 14 monasteries stand on the slopes of Popocatepetl, to the south-east of Mexico City. They are in an
excellent state of conservation and are good examples of the architectural style adopted by the first missionaries
– Franciscans, Dominicans and Augustinians – who converted the indigenous populations to Christianity in the
early sixteenth century. They also represent an example of a new architectural concept, where open spaces
became more important. The influence of this style can be seen throughout the Mexican territory and even
beyond its borders.
Four organizations have carried out projects on the World Heritage property over the last decade:
Name of Organization Nataté Voluntariado Internacional A.C. carried out projects in the
Nataté Voluntariado following locations on the World Heritage property: Yecapixtla,
Internacional A.C. Ocuituco, Tlayacapan and Zacualpan de Amilpas.

Mexico ◆ Raising awareness among the local population, and especially
young people, about World Heritage issues such as the
Date deterioration of the sites and the negative impact tourism may
2010 2011 2012 have.
◆ Complementing local conservation efforts by the site managers,
the parish and local associations.
Activities
◆ Carrying out restoration activities.
◆ Organizing cleaning campaigns on the property.
◆ Developing a better local understanding of World Heritage issues
with guided tours and presentations at local community schools
and youth groups.
◆ Running environmental workshops.
◆ Interacting with the local community through cultural workshops.
© Voluntarios Internacionales Mexico A.C.
(VIMEX) ◆ Organizing dance presentations.
◆ Leading discussions.
◆ Sensitizing the Mexican population to the richness of its heritage
by means of the museum.
◆ Participating in local festivals.
208
Name of Organization Voluntarios Internacionales Mexico A.C. (VIMEX) carried out projects in the
following locations of the World Heritage property: Yecapixtla, Ocuituco,
Voluntarios
Tlayacapan, Atlatlahucan, Zacualpan de Amilpas, Tepoztlan and Tetela del
Internacionales
Mexico A.C. Volcan and Hueyapan.
(VIMEX)
Country ◆ Raising awareness about World Heritage issues such as the deterioration
Mexico of the properties and the negative impact tourism may have.
◆ Complementing local conservation efforts made by the site managers,
Date the parish and local associations.
2012 2013
Activities
◆ Renovating the property.
◆ Cleaning the property.
‘Constant communication ◆ Developing a better local understanding of World Heritage issues
with the volunteers is with guided tours and presentations at local community schools and
essential in order to improve
youth groups.
the quality of the projects.’
◆ Running cultural workshops.
◆ Organizing dance presentations.
◆ Leading discussions.
◆ Participating in local festivals.

Morelos ◆ Strengthening young people’s bond with the environment,
Government’s Youth community and history.
Institute ◆ Recovering public spaces and iconic symbols in order to integrate and
bring young people together in World Heritage sites.
Country
◆ Encouraging youth participation in the rescue, protection and
Mexico
promotion of cultural heritage.
Date ◆ Promoting the history of Morelos and its natural and cultural wealth.
2014
Activities
◆ Attending heritage workshops.
◆ Visiting and learning about the convent route.
◆ Carrying out maintenance activities.
◆ Restoring monasteries.
◆ Producing short films on the convent route.
◆ Hiking tour to Tepozteco.
◆ Learning about local community traditions, culture gastronomy,
handicrafts and art.
209
Nataté Voluntariado ◆ Developing strategies for working with schools and education
Internacional A.C. organizations.
◆ Raising awareness about the site and its value among the
Country schoolchildren.
Mexico
◆ Sensitizing international volunteers about the importance of
cultural heritage and valorising the tangible and intangible local
Date
heritage.
2010 2011 2012
Activities
◆ Cleaning the site and the atrium.
◆ Conducting maintenance work in various ex-convents and
learning about the buildings’ major historical dates.
◆ Making surveys for the site management authorities by
interviewing site tourists and some members of the community.
◆ Visiting schools and local organizations and presenting the
volunteers’ own country’s heritage for local students.
210
10 Mexico
Historic Centre of Morelia
description.
Vive Mexico
Country
Mexico
Date
2008 2010 2012 2013 2014 ‘We did all the grocery shopping in the village. We wanted to
contribute a bit to help support the shops, even the smallest ones,
by buying something from each one. We have been rewarded, as
all the shops we have involved in the Initiative have offered some
products as a gift.'
211
11 Mexico
Pre-Hispanic City and National Park of Palenque
Name of Organization A prime example of a Maya sanctuary of the classical period, Palenque
was at its height between 500 and 700 AD, when its influence extended
Nataté Voluntariado
throughout the basin of the Usumacinta River. The elegance and
Internacional A.C.
craftsmanship of the buildings, as well as the lightness of the sculpted
Country reliefs with their Maya mythological themes, attest to the creative
Mexico genius of this civilization.
2013 ◆ Preserving this cultural property, an incomparable

achievement of Maya art, and key to understanding the
Mayan philosophy.
◆ Developing sensitivity, raising awareness among the local
population and tourists regarding World Heritage and the
importance of their participation in preserving the property.
Activities
◆ Carrying out preservation and maintenance tasks.
◆ Attending conferences.
◆ Organizing intercultural workshops and activities strictly
related to World Heritage site management and sustainable
development.
◆ Leading information campaigns.
◆ Producing a video and a photographic diary to be published
online.
© Natate Voluntariado Internacional A.C.
212
© Voluntarios Internacionales Mexico A.C. (VIMEX)
12 Mexico
Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan
© Silvan Rehfeld
The Pre-Hispanic city of Teotihuacan and its valley bear unique testimony to the pre-urban structure of ancient
Mexico. The area was occupied between the first and seventh centuries AD and had at least 25,000 inhabitants
at the peak of its development. The property preserves the relationship between the architectural structures and
the environment, including its setting in the landscape. As one of the greatest cultural centres in Mesoamerica
featuring the ‘talud-tablero’ architecture, Teotihuacan and its model of urbanization and large-scale planning
extended its cultural and artistic influence throughout the region.

Departamento de Museos ◆ Raising awareness about the property and its values.
y Servicios Educativos de
Activities
la Zona de Monumentos
Arqueológicos de ◆ Organizing action games.
Teotihuacán Instituto ◆ Painting murals.
Nacional de Antropología ◆ Running workshops.
e Historia
◆ Running special tours of the property.
Country ◆ Participating in discussions and activities with local

Mexico communities on how to preserve the site.
Date
2015 2016 2017
214
13 Peru
Chan Chan Archaeological Zone
The Chimú Kingdom, with Chan Chan as its capital, reached its zenith in the fifteenth century, not long before
falling to the Incas. The planning of this huge city, the largest in pre-Columbian America, reflects the strict
political and social hierarchy, marked by the city’s division into nine autonomous ‘citadels’.
description.
Brigada de Voluntarios
Country
‘The projects and the volunteers are a very positive experience;
Peru
they provide an opportunity to learn about diversity. It hopefully
will inspire and motivate us to make future plans.’
Date
2010 2011 2012 2014 2015

Proyecto Especial ◆ Contributing to the promotion and conservation of the Chan
Complejo Arqueológico Chan property.
Chan Chan ◆ Building and strengthening the identity of young people,
children and stakeholders in the area.
Country
◆ Working on the maintenance of Chan Chan and promoting
Peru
the cultural significance of the archaeological monuments.
Date Activities
2013 ◆ Creating promotional materials about the history and
daily life of Chimú Kingdom for use in awareness-raising
workshops.
◆ Cleaning activities in archaeological areas as a part of the
awareness campaign.
◆ Training university students as sociocultural ambassadors.
© Brigada de Voluntarios Bolivarianos del Perú
215
14 Peru
The Historic Centre of Cajamarca
Cajamarca is the cultural meeting point between the Spanish and Andean worlds. Built of adobe and volcanic
stone, the Historic Centre of Cajamarca is an exquisite example of Spanish-Andean culture. The unique
architecture spans from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries, making Cajamarca exceptional in terms of
its cultural value.
In the fifteenth century, the city of Cajamarca became part of Tawantinsuyo (Inca Empire) when the Kingdom of
Cuismanco was conquered by the Inca Pachacutec.

Brigada de Voluntarios ◆ Raising awareness about the problems faced by the Historic
Bolivarianos del Perú Centre of Cajamarca, and seeking alternative solutions for
its preservation.
Country ◆ Placing the conservation of the historic centre higher on
Peru
Cajamarca’s civil agenda.
Date Activities
2009 ◆ Documenting the city’s heritage.
◆ Proposing alternative solutions for its preservation and
conservation.
216
15 Peru
Historic Centre of Lima
Lima, the City of Kings, founded in 1535, was the capital city and the largest of the Spanish dominions in South
America until the mid-eighteenth century. The Historic Centre of Lima represents the architectural prototype
and urban design of a Spanish colonial city of great political, economic and cultural importance. The historical
monuments, religious and political buildings date from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and are
typical examples of the Hispanic Baroque.

Brigada de Voluntarios ◆ Running educational activities and raising awareness about
Bolivarianos del Perú the problems facing the Historic Centre of Lima.
◆ Involving the local population in preservation and heritage
Country efforts.
Peru
Activities
Date ◆ Sensitizing school children in Lima’s Historic Centre about
2014 caring for and conserving heritage.
◆ Attending workshops and training sessions.
◆ Running awareness-raising campaigns for tourists on the
‘What is great is that the children can
learn lots from the volunteers, about
importance of heritage.
them as people and also about their ◆ Carrying out on-site maintenance activities.
countries and heritage: everyone can
share information.’
217
16 Peru
Huascarán National Park
Situated in the Cordillera Blanca, the world’s highest tropical mountain range, Mount Huascarán rises to 6,768 m
above sea level. The deep ravines watered by numerous torrents, the glacial lakes and the variety of the vegetation
make it a site of spectacular beauty. It is the home of such species as the spectacled bear and the Andean condor.

Brigada de Voluntarios ◆ Contributing to maintenance and conservation efforts
Bolivarianos del Perú through the active participation of local and international
volunteers.
Country ◆ Developing education on sustainable development and
Peru
raising awareness in the local community.
Date Activities
2011 ◆ Running media campaigns.
◆ Attending sustainable development workshops.
◆ Holding discussions with environmental protection experts.
218
17 Peru
Sacred City of Caral-Supe
Name of Organization The 5,000-year-old archaeological site of the Sacred City of Caral-
Supe covers 626 ha and is situated on a dry desert terrace overlooking
Brigada de Voluntarios
the green valley of the Supe River. It dates back to the Late Archaic
Period of the Central Andes and is the oldest centre of civilization in
Country the Americas. Exceptionally well-preserved, the site is impressive in
Peru terms of its design and the complexity of its architecture, especially its
monumental stone and earthen platform mounts and sunken circular
Date courts.
2012
◆ Raising awareness through actions and campaigns on the
care and conservation of Caral Sacred City.
◆ Promoting a programme of heritage conservation, restoration
and preservation activities with the participation of young
national and international volunteers.
Activities
◆ Working with local communities to conserve and protect the
historic heritage.
◆ Restoring and maintaining the property.
◆ Organizing educational activities defending and protecting
heritage.
219
18 Saint Lucia
Pitons Management Area
Name of Organization The 2,909-ha site near the town of Soufriere includes the Pitons, two
volcanic spires (770 m and 743 m high) rising side by side from the
Perfect Union
sea, linked by the Piton Mitan ridge. The volcanic complex includes
Country a geothermal field with sulphurous fumeroles and hot springs.
Saint Lucia Coral reefs cover almost 60% of the site’s marine area. The dominant
terrestrial vegetation is tropical moist forest grading to subtropical wet
Date forest, with small areas of dry forest and wet elfin woodland on the
2016 summits.

◆ Creating a collaborative tool to help protect the property’s
biodiversity against threats such as cyclones, droughts and
global warming.
◆ Developing sustainable management guidance, promoting
visits and protecting the property.
Activities
◆ Working with experts to create a site map, highlighting the
areas at risk due to climate change.
◆ Helping develop the IT management tool that focuses on
climate and preserving the site’s biodiversity.
◆ Producing a documentary about the project’s activities.
◆ Conducting awareness-raising events to promote the site
and encouraging people to preserve the natural reserve and
its biodiversity.
220
19 Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas
© Victor Aldana
Built to the design of architect Carlos Raúl Villanueva, between 1940 and 1960, the Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas
is an outstanding architectural example of the Modern Movement. The campus is made up of a large number of
buildings that are included in this ensemble alongside modern architectural pieces and the visual arts.

Asociación de Scouts de ◆ Enhancing the buildings and monuments and raising
Venezuela awareness about peace on the campus.
◆ Strengthening locals’ awareness about the importance of
Country the recovery and preservation of their heritage.
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
Activities
Date ◆ Organizing educational activities and discussions on the
2014 property.
◆ Running peace and conservation awareness-raising
activities.
◆ Carrying out workshops and briefings on the preservation of
this site.
221
Impact of the World Heritage
Volunteers Initiative
Stories of change, a history of change: Using research to address the multiple
dimensions and outcomes of volunteering for heritage
While the partnership between UNESCO and this publication, were based on two key concepts.
International Voluntary Service organizations The first is the idea of change within the field of
pre-dates the establishment of the World International Voluntary Service, as developed
Heritage Convention and attests to the common by the partners of the ‘Changing Perspectives’
goals and efforts to build a culture of peace since project, coordinated by WHV partner Solidarités
1946, such a fundamental synergy often seems Jeunesses in France:
to appeal more to ethics and emotions than
‘Impact as change: A change or an effect on
to reason. Many are convinced that we need
individuals, collectives or environments in the
to share the responsibility of protecting our
short, medium and long term. Produced by
cultural and natural heritage in order to build a
interaction between individuals, communities
sustainable and fair global society. Few would
and environments in the context of International
doubt the importance of volunteerism in creating
Voluntary Service actions. Perceivable, and as
empathy between individuals and communities
such could lead to social recognition or personal
around collective actions, spanning regions and
acknowledgment.’ 31
countries to serve the interests of a wider public.
The second concept is the idea of impact as

But rare is the opportunity to persuade those
assessment, which looks at the relation between
who are not directly involved in World Heritage
the goals and objectives of an initiative like the
volunteering about its value, and of the positive
WHV and the actual results achieved, as defined
outcomes produced by WHV projects − the
by Rossi, Lipsey and Freeman (2003):24
transformational change brought about by
activities with clear objectives, carefully ‘Impact assessments are undertaken to find out
structured activities with quantifiable results whether programs actually produce the intended
that are reproduced every year across the world, effects. […] A program effect, or impact, refers to a
adapting to the uniqueness of cultures and change in the target population or social conditions
societies, beyond territories and boundaries. that has been brought about by the program, that
is, a change that would not have occurred had the
Over the ten years of the WHV Initiative, several of
program been absent, […] establishing that the
its leading partners have begun to respond to the
program is a cause of some specified effect.’
need to acknowledge, support and promote the
work and practices of the stakeholders involved
in such programmes through specific, targeted 3 Coordinated by Solidarités Jeunesses (France) with the
financial support of the Youth in Action and Erasmus+
research on the impact of international voluntary
Programme of the European Commission.
service. These research initiatives, which have
4 Rossi, P. H., Lipsey, M. W. and Freeman, H. E. 2003. Evaluation:
contributed key data and analysis included in A Systematic Approach. New York, Sage Publications, p. 236.
222
I m p a ct of t h e World Heri ta ge Vol u nteers I nitiative
The volunteer experience:15

Skills and life competences
The research focused primarily on the experience As reported throughout this publication, the
of the volunteers themselves. It looked at the most important areas of volunteers' learning
changes in different constructs, assessing the included statistically significant increases in
personal, interpersonal and social dimensions of autonomy, communication skills, problem-
their learning; the volunteers’ competences and solving, cultural openness and feelings of social
skills; their knowledge and their attitudes, in integration. Returned volunteers also reported
particular towards other cultures and in regard significantly lower for conflict avoidance, and
to heritage; and their life perspectives and increased confidence in facing and managing
opportunities. The tailored design and timing conflicts, taking an active role in discussion and
of the surveys means that changes that were debates, and cooperating as a member of a
statistically significant during the analysis can group in order to achieve common objectives.
be directly linked to the impact of participation
in the projects, with common outcomes
recurring across social, cultural, economic and
geographical differences.
Returned volunteers reported significant increases in conflict management skills. They used the word cooperation
to describe the project experience of managing group conflict in constructive ways: higher confidence in group
dynamics and lower levels of conflict avoidance testify to a common willingness and capacity to accept and
transform potential conflicts into growth opportunities. See Best Practices - p.78.
5 The quantitative data supporting the analysis in this publication are the result of the work and cooperation between
different national, regional and international voluntary service organizations that are among the leading partners of the WHV
Initiative. In particular, they draw from the experience of three research projects and the surveys they developed together with
leading academic institutions:
P.A.T.H.: Partnerships, Actions and Tools for Heritage (2017)

Coordinated by the Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS), with the scientific support of
the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA, and the financial contribution of the Youth in Action and Erasmus+
Programme of the European Commission.
Changing Perspectives II (2015)

Coordinated by Solidarités Jeunesses (France) with the scientific support of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,
USA, and the financial contribution of the Youth in Action and Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission.
Development for Peace: International Workcamps for Global Education and Development (2014)
Coordinated by Better World (Korea) with the scientific support of Myongji University, Korea and the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign, USA.
223
Heritage knowledge
Even more impressive results were achieved and ideas, and possessed more technical and
in terms of improved knowledge, skills and manual skills that would allow them to directly
attitudes towards cultural and natural heritage. engage in protecting and preserving cultural
Returned volunteers reported significant and natural heritage and diversity. Finally, they
increases in their feeling of possessing a good showed higher awareness of the consequences
knowledge of the cultures and heritage of of their daily actions on the environment,
the hosting countries and local communities cultures and societies they interact with, with
where their projects took place, and having a more respectful attitudes toward people who
higher consideration for local and indigenous hold different values, heritage and identity than
knowledge as key allies in heritage conservation. their own, and a stronger commitment to take
They felt that they gained additional knowledge action.
Returned volunteers reported significant increases in their understanding of local knowledge as a key element
that can contribute to the sustainability of environmental and cultural sites. See Best Practices - p.102.
Dynamic communities and partnerships: Building on local knowledge
In addition to the compelling evidence provided of the programme through the very words of
by the quantitative data, several in-depth, those who took part in it.
16
targeted interviews and focus groups were
The quotes from these interviews and focus
undertaken with key actors in the organizations
groups, which also accompany the project
and communities touched by the WHV
descriptions in this publication, highlight
Initiative, representatives of public institutions,
important qualitative elements and practices,
civil society, local and international volunteers
as well as differences in social, cultural and
and camp leaders. Including a wide diversity of
institutional frameworks that meant that all
roles and relationships gave a broad-ranging
stakeholders had to adapt and contribute
insight into the unique experiences that make
according to their rich, often complex
the WHV Initiative relevant across countries and
environment, ultimately growing together
communities, helping to describe the impact
along with the WHV Initiative. The quotes are
used anonymously to illustrate the universal
6 The interviews contained in the publication, expressed value of the WHV Initiative which, like the
in the form of anonymous quotes, are the outcomes of in-
depth interviews and focus groups run in 2018 with key
concept of World Heritage itself, unites
stakeholders of the WHV Initiative in all regions, covering over volunteers, communities and organizations
30 projects run in 12 different countries from 2008: Ecuador,
France, Islamic Republic of Iran, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco,
across the world.
Nigeria, Palestine, Republic of Korea, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
224
‘The presence of local and national volunteers is something that really changed the way people talked about
heritage in the project, because it’s their heritage. They own it and they want to transmit it, to talk about it to the
other volunteers and the tourists.’ See Best Practices - p.76.
The six objectives of the WHV Initiative were the local projects by their inclusion in a global
at the centre of these discussions, which campaign coordinated by UNESCO. They also
highlighted the key role of traditional and local stressed how the interaction between the
knowledge and intangible heritage as vehicles of international youth volunteers and the local
awareness, promoting culturally adapted paths communities created dynamic exchanges
towards sustainable community engagement that helped valorize local skills, providing all
for the protection of World Heritage. actors with new enriching perspectives and
Stakeholders pointed out the importance of the building a stronger sense of pride, ownership
progressive involvement of national authorities, and stewardship for the local heritage. This
often triggered by the acknowledgement of then translated directly into active participation
the successful partnerships built by civil society and engagement by the local population in the
organizations during the first years of the WHV project activities.
Initiative, as much as by the visibility given to
The surveys, answered by over 2,000 volunteers working on 356 projects, were designed as a pre- and post-test, in
order to examine differences before and after their participation in an international voluntary service project. The
questionnaires were sent out within three weeks of the start (pre-test) and three weeks after the end (post-test) of
the respective projects. The individual survey items were identical in the pre-test and the post-test, and participants
were asked to answer Likert-item values to describe their opinion concerning each specific statement (for example,
Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Neither Agree nor Disagree, Agree, Strongly Agree).
The core categories of the survey were developed in participation with the numerous partners involved in the
projects, and were tested for validity by the academic institutions engaged in this cooperation. They also included
additional standard measures widely used in research and relevant to the specific focus of the Initiative.
225
A threefold approach to impact: Understanding, improving, valorizing
By looking at volunteer programmes and participants with the support of strategic quantitative and
qualitative research, we started building towards the recognition of World Heritage and International
Voluntary Service as complementary tools for non-formal education, where learning comes not
only from strong moral engagement and deep emotional commitment, but also from structured,
targeted activities that can produce transformational change for the individuals, communities and
organizations involved. If the WHV Initiative started in 2008 with the passion and intensity of a ‘love
story’ between the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and CCIVS, ten years on it has become a ‘stable
marriage’, demonstrating long-lasting and positive results for all the stakeholders involved, and with
the larger family of volunteers, communities, organizations and institutions contributing to the success
of the campaign.
In addition to the campaign’s existing Several important variables have already been
research objectives, progression towards identified as producing a significant, positive impact
a systematic assessment of common on the quality of the WHV actions and results,
practices and outcomes in the WHV Initiative reflected in the outcomes of both the quantitative
will be supported by the integration of three and qualitative data:
specific research goals:
◆ Achieve a better understanding of WHV ◆ The orientation and training of volunteers and
practices and participant experiences, how communities before project implementation, as well
they influence each other, creating new as targeted debriefing activities afterwards, appear
knowledge, skills and attitudes towards essential for the appropriation and sustainability of the
themselves and society, and the importance outcomes of the programme.
of heritage in the life of individuals and local ◆ The participation of the WHV partner organizations
and international communities. in regional and global volunteer networks guarantees
◆ Improving the capacity of the organizations, a deeper participant understanding of the exchange
communities and individual volunteers dynamics, of the goals of the Initiative and, ultimately,
involved in WHV projects to make positive of the significance of the projects and work carried
use of these accrued competences and out with the communities in the interest of World
skills, ameliorate their practices and become Heritage preservation.
conscious agents for change.
◆ Valorizing the unique processes and results
that stakeholders create together, thanks
to the invaluable interactions between
heritage and international voluntary
service, enhancing their visibility across the
institutional and public spheres.
226
Finally, while improving the well-being of build new connections among individuals and
individuals and communities is not an explicit communities using the educational value of
objective of the WHV Initiative, the data gathered World Heritage and volunteer work to create an
from local and international project volunteers interdependent network of engaged citizens.
show a very significant, positive change in all the We are therefore confident that the Initiative
standard indicators used to measure their life will continue to provide a fertile testing ground
satisfaction. Academic research across different for this ambitious hypothesis: that by working
countries has consistently correlated subjective across countries and societies in the common
and collective well-being with i) a solid and interest of preserving the Outstanding Universal
interdependent network of relationships, and Value of our cultural and natural heritage, we
ii) meaningful work and occupations. These two can actually be happier, together.
factors form the very core of WHV actions, which
Measuring impact: Behind the 'hard' data

In order to test the convergent and discriminant validity of the constructs, survey items were factored together.
A Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was completed to determine appropriate indicators for the disparate
concepts originally proposed. For all the categories presented, all items loading on the various components were
greater than .40 — indicating good convergent validity, i.e. variables within a single component are sufficiently
correlated to indicate a distinct and common construct. After underlying constructs were identified, the internal
consistency of the constructs was tested using Cronbach’s alpha statistics. An internal reliability coefficient of α =
.70 or higher was set as the minimal threshold for composite variables. These variables were then used as a single
composite variable in the regression analysis when describing an ‘outcome’: all the composites introduced here
met or exceeded this minimum reliability coefficient.
Each category under the areas of impact on the level of the volunteers (e.g. Autonomy, Communication, Problem-
Solving, Conflict Management, Social Integration, Cultural Openness, Heritage Awareness and Contribution) is
composed of at least three indicators. These are individual survey items (statements from the questionnaires)
that went through statistical analysis to confirm their reliability and distinct contributions to a uni-dimensional
construct. Adding together the scores of individual items makes it more likely that multiple correlated indicators
measure a similar outcome, such as ‘cultural openness’.
Correlations, chi-square and t-tests were run, as appropriate to the level of each construct, to examine differences
before and after volunteers participated in the projects and to determine whether such differences were statistically
significant and not due to error or chance. The threshold for all analyses was set at 95% confidence, a standard
commonly used in social sciences: all outcomes reported here satisfied this criterion and can be considered
reliable differences. Multivariate regression analyses were also performed in order to better understand how the
volunteers’ demographics and different practices (e.g. individual and programme variable such as prior volunteer
experiences, pre-departure orientation, etc.) were related to outcomes.
227
A decade of successful campaigns
for the WHV Initiative
The first ten years of the WHV Initiative have Volunteers benefit in numerous ways from
revealed that these volunteering projects create the WHV Initiative by further developing social
greater awareness and communication about values and a stronger identity, and gaining the
World Heritage, and the need to preserve, kind of experience and skills not normally found
protect and promote cultural and natural in formal education or vocational training.
heritage. WHV projects have shown that they Allowing volunteers to integrate socially in
provide different levels of training and capacity community projects that help improve local
building to youth in the field of heritage, people’s standard of living in one way or another
planning, assessment and evaluation. The 341 empowers them to become more active and
WHV projects, carried out over the last 10 years engaged citizens, both on a national and
in 60 countries, with 110 local organizations and international level. It also inspires them to be
NGOs, at 138 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and proactive at different levels on the international
sites on the Tentative List, with the participation development agenda. The community, in
of over 5,000 volunteers, have proved turn, appreciates the volunteers’ aim as one
overwhelmingly that the projects and their that inspires and compliments their efforts in
achievements are key to building sustainable bringing about positive change. Having the
partnerships and networking between chance to volunteer provides opportunities
volunteers, individuals, partners, government for personal development, social skills and
institutions and organizations, and that thanks collective abilities. Stakeholders, for their part,
to these partnerships, they are also sometimes benefit by contributing to social inclusion,
able to secure funding for future projects. intercultural dialogue, peace and solidarity,
pooling local resources and initiating new
projects, bringing dynamism to community
interaction, creating a unity of purpose, active
citizenship and involvement, new interests,
experiences and hobbies.
228
The importance of volunteering
on heritage sites
7
1
Heritage in its many forms is not just a Volunteers take heritage from the past to the
representation of the past, but a connection or present through different levels of re-appropriation,
reconnection with a past that is active and alive ownership and stewardship: to renovate and
in the present. Heritage shapes and reshapes protect, to make known a territory, to revive and to
people’s sense of place, sense of belonging and stimulate cultural practices that were thought to
cultural identities locally and nationally. It is what be lost, to transmit an activity or a passion. For the
brings people closer together. The impact of volunteers, taking part in an action camp allows
actions by groups of volunteers directly reaches them to learn new skills and to live an intercultural
and touches members of the community. experience. Besides discovering new heritage
Volunteering on heritage sites allows local and cultures, volunteers are disseminators: they
communities to have a better understanding of exchange information about their own heritage
their heritage, revealing or identifying heritage and truly become ‘makers’ and ambassadors.
values in order to grasp their multiple uses
Volunteering is the key for engaging
and to finally find a new value. It also draws
communities and increasing participation
attention to the needs, desires and rights of the
within a heritage management system. This can
local communities and stakeholders who are
be achieved by implementing quality volunteer
most concerned by the sites.
projects that are community-based.
7 This text was drafted by UNESCO based on an article written by CCIVS and Rita Abruluque, an independent researcher for
CCIVS, published in Volunteering and Heritage Management (CCIVS, 2018).
229
Awareness raising and communication
Feedback from volunteers, organizations and stakeholders has shown the importance of awareness
raising and communication as crucial in engaging the community, partners and individuals in
projects. Identifying areas for strategic communication and defining SMART communication
objectives (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound), makes it easier to plan
and implement project activities, and the monitoring and evaluation process. Having clear
communication objectives will increase an organization’s understanding of the community
concerned and also improve the community’s general knowledge about the organization’s mission.
Having clear communication and awareness raising also contributes to the development of a
strategic approach to the preservation and valorization of local heritage.
Tips on engaging local communities - Improving communication with local inhabitants

before, during and after projects
◆ Carry out community needs assessment using participatory methods.

◆ Identify areas for strategic communication and define communication objectives.
◆ Community involvement in the preparation, organization and promotion of the project:
involve the local community in the project implementation, organize an ‘open day’
on the work site open to the press, local authorities and local community; organize
free time for excursions, study visits or leisure time between volunteers and the local
community.
◆ Arrange a meeting between camp leaders, site managers, local partners, stakeholders
and the local community.
◆ Promote the project at the local, national and international level and recruit participants.
Use promotional material provided by the WHV Initiative and its coordinators, but also
create customized material to promote the project.
◆ Prepare promotional documents for the media. Write press releases in advance and
create a press release schedule.
◆ Build awareness through local involvement and foster long-term relationships with
the local community. Organize open days, informative events, implement long-term
volunteer projects, etc.
◆ Create appropriate communication instruments to raise awareness about projects and
other activities.
◆ Elaborate impact measurement research and use data.
230
T h e i m p orta n ce of vol u nteeri n g on h eri ta ge site s
Training and capacity building
Establishing the long-term capacity-building goals of voluntary organizations and participants in

volunteer projects is an important step towards achieving quality standards in the implementation
of heritage projects. Training sessions help to define the practical approach, methodology and tools
that better correspond to the shared vision and the different sociocultural contexts of the projects
concerned.
Tips on long-term capacity-building training
◆ Establish long-term capacity-building goals.

◆ Develop training curricula for organizations and camp leaders, but also partners involved
in implementing volunteer projects in the fields of cultural heritage and diversity.
◆ Modules and topics should cover: the educational project, the description of the role
and responsibilities of the camp leader, the practical skills of project management,
the leadership methods, the focus of theoretical sessions on heritage concepts and
contemporary challenges, the ontological politics of heritage, techniques and history,
colonial heritage, heritage in conflict and post-conflict areas, theoretical sessions
on heritage management networks and institutional cooperation, hands-on work,
workshops and local heritage study visits.
◆ Diversify topics and modules that focus on intangible heritage and other subtopics,
such as contested heritage and emerging issues, gender and heritage.
◆ Continuously develop tools to help knowledge transfer.
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Planning
Project planning is key to ensuring the quality and success of a project, helping to clarify goals
and develop a vision. Besides being greatly appreciated by financial stakeholders, planning gives
coherence to a project. Community involvement is central to both the strategic planning and project
planning, and should be used not only to create and implement ideas, but also to improve existing
projects.
Tips on planning a community-based project on cultural heritage
◆ Carry out research work. Compile information and documents on the heritage site,
establish the needs of the community, site managers, etc.
◆ Arrange a meeting between camp leaders and site managers, local partners and
stakeholders.
◆ Organize a feasibility visit. When considering organizing a volunteer project, visit
locations and check the conditions, accessibility, safety, facilities and accommodation.
◆ Make a provisional budget, using information you have from your research on costs of
supplies, materials, staff and allocation of costs.
◆ Define the activities: set goals, objectives and a working plan, indicating times and the
volunteers responsible. Define the tasks for the volunteers with the site managers and
other partners.
◆ Apply for necessary permits or authorizations. Compile the documents needed and
contact authorities to check what kinds of permits are necessary to work in the heritage
site.
◆ Recruit camp leaders according to the project, ensure that they have the relevant
training, and create pairs to lead the camps.
◆ Recruit volunteers. Set up a project description, exchange it with your partner
organizations and answer application requests.
◆ Ensure volunteers’ safety and travel preparation. Check visa requirements for
participants and ensure volunteers’ and organizations’ insurance.
◆ Organize a meeting between camp leaders and site managers, local partners and
stakeholders.
232
Assessment and evaluation
An evaluation plan is the next key element for the successful implementation of a project. Active
participation and feedback are essential to the process of assessment and evaluation. Evaluation
should be done at different levels: internally and with participants, partners and stakeholders, and
local communities. Besides the potential multipliers in further developing activities, the evaluation
should tackle changes in knowledge and skills, cultural self-awareness and social change. The
purpose of the evaluation is to improve the project, to share results with stakeholders and partners,
to contribute to a comprehensive discussion and to foster comprehension and communication.
Tips on assessment and evaluation
◆ Conduct a baseline study from the results of the impact measurement questionnaires
to provide background information to monitor and assess the project progress.
◆ Use standardized instruments to assess projects.
◆ Carry out monitoring and evaluation during the project. Hold a mid-term and final
evaluation and build in reflection time with volunteers.
◆ Follow-up and monitor project process involving camp leaders, site managers, the local
community, stakeholders and project donors.
◆ Welcome and receive feedback from volunteers, camp leaders and the local community
(quantitative and qualitative data).
◆ Organize a final evaluation meeting with camp leaders, local partners and stakeholders.
◆ Issue activity reports and send them to members of the local community, authorities,
donors and local/national media.
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Sustainable partnerships, networking and funding
Building strategic and sustainable partnerships is essential for voluntary organizations. A partnership
is strategic when it provides the means and methods for advancing one’s mission. The reasons for
diversifying partnerships are: to ensure more effective and efficient projects or programmes; to
innovate and diversify sources of funding; to pool resources; to build or consolidate networks; and
to create long-term and permanent social change. When interacting with each other in new ways,
we have different levels of shared resources and responsibilities. Partnerships can range from the
informal to the very formal, from the private and public sector, including educational institutions,
governmental bodies, private institutions, civil society and the corporate sector. Sometimes
relationships with specific partners evolve into active relationships of exchange and support.
Partnership work can include cooperation, collaboration, coordination, multisector collaboration or
networking.
Key steps to implementing a partnership
◆ Identify and engage stakeholders.

◆ Create relationships and begin to build trust.
◆ Explain the scope and objectives of each partner.
◆ Implement a partnership that is mutually beneficial with a shared purpose.
◆ Establish roles, methods, ground rules and a decision-making structure.
234
The first step in achieving a strategic partnership is to know your own organization’s strengths and
weaknesses. Assessing your organization is crucial, as it will determine the sort of partnership that will
be the most valuable and beneficial. An organization should position itself externally, highlighting
its strengths. The organizations who participate in the WHV Initiative have extensive strengths and
have a global network that constitute valuable assets. When choosing new partners to work with, it
is important not to forget your organization’s values and make sure they are aligned. New partners
need information to be able to move forward, so being informative and sensitive is essential.
Building new partnerships - Tips for organizations’ external visibility
◆ Positioning.
◆ Think outside the box.
◆ Active listening.
◆ Challenge ourselves and implement projects in new places.
◆ Think strategically.
◆ Be professional and accountable.
◆ Highlight belonging to a global network.
◆ Be informative.
◆ Be sensitive and value-oriented.
◆ Actively share information among the members of the network.
◆ Be competitive.
◆ Give recognition.
◆ Measure and use impact results.
◆ Think sustainably.
235
The way forward
After the first decade of the World Heritage monthly activities and targeted summer camps,
Volunteer Initiative's successful implementation otherwise known as WHV summer universities.
of action camps around the world, the Initiative This would enable the youth academy and the
should concentrate on strengthening its summer universities to reach out to hundreds of
foundation and expanding, and must look for students by working with different schools and
ways to respond to shortcomings. schools not located near World Heritage sites,
as long as some activities take place regularly
It should focus on expanding the outreach
at a World Heritage site. It would also permit
of the WHV projects to involve more people,
activities to be organized at weekends and over
from volunteers, to organizations, to local
short school holidays, or as a field trip, on the
and national governmental institutions, and
condition that the activities carried out have
partners. At the Initiative’s core are people, and
a cumulative duration of 10 days. The project
the power, commitment and drive they have
could also cover different World Heritage sites
to implement action camps. Increasing these
around a country and as a result raise more
networks of stakeholders is key, as is involving
interest and visibility.
more youth.
One way of doing this would be by associating Working with schools in this manner provides
with schools and introduce volunteering and a unique opportunity to expand such local
heritage conservation by means of non-formal initiatives at the national and regional level,
education, thus following the lead of the Asia covering the wide diversity of heritage a country
Coordination (Better World). Similarly, another can offer. Organizations are in a privileged
way of doing this would be to create specialized place to work with schools as they can offer
youth academies and summer universities them their expertise to develop and integrate
that partner schools and communities in order education on global issues into the students’
to empower youth projects in the protection curriculum and experiences. A curriculum
and promotion of World Heritage. Until now, could be developed together with teachers
primary and secondary school students have and experts, presenting a mix of formal and
mainly been the beneficiaries of WHV projects. non-formal learning, with individual and group
However, youth academies could involve projects (for example, World Heritage drawing,
them differently and make them actors of essays, stories) and one weekend hands-on
World Heritage protection by running mixed activity at a World Heritage site every month,
educational and experiential programmes on a rotational basis (a different school and/or
tailored to their needs and aimed at enhancing a different World Heritage site every week). The
their awareness, knowledge and skills through presence of national and international leaders
236
T h e w ay fo rward
would help introduce World Heritage from all leaders provides the opportunity to exchange
over a country, as well as from all over the world, and capitalize on knowledge and experience.
bridging sites and ideas, and giving the projects Facilitating visits to other camps, conducting
a global dimension. Students who successfully monitoring visits to enhance the recognition of
graduate from academies could receive ‘extra the organizations in the field and advocating
credits’ and the best group projects be invited for the re-introduction of financial contributions
to the Summer University at a World Heritage from the global and/or regional coordination,
site. in the form of seed funding is a small but
essential element allowing partners to focus on
In addition, volunteers have spoken about the
the programme content, and supporting their
desire to include other heritage elements that
investments to develop exchanges of people
are characteristic of local realities where WHV
and knowledge.
projects take place, such as cultural practices and
traditions that are important to communities On a practical level of project implementation,
and the World Heritage site. Greater emphasis developments initiated with the adoption of
should be placed on these aspects that are two-year cycles must be pursued, with the
also considered cultural heritage. By including possibility of moving into three-year cycles. This
more of these elements, this local learning will would help the Initiative’s sustainability while
empower volunteers by giving them a greater also reducing administrative burdens.
sense of involvement in conserving heritage of
WHV projects have shown throughout the years
World Heritage sites and will allow them to feel
that they are fundamental in creating successful
a deeper connection to the communities and an
partnerships and collaborations between local
understanding of their realities. Furthermore,
organizations and other local and national
branching out and including different forms of
governmental institutions, organizations and the
heritage could further achieve the Initiative’s
private sector. Consolidating, maintaining and
gender goals as it may involve more local
furthering these relationships and partnerships
women.
is vital for the development and enhancement
There should be more attention to and of future volunteering, in terms of the scope and
investment in strengthening the capacity impact of a project, the skills volunteers learn
of the actors involved in the Initiative, f rom and community engagement. Greater focus
camp leaders, to partners, to volunteers. should be placed on the future development
Capacity-building workshops should be held of these relationships and partnerships upon
on a global, regional and local level, ensuring project completion. Once these special and
that all needs are met. Meeting with other camp strategic relationships have been formed,
237
organizations can successfully raise funds also provide crucial opportunities for
for future projects from their new partners organizations to share practices around
and stakeholders. This is an area that should common challenges, and for new partners
be bolstered; by involving a greater variety to discover the Initiative and become
of stakeholders in the WHV projects, local involved and empowered through training
organizations are not only attracting new and local partnerships.
local, national and international volunteers,
but also securing the commitment of more
institutions and organizations to their
projects, pooling resources and securing
new funding opportunities. While it is
true that the WHV Initiative relies heavily
on volunteering and that volunteering
in its truest form is free, the issue of
funding must not be overlooked. There are
many costs to volunteering projects, and
organizations who are able to raise funds
for the most basic materials, for example,
or to pay certain things for volunteers, for
example, lunches, travel arrangements or
training, benefit greatly.
On a local level, organizations have found

that once new partners involved in the
projects see the quality and the positive
results and impact of the heritage
community-based projects, they are more
forthcoming in contributing towards
funding for future projects. This, in turn,
draws greater attention to the project and
attracts more international volunteers. The
regional and subregional workshops and
events, which have developed alongside
the WHV Initiative since the very beginning,
238
Annex 1
National stakeholders and partners

The WHV projects are run through a series of partnerships with local, national and regional
organizations and institutions.
Here is a list of all projects, organizations and their partners:
Af rica
Botswana
This NGO, based in Botswana, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage properties of
Tsodilo in 2013 and Okavango Delta in 2015.
This organization works with: the Department of National Monuments, the Museums and Art Gallery,
the Lesotho Work Camps Association, the Tsodilo community, the Department of Wildlife and
National Parks (DWNP), Department of Forestry, Okavango Trust, Village Development Committee,
and Elephants without Borders.
Cabo Verde
Cape Verde Youth Federation (FCJ)
This NGO, based in Cabo Verde, carried out one project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of
Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande in 2013.
This organization works with: the Municipality of Ribeira Grande de Santiago, the Cultural Heritage
and Research Institute (IIPC), the National Commission for UNESCO of Cape Verde, the Ribeira
Grande Youth League, the Bons Amigos of Cidade Velha Association, the School-Workshop of Cidade
Velha, and the Delegation of the Ministry of Education.
Côte d'Ivoire
Actions pour la Mobilisation des Initiatives et Stratégies d'Aide au Développement - AMISTAD
This NGO, based in Côte d’Ivoire, carried out one project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of
the Historic Town of Grand-Bassam in 2015, in cooperation with the Municipality of Grand Bassam.
ASBL Kouady
the Taï National Park in 2016.
This organization works with: the Ministry for Environment and Sustainability, Baby-Lab, Union de
jeunes pour le développement de l’Ouest, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Park managers.
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A nn ex 1 : N a t i on a l s ta keh old ers a n d partn e rs
Jeunes Volontaires pour l’Environnement Côte d’Ivoire

the Comoé National Park in 2016.
This organization works with: the Ministry of Water and Forests and the Ministry for the Environment
and Sustainable Development.
Kenya
Kenya Voluntary Development Association
This NGO, based in Kenya, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage property of the Sacred
Mijikenda Kaya Forests from 2010 to 2014.
This organization works with: the Shimba Hills Forest Guides Association, Sacred Mijikenda Kaya
Kinondo, Ganja la Simba Primary School and other local schools, the Ministry of Heritage, Forestry
and Wildlife, the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, Coordinating Committee for International
Voluntary Service (CCVIS), IWO/Better World Korea, grassroots community-based organizations, and
the Kaya Kinondo Eco-Tourism Center.

This NGO, based in Kenya, carried out projects on the following sites on the Tentative List: the African
Great Rift Valley − The Maasai Mara (from 2011 to 2017), and the World Heritage site of Fort Jesus,
Mombasa (in 2012 and 2013).
This organization works with: the Mara Lion and Wildlife Conservation, Friends of Conservation, Mara
Youth Community Centre, Maasai Mara Game Reserve authorities, Narok County Council, Kenya
Wildlife Service, Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, UNESCO Youth Forum Kenya, UNESCO
Eastern Africa Regional Office, Maasai Buffalo Dancers, Talek police station, Maasai Discovery, the
Ministry of Tourism and Information, the Kenya Forest Department, the County Council of Mombasa,
and Marine Park.
Madagascar
Malagasy Youth for Sustainable Development (MY4SD)
This NGO, based in Madagascar, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage property of the
Rainforests of the Atsinanana from 2013 to 2016.
This organization works with: the UNESCO Office in Madagascar, Malagasy National Commission for
UNESCO, Madagascar National Parks, Manager of Marojejy National Park, Diorano-WASH, the Mayor
of Andapa, the Ministry of Communication, the Regional Direction of the Environment, Ecology,
Sea and Forests, the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, Alaotra Mangoro Region, the United States
Embassy, Valbio Ranomafana, Wash Project, and the Municipality of Ranomafana.
241
Malawi
Active Youth Initiative for Social Enhancement (AYISE)
This NGO, based in Malawi, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage property of Lake
Malawi National Park from 2010 to 2012.
This organization works with: the Ministry of Tourism, the Department of Wildlife and Culture, the National
Youth Council of Malawi, the Ministry of Youth Development, Lafarge Cement Limited, Dulux Paint
Limited, the UNESCO National Commission of Malawi, and the Lake Malawi National Park management.
Mali
Fédération Malienne des Clubs, Centres et Associations UNESCO
This NGO, based in Mali, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage project of Old Towns
of Djenné in 2017, in cooperation with the ministerial departments of Mali, and the United Nations.
Nigeria
Voluntary Workcamps Association of Nigeria (VWAN)
This NGO, based in Nigeria, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage site of Oke Idanre
(Idanre Hill) from 2011 to 2015, and in 2017.
This organization works with: Idanre Youth Initiative on Community and Heritage Development, the
National and Cultural Heritage Foundation (N&CHF) of Ondo and Idanre, National Commission for
Museums and Monuments, the Ministry for Tourism and Culture, the Kingdom of Idanre’s Council of
Chiefs, the State Chapter of National Youth Council, VWAN Branch Chapter in Ondo State, State Red
Cross, and the UNESCO National Commission of Nigeria.
Grassroots Lifesaving Outreach

This NGO, based in Nigeria, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of Sukur
Cultural Landscape in 2017, in cooperation with the Sukur Youth Development Association, CHEDA,
and Marghi Youth.
Togo
FAGAD (Frères Agriculteurs et Artisans pour le Développement)
This NGO, based in Togo, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage property of
Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba from 2008 to 2017.
This organization works with: Koutammakou Promotion and Conservation Service, the Ministry of
Culture and Sports, Management Committee of Koutammakou, Togolese National Commission
for UNESCO, Cellule Nationale pour la Production des Statistiques Culturelles, Ministry of Arts and
Culture, the Association des Jeunes Volontaires pour le Développement Communautaire (AJVDC) in
Nadoba, the Batammariba Community, and the University of Lomé.
242

This NGO, based in Benin, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage property of
Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba in 2016 and 2017.
This organization works with: Perfect Union, Qatar Museums, traditional leaders, chiefs and other
villages of the locality, local schools and colleges, and Cultural Bank Koutamakou.
Association Ma Terre-Mon Village

This NGO, based in Togo, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of
Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba in 2016, in cooperation with the Ministry for Youth,
Sports and Culture, and local associations for community development.
Association des Jeunes Volontaires pour le Développement Communautaire (AJVDC)

This NGO, based in Togo, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of
Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba in 2017, in cooperation with the National Heritage
Department, and Conservation Services.
Les Amis de la Terre

This NGO, based in Togo, carried out projects on the site on the Tentative List of Agglomération
Aného-Glidji in 2010 and 2011.
This organization works with: the Ministry of Art and Culture, the Ministry of Environment and Forest
Resources, the Ministry of Primary, Secondary and Literacy Education, Heritage Management, the
City of Aného and the Prefecture of Lakes.
Uganda
Uganda Voluntary Development Association (UVDA)
This NGO, based in Uganda, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage properties of
Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
from 2014 to 2017; and Rwenzori Mountains National Park from 2015 to 2017.
This organization works with: Buganda Kingdom, Ministry of Heritage, Tourism and Antiquities,
Uganda Wildlife Authority, Uganda Wildlife Clubs, Uganda Tourism Board, Local governments
of Kanungu and Kisoro District, community-based organizations of Kanungu, Kisoro district,
Association of Secondary School Headteachers, Principal's Association of Uganda, Uganda
Association of Primary Schools, Uganda Association of Tour Operators and Guides, Uganda
National Commission for UNESCO, local authorities, civil society organizations, and Mountain
Rwenzori National Park.
243
Zambia
Youth of Zambia (YAZ)
This NGO, based in Zambia, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage property of Mosi-oa-
Tunya / Victoria Falls from 2009 to 2013.
This organization works with: National Heritage Commission, Palmgrove Basic School, the Swedish
Center for International Youth Exchange, the National Youth Development Council, the Ministry
of Youth Sport and Child Development, MS Zambia, AIDS Campaign, local schools, local youth
organizations and local community media, and the Mkhanya chiefdom.
Youth 2 Youth in Zambia (Y2Y)

This NGO, based in Zambia, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of Mosi-
oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls in 2015.
This organization works with: the Ministry of Tourism (investment and policy), Tourism Board
(management and monitoring), Zambia Tourism Association, Chief Mukuni governance of Mukuni
village and parks, Zoom Lion, and Media Houses.
Zimbabwe
Youth 2 Youth in Zimbabwe (Y2Y)
This NGO, based in Zimbabwe, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage property of Mosi-
oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls in 2014 and 2015.
This organization works with: Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority,
Zimbabwe National Commission for UNESCO, UNESCO Harare, National Museum and Monuments
of Zimbabwe, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality
Industry, Zimbabwe Youth Council, Kwela Fleet Management, Ministry of Rural Development and
Culture Heritage, Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate, Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture,
and the National Arts Council.
Amakhosi Cultural Center

This NGO, based in Zimbabwe, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of
Matobo Hills in 2014.
This organization works with: Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture,
Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe, and the Provincial Administration of Matebeleland Sout.
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Arab States
Bahrain
Good Word Society
This NGO, based in Bahrain, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage property of Qal’at
al-Bahrain – Ancient Harbour and Capital of Dilmun in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
This organization works with: Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, Ministry of Social
Development, Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage, Heritage and historical NGOs, local schools
and universities, and companies interested in the environment and heritage.
Egypt
Kome el Dabie Community Development Association (KDCDA)
This NGO, based in Egypt, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of Ancient
Thebes with its Necropolis in 2012.
This organization works with: Komeel Dabie Village Youth Center and Community Development
Association, Naqada village local council, and the Luxor town local council.
Youth and Development Consultancy Institute – Etijah

This NGO, based in Egypt, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of Historic
Cairo in 2017.
This organization works with: the Ministry of Youth Volunteers unit, the Ministry's Youth Center,
Central Administration of Cultural and Voluntary Programs.
Red Sea Parks Association (RSPA)

This NGO, based in Egypt, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage site of Desert Wadis
in 2012, in cooperation with the Wadi El Gimal National Park.
Eco-Tourism Association Marsa Alam

This NGO, based in Egypt, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage site of Desert Wadis in
2014, in cooperation with Red Sea Parks Development Association and the Wadi El-Gimal National Park.
Morocco
Association Chantiers des Jeunes Volontaires (CJV)
This NGO, based in Morocco, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of Medina
of Fez in 2015 and 2016.
This organization works with: Water and Forestry Department of the City Council, Delegation Rescue
Fez, Delegation of the Ministry of Education, Youth Artists Association, Municipal Council of the city
of Fez, and the Delegation of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
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This NGO, based in Morocco, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage properties of Archaeological
Site of Volubilis in 2016, and Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City: A Shared Heritage in 2017.
This organization works with: the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Municipality
of Meknes, Municipality of Sidi Ali, Chamss Association (local NGO for family and child development),
Urban Commune of Rabat, Association of Sports Sites and Challenges Disabled, Association Sports
Forum, and the National Institute of Archaeology and Heritage.
Chantiers Sociaux Marocains (CSM)

This NGO, based in Morocco, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of Rabat,
Modern Capital and Historic City: A Shared Heritage in 2015, in cooperation with the Ministry of
Culture of Morocco and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Morocco.
National Union of Work Camps and Volunteers

This NGO, based in Morocco, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of Rabat,
Modern Capital and Historic City: A Shared Heritage in 2017.
This organization works with: the Ministry of Youth and Sport, the Ministry of Culture, Urban
Commune, and the Association of Sports Yards and Handicap Challenge.
Palestine
This NGO, based in Palestine, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage properties of
Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town in 2010, and Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of
Southern Jerusalem, Battir in 2013 and 2015.
This organization works with: the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Local Authorities, the Old
City Rehabilitation Committee, the Hebron Municipality and the Directorate of Tourism in Hebron
district, the Battir Landscape Eco-museum, Council of Battir Village, and Bethlehem Centre for
Cultural Heritage Preservation.
Multipurpose Community Resource Center (MCRC)

This NGO, based in Palestine, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage site of Old Town
of Nablus and its environs in 2017, in cooperation with the Municipality of Nablus, Ministry of Tourism
and Antiquities, and the UNESCO Office in Ramallah.
IWAN Center for Architectural Heritage - Islamic University of Gaza

This NGO, based in Palestine, carried out a project on the site on the Tentative List of Tell Umm Amer
in 2016.
This organization works with: the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Municipality of Alnusairat,
Culture, Arts and Folklore Association, AMIDEAST, and the ‘Touring’ Youth Group.
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Nawa for Culture and Arts Association/ Al Khidr Library for Children
This NGO, based in Palestine, carried out a project on the site on the Tentative List of Tell Umm Amer
in 2017, in cooperation with the UNESCO Office in Ramallah.
Qatar
Qatar Museums
This NGO, based in Qatar, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of Al Zubarah
Archaeological Site in 2016, in cooperation with Maersk Oil and UCL-Q.
Sudan
This NGO, based in Sudan, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Dinder
National Park in 2014, and Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay – Mukkawar Island
Marine National Park in 2016.
This organization works with: Wildlife Conservation General Administration, DNP authority, National
Forest Corporation (NFC), UNESCO National Man and Biosphere Committee (MAB), the UNESCO
field office in Khartoum, and the Sudanese Development Initiative (SUDIA).
Tunisia
This NGO, based in Tunisia, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage properties of
Kairouan/Medina of Sousse in 2012, Dougga/Thugga in 2013, and the Amphitheatre of El Jem in 2014.
This organization works with: the Municipality of Kairouan, the Municipality of Sousse and local
associations, National Institute for the Protection of Heritage, Association for the Protection of the
city of Dougga, Tunisian Audiovisual Search Organization (OTRAV), Maintenance Association of the
City of EL Jem, and the Tunisian Agency for the Protection of Heritage.
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Asia and the Pacif ic
Bangladesh
Education & Cultural Society (ECS)
This NGO, based in Bangladesh, carried out a project on the site on the Tentative List of Lalbagh Fort
in 2017.
This organization works with: International Education & Resource Network (iEARN) Bangladesh,
Department of Archaeology, Dhaka South City Corporation, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, and the
Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh.
Cambodia
Korea Angkor Cultural Heritage Institute
This NGO, based in Cambodia, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of
Angkor in 2016.
This organization works with: the Authority for the Protection of the Site and Management of the
Region of Angkor (APSARA) and the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC).
China
This NGO, based in China, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Sichuan Giant
Panda Sanctuaries − Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains in 2014; the Great Wall from 2012
to 2015; Mount Sanqingshan National Park/Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family
Mansion in Qufu from 2012 to 2016; and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System in 2016.
This organization works with: the UNESCO Beijing Office, the Chinese National Commission for
UNESCO, Mount Sanqingshan Scenic and Historic Area Administration Committee, LLYX Culture
Exchange Center, Linchuan Middle School, China Social Work Association, Sanqingshan Tourist
Administration, China Unicom, Qufu Culture Relics Management Office, Qufu Xingtan Middle School,
China Social Work Association, Great Wall Jinshanling management office, Changchengxiaozhan
Organization, Bakeshiying Central School, Bagezhuang Village, Miyun District, and Ding Xiu Mei
Quan Hotel.
Ruan Yisan Heritage Foundation

This Foundation, based in China, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage property of
Ancient City of Ping Yao in 2012 and 2013, together with REMPART in cooperation with the local
authorities of Ping Yao.
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Macao New Chinese Youth Association (MNCYA)

This NGO, based in China, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage property of the
Historic Centre of Macao from 2015 to 2017.
This organization works with: Association of Macao Chi San Na-Tcha Temple, Macao Heritage
Ambassadors Association, Macao Foundation, DESJ Macao, Macao Environment Protection
Department.
Beijing Tsinghua Tongheng Urban Planning & Design Institute, Institute for Historic and Cultural
Cities of National Importance (IHCCNI)
This NGO, based in China, carried out projects on the site on the Tentative List of Dong Villages from
2015 to 2017.
This organization works with: Tsinghua University, local authorities, Moshi architects and the Dong
Village community, World Heritage Office of Tongdao County, village committees of Gaoshang
Village, Gaosheng Village and Kezhong Village.
India
FSL India
This NGO, based in India, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage properties of Great
Himalayan National Park Conservation Area in 2017; Group of Monuments at Hampi in 2010, 2011
and from 2013 to 2017; Group of Monuments at Pattadakal in 2013 and 2014; Group of Monuments at
Mahabalipuram in 2015 and 2016; and Western Ghats in 2016 and 2017.
This organization works with: the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) of Bangalore, Dharwad,
Hampi, Kullu Himachal Pradesh, Kanchipuram and Shimoga; Forest Department and National Park
authorities, NGO Friends of Hampi, Culture and Heritage (INTACH), Indian National Trust for Art, The
Kishkinada Trust (TKT), Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority (HWHAMA), Hampi Tour
Guides Association, Vishva Chetana (NGO), Pattadakal Tour Guides Association, The Coastal Poor
Development Action Network (COPDANET), State Horticultural department of the Government of
Tamil Nadu, Government Architecture and Sculpture college Mahabalipuram, Forest Department
Agumbe, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, and local schools and authorities.
Indian Trust for Rural Heritage and Development (IT RHD)

This NGO, based in India, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mahabodhi
Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya in 2015.
This organization works with: the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI – Patna Circle), Mahabodhi
Temple Management Committee, Gaya district administration, and the Department of Art, Culture
and Youth Affairs of the Government of Bihar.
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Elixir Foundation
This NGO, based in India, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage site of Rani-ki-Vav
(the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat in 2017, in cooperation with AIESEC and Studios in Motion.
Existence
This NGO, based in India, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage site of Keibul Lamjao
Conservation Area in 2017, in cooperation with Youth Development Organization, Paradise Gardening
School, and the Forest Conservation authorities.
Indonesia
Dejavato Foundation
This NGO, based in Indonesia, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage property of
Prambanan Temple Compounds from 2008 to 2017.
This organization works with: the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Indonesia, Department of
Archeological Heritage and Preservation of Central Java, Bugisan Elementary and Junior High
School, UNESCO Office Jakarta, SD Kokosan 2 Elementary School, SD Bugisan Lor Elementary School,
SD Sanggrahan Elementary School, MTs Prambanan Junior High School, Kemudo village, Dinas
Purbakala Nasional Indonesia (National Archeology Department of Indonesia), Dinas Pendidikan
Nasional Indonesia (National Education Department of Indonesia), Indonesia National Commission
for UNESCO (Youth and Culture section), and the UNESCO Club.

This NGO, based in Indonesia, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage properties of
Borobudur Temple Compounds from 2008 to 2017, and the Ujung Kulon National Park in 2013 and 2014.
This organization works with: Borobudur Conservation Office, PT. Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur,
Office of Education and Culture Dept. Magelang Region, The Young Guardian Club and IIWC
Community Borobudur, Directorate General of Historical Remains and Museum of Indonesia, Youth
Desk of the Indonesian National Commission for UNESCO, UNESCO Gallery, Local Government of
Magelang Region, the Young Guardian Club – IIWC Community Borobudur, local Guide Association
of Borobudur, Ministry of Education and Culture of Indonesia, Historical Remains of Indonesia,
Borobudur Local Artists Association, the Ministry of Forestry Republic Indonesia, Ujung Kulon
National Park Office, local High Schools in Pandeglang Regency, and the local Government of
Pandeglang Regency.
Gerakan Kerelawanan Internasional (GREAT)

This NGO, based in Indonesia, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of
Borobudur Temple Compounds in 2016 in cooperation with the Young Guardians Club Borobudur,
Borobudur Conservation Office, and the Office of Education and Culture of Magelang Regency.
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Islamic Republic of Iran

This NGO, based in the Islamic Republic of Iran, carried out projects on the UNESCO World
Heritage sites of Cultural Landscape of Maymand in 2016, and the Persian Garden and The
Persian Qanat in 2017.
This organization works with: the site management of the Cultural Landscape of Maymand and
Payam e Sabz Organization, the International Center on Qanats and Historic Hydraulic Systems
(ICQHS) Tamadon Karizi Consulting Eng. (TKCE), Karizban NGO, the Public Library of Mehriz, and the
Puppet Museum of Kashan.
Japan
This NGO, based in Japan, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Shirakami-
Sanchi in 2008 and 2015, and Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape in 2010, 2012 and
2013.
This organization works with: Shirakami Mountains Preservation Society (SMPS), Midori to Mizu
no Renraku Kaigi (NGO), local government of Oda city, local schools, Shimane University, and the
Japanese National Commission for UNESCO
Malaysia
Persatuan Kebudayaan dan Kebajikan Chetti Melaka
This NGO, based in Malaysia, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage site of Melaka
and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca in 2014, in cooperation with Persatuan
Kampong Chetti.
Nepal
We Inspire Nepal (WIN)
This NGO, based in Nepal, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of
Kathmandu Valley in 2013, in cooperation with Baha: Space for Private Innovation Limited and
Lalitpur Sub Metropolitan City Office.
SamYuBaa
This NGO, based in Nepal, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of
Kathmandu Valley in 2015, in cooperation with the Building and Heritage Division of the Kathmandu
Metropolitan City.
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This NGO, based in Nepal, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage property of Kathmandu
Valley in 2015 and 2016, and on the site on the Tentative List of Vajrayogini and early settlement of
sankhu in 2016 and 2017.
This organization works with: Swoyambhunath Conservation Committee, Nepal Government
Department of Archaeology, UNESCO Office in Kathmandu, Kathmandu Metropolis, local
conservation and management office, Department of Archaeology, and local youth organizations.
Philippines
Youth for Sustainable Development Assembly – YSDA
This NGO, based in the Philippines, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage property of
Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras in 2014 and 2015.
This organization works with: the Municipal Government of Kiangan, Barangay of Nagacadan,
UNESCO National Commission for the Philippines, Kiangan Central School and Kiangan tribe, and
the Heritage Conservation Society.
Republic of Korea
This NGO, based in the Republic of Korea, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage
properties of Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites in 2008, Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava
Tubes in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2015, Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong from 2012 to 2014,
and Namhansanseong from 2015 to 2017.
This organization works with: CCIVS, YAP, ALLIANCE, NVDA, Ganghwaro, Global Inner Peace
NGO, Jeju Solidarity for Participatory Self‐Government and Environmental Preservation (JSPSEP),
Yangdong Village committee, Yandong Elementary School, Kyoung Ju Provincial City administration,
Eunhaeng-dong Youth Culture Center, Seongnam City Youth Foundation, and local elementary
schools.

This national organization, established in the Republic of Korea, carried out projects on the UNESCO
World Heritage sites of Gyeongju Historic Areas in 2012, Southwestern Coast Tidal Flats (Muan) from
2013 to 2015, and Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016.
This organization works with: the local NGO Shilla People (Saramdeul), Jeju Provincial Government,
Eomeong Abang Feast Village, YWCA Seogwipo, Jeju National University, Eco Horizon Institute,
Muan Provincial Government, Muan Ecological Tidal Flat Center, local universities, and regional
elementary schools and community centres.
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Thailand
Pitaya Suwan Foundation-Greenway
This NGO, based in Thailand, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage site of Dong
Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex in 2008, in cooperation with the Forestry Department of the
Khao Yai National Park.
Viet Nam
This NGO, based in Viet Nam, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage properties of Ha
Long Bay in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012, the Citadel of the Ho Dynasty in 2013 and 2014, and Hoi An
Ancient Town in 2015 and 2016.
This organization works with: Ho Chi Minh Youth Union, Language Link Vietnam, the Ha Long Bay
Management Department, the Ha Long City Youth Union and the Youth Union in Quang Ninh,
Thanh Hoa Union of Friendship Organization, Management Department of Citadel of Ho Dynasty,
Department of Foreign Affairs in Thanh Hoa, the UNESCO Office in Ha Noi, ILO Country Office,
People’s Committee of Quang Nam Province, Yxine Media, national universities, Social Enterprise
Green Youth Collective, the Farmers’ Cooperative of Triem Tay Village, and local schools.
Volunteers for Peace Vietnam

This NGO, based in Viet Nam, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage property of Central
Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long − Hanoi from 2011 to 2013, in cooperation with the
UNESCO Office in Ha Noi, Thang Long World Heritage Conservation Office, local high schools, and
Hanoi University.
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Albania
Albanian National Trust
The Trust carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of Historic Centres of Berat
and Gjirokastra in 2010 together with REMPART, in cooperation with the Institute of Monuments in
Tirana and the Gjirokastra Municipality.
Armenia
This NGO, based in Armenia, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage properties of
Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots from 2010 to 2013
and from 2015 to 2017, and the Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley in 2010, 2011 and
2013.
This organization works with: the Ministry of Culture of Armenia, member organizations of the
Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organizations, the Armenian Apostolic Church, Directorate
of the Zvartnots State Museum, the Service for the Protection of Historical Environment and Cultural
Museum Reservations, and the member organizations of the Alliance of European Voluntary Service
Organizations.
Austria
Village of Hallstatt (Hallstatt Municipality)
This village in the municipality of Hallstatt carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage
property of Hallstatt-Dachstein / Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape from 2014 to 2016.
This institution works with: the Austrian Youth Alpine Association, the Austrian Service for Torrent
and Avalanche Control, Austria Federal Forests, Catholic Church Club of Hallstatt, CSETC, Service
Civil International Austria, the Provincial Government of Upper Austria, and the site Management of
Hallstatt-Dachstein / Salzkammergut.
Service Civil International Austria

This NGO, based in Austria, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage property of Wachau
Cultural Landscape from 2011 to 2014.
This organization works with: Arbeitskreis Wachau, Jauerling Wachau Nature Park, Lanius (Research
Group for Regional Fauna Studies and Applied Protection of Nature), Agricultural Community of
Rossatz, Fire Department of Rührsdorf, Hunting Club Spitz and Wein- und Obstbauschule Krems,
International Civil Service − Austria, and the Austrian Alpine Youth Association.
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Wachau-Dunkelsteinerwald Regionalentwicklung
This regional institution carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of Wachau
Cultural Landscape in 2017.
This institution works with: LNAIUS (Research Group for Regional Fauna Studies and Applied Protection of
Nature), local communities, the Austrian Youth Alpine Association, and International Civil Service – Austria.
Belgium
This NGO, based in Belgium, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage properties of Major
Mining Sites of Wallonia in 2014 and Neolithic Flint Mines at Spiennes (Mons) in 2016.
This organization works with: the Prehistoric Research Society in Hainaut, Public Service of Wallonia,
the City of Mons, Hainaut Province (Hainaut Culture-Tourisme), Bois-du-Luc Ecomuseum, the Maison
du Tourisme du Parc des Canaux et Châteaux (regional ‘Park of Canals and Castles’ tourist office),
and the City of La Louvière
Bulgaria
Bulgarian Archaeological Association
This NGO, based in Bulgaria, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage site of Frontiers
of the Roman Empire - The Danube Limes in Bulgaria in 2017, in cooperation with Vidin Historical
Museum and the Municipality of Dimovo.
Estonia
This NGO, based in Estonia, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Historic
Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn in 2011 and Wooded meadows (Laelatu, Kalli-Nedrema, Mäepea, Allika,
Tagamoisa, Loode, Koiva, Halliste) in 2014.
This organization works with: the Estonian Nature Fund (ELF), Alliance of European Voluntary Service
Organizations, the Language School in Down-Town and the Municipality of Tallinn.
Finland
The Governing Body of Suomenlinna
This site management authority, based in Finland, carried out projects on the UNESCO World
Heritage property of the Fortress of Suomenlinna from 2015 to 2017.
This institution works with: Allianssi Youth Exchanges, Viapori Forum association for artists and
artisans in Suomenlinna, Helsinki International Artist Programme, Ehrensvärd Society, Voluntary
Residents of Suomenlinna, Education in Finland (Hostel Suomenlinna), Voluntary Residents of
Suomenlinna & Helsinki, Finnish Youth Centres.
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France
Solidarités Jeunesses France
This NGO, based in France, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Fortifications
of Vauban in 2008 and 2009, and the Arsenal de Rochefort et fortifications de l'estuaire de la Charente
in 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2015.
This organization works with: the Ministry for Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Culture and
Communication, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, the Conservatoire
du Littoral and several regional councils, the Mission Locale pour les Jeunes de Rochefort-Oléron,
City council of l’Île d’Aix, General Council of Charentes-Maritime, Regional Council, ‘Architectes
des bâtiments de France’, Conservatoire du Littoral, Schools of l’Île d’Aix, High school of Fouras
and Rochefort, Cultural and athletic associations of the Pays Rochefortais territory, the regional
newspaper ‘SUD OUEST’ and the regional television channel MaTivi.
Concordia France
This NGO, based in France, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Parc national
de la Vanoise in 2011, The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural Landscape
in 2012 and 2013 and Saint-Maximin in 2008.
This organization works with: Conseil Régional de Picardie/Conseil Général de l’Oise, regional
and local governmental institutions, the Vanoise Park authority, The Sports, Youths, Non-Formal
Education and Associative Life Ministry, Ministry of Culture and Communication, Regional Council,
Solidarités Jeunesses National Secretariat, Municipality of St Andéol de Clerguemort, community of
municipalities ‘Cevennes au Mont Lozère’, the NGO ‘Artisants Bâtisseurs en Pierre Sèches’, Park of
Cevennes, community of municipalities of Pays de Florac and Haut Tarn.
REMPART
This NGO, based in France, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage property of the
Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion in 2010, 2014 and 2016.
This organization works with: the Municipality of Saint Émilion, the Ministry of Culture, the
Association Adichats, Union REMPART, and the Ministry for Youth and Sports. It also cooperated
with the Albanian National Trust in 2010 on the UNESCO World Heritage site of Historic Centres of
Berat and Gjirokastra and with the Ruan Yisan Heritage Foundation in 2012 and 2013 on the UNESCO
World Heritage site of Ancient City of Ping Yao.
Germany
European Heritage Volunteers
This NGO, based in Germany, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage properties of
Classical Weimar from 2012 to 2017, and the Upper Middle Rhine Valley in 2016 and 2017
This organization works with: Klassik Stiftung Weimar (Classical Weimar Foundation), the German
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National Commission for UNESCO, Weimar-Jena Academy, Thuringian Green League, Evangelical
Organization for Education of Adults in Thuringia, German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior
Citizens, Women and Youth, Bauhaus University Weimar, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley Association,
City of Rhens, Rießling Charta (regional winemakers’ association).
Bürgerverein Schmie
The civic association of the city of Schmie, based in Germany, carried out a project on the UNESCO
World Heritage property of Maulbronn Monastery Complex in 2016.
This association works with European Heritage Volunteers, Landesamt für Denkmalpflege Baden-
Württemberg, Internationale Begegnung in Gemeinschaftsdiensten, Forstamt Enzkreis, and the
Ministerium für Kultus, Jugend und Sport des Landes Baden-Württemberg (Baden-Württemberg’s
Culture, Youth and Sports Ministry).
Iceland
SEEDS Iceland
This NGO, based in Iceland, carried out one project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of
Þingvellir National Park in 2013, in cooperation with the Icelandic National Parks Service.
Italy
Youth Action for Peace Italy
This NGO, based in Italy, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage property of Archaeological
Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata in 2014 and 2015.
This organization works in cooperation with: Youth Forum of Ercolano, Municipality of Ercolano,
Municipality of San Giorgio a Cremano, Youth Policy Office of San Giorgio a Cremano, The
Herculaneum Conservation Project and The Herculaneum Centre, Icomos – International Council on
Monument and Sites, Arteteca Association and Pro Loco Herculaneum.
Legambiente
This NGO, based in Italy, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage properties of Portovenere,
Cinque Terre, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto), Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park
with the Archeological sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula, The Sassi and the park
of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera in 2010, and Venice and its Lagoon in 2009 and 2010.
This organization works in cooperation with: the Cinque Terre National Park, the ‘Le Monacelle’
foundation, the cultural organization MAPArt, the organization Volunteers for Environment, the
Park Agency of Rupestrian Churches − Matera and the City of Matera, the Superintendence of
Archeological Heritage‐Paestum and the City of Capaccio‐Paestum, the Municipality of Venice, the
Lagoon Park Authority, the Nautical Pole Vento di Venezia, and the NGO Certosa Committee.
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Fondazione Barumini Sistema Cultura
This NGO, based in Italy, carried out one project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of
Su Nuraxi di Barumini in 2012, in cooperation with the Municipality of Barumini.
Vedi Napoli
Historic Centre of Naples in 2013 and 2014.
This Organization works with: City Hall of Naples, Opera Don Calabria, Studio Santabarbara, Youth
Action for Peace Italy, and Ambaradam!
Comitato Fondo Ambiente Italianodi Ferrara

Ferrara, City of the Renaissance, and its Po Delta in 2014.
This organization works with: Parco del Delta del Po, Comacchio Municipality, Ferrara Municipality,
Legambiente, University of Ferrara.
Tu Quoque
Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto) in 2015.
This organization works with: Local parishes, ITLA (International Terraced Landscape Alliance) and its
Italian branch, and IBO (International Building Organization).
Lithuania
Lithuanian Fund for Nature
This NGO, based in Lithuania, carried out one project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of
Curonian Spit in 2015, in cooperation with Kursiu nerija (Curonian Spit) National Park Administration.
Montenegro
Association for democratic prosperity − Zid
This NGO, based in Montenegro, carried out one project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of
Durmitor National Park in 2015, in cooperation with Durmitor National Park, the tourist organization
Žabljak and Office for Youth.
Netherlands
Projectbureau Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie
This state authority, based in the Netherlands, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage
site of Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie in 2013 and 2014.
This authority works with: Municipality of Utrecht, Provincial Council, Rijkswaterstaat (National
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Water Board), Landschap Erfgoed Utrecht (LEU), Staatsbosbeheer (State Forestry Service), Ministry
of Defensek, Polderwachter, Buitenmakelaar.
Portugal
This municipality, based in Evora in Portugal, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage
property of Historic Centre of Évora in 2014 and 2015.
This municipality works with: Academic Association of the University of Évora, UNESCO ‘Science
Village’ Centre, Regional Council of Évora – National Body of Scouts, Lua aos Quadradinhos
Association, District Council of the Socialist Youth and Academic Group Seistetos.
Russian Federation
Mir Tesen
This NGO, based in the Russian Federation, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage
property of Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments from 2012 to 2014,
and in 2016 and 2017.
This organization works with: Culture Committee of St. Petersburg, Committee for Culture of the
Leningrad region, Federal Cultural and Historical Monuments Management Agency, Gostilitsy Local
Municipality, Saint Petersburg Noble Assembly, The Youth Centre of Vasileostrovskiy District, Russian
Orthodox Church, State Museums Reserve Tsarskoe Selo, Pushkin Local Municipalities, and State
Museum Reserve Peterhof.
Center of International Youth and Student exchange voluntary programs ‘World4U’

This NGO, based in the Russian Federation, carried out one project on the UNESCO World Heritage
property of Cultural and Historic Ensemble of the Solovetsky Islands in 2016 and 2017, in cooperation
with State Solovetsky Historical, Cultural and Natural Reserve Museum.
SFERA Movement
This NGO, based in the Russian Federation, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage
properties of Virgin Komi Forests in 2017, and Lake Baikal from 2011 to 2014.
The organization works with: ‘Yugyd va’ Natural Reserve, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Archive
Keeping of the Komi Republic, Ministry of Education, Science and Youth Policy of the Komi Republic,
Baikal Biosphere Reserve, School #21 in Tanhoi, regional, Kabanskiy, Ministry of Natural Resources of
the Republic of Buryatia and Stationary Camp ‘International Baikal shore Voluntary Service’.
Cultural World Heritage Centre, Kazan Federal University

This university, based in the Russian Federation, carried out one project on the UNESCO World
Heritage property of Bolgar Historical and Archaeological Complex in 2017.
259
The organization works with: Bolgar State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve, Khalikov
Institute of Archaeology, Regional Foundation of Revival of Historical and Cultural Monuments of the
Republic of Tatarstan, and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan.
The Great Baikal Trail

This NGO, based in the Russian Federation, carried out one project on the UNESCO World Heritage
property of Lake Baikal in 2017 in cooperation with the Baikal Nature Reserve.
Serbia
Institute for Cultural Heritage Preservation NIŠ
This regional state institute carried out one project on the site on the Tentative List of Caričin Grad –
Iustiniana Prima, archaeological site in 2017.
This institute works with: Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Serbia, Archaeological
Institute Belgrade, Republican Institute for Cultural Heritage Preservation Belgrade, Architect
Aleksandar Radović Foundation, National Museum of Leskovac, and the Municipality of Lebane.
Slovakia
The Calvary Fund
This NGO, based in Slovakia, carried out one project on the UNESCO World Heritage property
of Historic Town of Banská Štiavnica and the Technical Monuments in its Vicinity in 2014. This
organization works with: INEX (International Youth Exchanges and Workcamps), the Baden-Powell
Foundation, St. Juraj Howtel, Kolo s.r.o., Youth in Action, Sibacol s.r.o.
Ukraine
All.Ukrainian Association for Youth Co-operation, Alternative V
This NGO, based in Ukraine, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage property of L'viv –
the Ensemble of the Historic Centre from 2008 to 2014.
This organization works with: ‘Zelenyi L’viv’ (Green L’viv), L’viv City State Administration for Historical
Environmental Protection, the UNESCO National Commission of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Family,
Youth and Sports.
260

Argentina
Subir al Sur
This NGO, based in Argentina, carried out one project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of
Quebrada de Humahuaca in 2012.
This organization works with: the Tilcara Teacher Training Institute − History section, Interdisciplinary
Institute of the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters of the University of Buenos Aires, Cultural Centre of
Maimara, and the local municipalities.
Bolivia
Red Tinku
This NGO, based in Bolivia, carried out projects on the site on the Tentative List of Incallajta, the
largest Inca site in the Kollasuyo in 2012, and the UNESCO World Heritage property of Historical City
of Sucre in 2016.
This organization works with: the Anthropological Museum of the State University, the Governor of
the city of Sucre, Gobierno Autónomo de la ciudad de Sucre, and the Comité Cívico de la Ciudad de
Sucre.
Colombia
Barranquilla+20
This NGO, based in Colombia, carried out one project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of Los
Katíos National Park in 2014, in cooperation with Global Youth Voices.
Costa Rica
OSACOOP
This NGO, based in Costa Rica, carried out projects on the site on the Tentative List of Corcovado
National Park and Isla del Caño Biological Reserve in 2016.
This organization works with: the Concejo Tecnico Local, ADI La Palma and ADI Puerto Jimenez,
INDER (Instituto de desarrollo rural), and Minaet (Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía).
Jamaica
Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust
This NGO, based in Jamaica, carried out one project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of Blue
and John Crow Mountains in 2017.
This organization works in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Gender Entertainment and
261
Sports, Jamaica National Heritage Trust, National Environment and Planning Agency, Forestry
Development, and the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica/Forest Conservation Fund.
Mexico
This NGO, based in Mexico, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage properties of
Archaeological Monuments Zone of Xochicalco in 2011, Earliest 16th-Century Monasteries on the
Slopes of Popocatepetl from 2010 to 2012, and Pre-Hispanic City and National Park of Palenque in
2013, and on the Churches of the Zoque Province, a site formerly on the tentative list (withdrawn in
2013), in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013.
This organization works with: INAH-Morelos, the Morelos Institute of Culture, Secretary of Public
Education, Municipality of Palenque, INAH-Chiapas, Secretary of Tourism of Chiapas, Secretary of
Foreign Affairs (SRE), CONECULTA, Municipality of Palenque and Las Casas: Nuestra Herencia, SeLider
San Cris-tóbal de Las Casas, Centro Cultural Talentos y Vida A.C., the INAH Morelos, the Mexican
Institute of Youth, the Casimires BURLMEX, S.A. DE C.V, the Parish de Rosary Virgen, the Municipality
and the Tourism Office of Zacualpan, the Municipality of Yecapixtla, the Parish of Ocuituco, the
Municipality of Ocuituco, Parish of San Juan Bautista de Tlayacapan Morelos, the Museum of
Tlayacapan, the Municipality of Tlayacapan, Cultural Committee Raices de mi Pueblo, local schools,
Casa de la Cultura, Municipalities and Parishes of Copainalá, Tapalapa and Chapultenango, Centro
Cultural ‘Raices de mi Pueblo’, El cuarto poder, the Ministry for the Development of the Southern
Border, the Centro Cultural de los Altos de Chiapas, the Municipality of Tecpatán, and the Instituto
de Historia Natural
Voluntarios Internacionales Mexico A.C. (VIMEX)

This NGO, based in Mexico, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage properties of
Archaeological Monuments Zone of Xochicalco in 2012, Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan in 2013, and
Earliest 16th-Century Monasteries on the Slopes of Popocatepetl in 2012, 2013 and 2015.
This organization works with: the Archaeological zone of Xochicalco, INAH México, INAH Morelos,
Office of Tourism of Temixco, Secretariat of Tourism of Morelos, Instituto de Cultura de Morelos,
Municipalities of Cuentepec, Xochicalco, Tetlama, Ocuituco, Atlatlahucan, Yecapixtla, Tepoztlán,
Tlayacapan, Tetela del Volcán and Zacualpan, CONACULTA (National Council of Culture and Arts,
Archeological Zone of Teotihuacán, Instituto de Cultura del Estado de México, Secretariat of Tourism
of the Estado de México, Institute of Youth of the Estado de México, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(DGVOSC), UNESCO Mexico, the local associations Centro Cultural Talentos y Vida A.C., Zacualtepec,
Coatecuitl A.C., Grupo Cultural de Tetela del Volcán A.C., and the local parishes of all ex convents.
Vive Mexico
This NGO, based in Mexico, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage property of Historic
262
Centre of Morelia in 2008 and from 2012 to 2014.

This organization works with: the City council of Morelia, Instituto de la Juventud Moreliana, the Urban
Development Department, the Downtown Cleaning Department, Gardens and Parks Department,
Committee of Preservation of the Historical Centre of Morelia, and the Secretary of International
Relations.
Morelos Government’s Youth Institute

This governmental association, based in Mexico, carried out one project on the UNESCO World
Heritage property of Earliest 16th-Century Monasteries on the Slopes of Popocatepetl in 2014.
This organization works with: Morelos State Government: Ministries of Culture, Tourism, Social
Development, Sustainable Development, and Education, the Institute of Radio and Television, UAEM
State University (Faculty of Humanities), Institute of National Anthropology and History (INAH),
Fundación Comunidad, Radio Chinelo A.C., Red RIE A.C., and Colectivo Zigoto.
Asociación Mexicana de Voluntariado International A.C.

This NGO, based in Mexico, carried out one project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of
Earliest 16th-Century Monasteries on the Slopes of Popocatepetl in 2017.
This organization works with: National Institute of Anthropology and History-Morelos, Secretariat
of Tourism, Secretariat of Culture, Institute of Youth, Institute of Radio, TV and Cinematography –
Morelos, Municipality of Totolapan, Municipality of Yecapixtla, Municipality of Zacualpan de Amilpas,
Municipality of Ocuituco, Municipality of Tepoztlán, Municipality of Tlalnepantla, and the Municipality
of Cuautla.
Departamento de Museos y Servicios Educativos de la Zona de Monumentos Arqueológicos de

Teotihuacan Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia
This site management authority, based in Mexico, carried out projects on the UNESCO World
Heritage property of Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan from 2015 to 2017.
This institution works with: INAH, Coordinación Nacional de Arqueología, Zona de Monumentos
Arqueológicos de Teotihuacán, Departamento de Museos y Servicios Educativos, CEAPRAJ Fraternity,
RED Iberoamericana de Inclusion – RED MELISA, Club UNESCO Hypatia, and the site operations
manager.
Peru
This NGO, based in Peru, carried out projects on the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Historic
Centre of Cajamarca (Tentative List) in 2009, Huascarán National Park in 2011, Sacred City of Caral-
Supe in 2012, Historic Centre of Lima in 2014, and Chan Chan Archaeological Zone from 2010 to 2015.
This organization works with: Channel 21 TV Cajamarca, Panamericana TV, Radio Layzón, the Mesa
263
de concertación de lucha contra la pobreza, AGUIPTUR, CARETUR, the Municipality of Cajamarca,
the Ministry of Culture of Peru, the Ministry of Education, National Service of Protected Areas, the
regional government of Ancash, the National Volunteer Centre of Peru (CENAVOL), Unidad Ejecutura
003, Zona Arqueológica de Caral, Municipality of Supe, the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima – Soy
Lima, Proyecto Especial Complejo Arqueológico Chan Chan, Unidad Ejectura 006, Unidad Ejectura
110, Municipality of Trujillo, Municipality of Huanchaco, University Antenor Orregor, schools of Trujillo,
and local primary and secondary schools, universities and youth voluntary organizations.
Proyecto Especial Complejo Arqueológico Chan Chan

This unit from Peruvian Ministry of Culture carried out one project on the UNESCO World Heritage
property of Chan Chan Archaeological Zone in 2013.
This organization works with: Chan Chan Archaeological Zone, Proyecto Especial Complejo
Arqueológico Chan Chan, local universities, and local schools.
Saint Lucia
Perfect Union
This NGO, based in Saint Lucia, carried out a project on the UNESCO World Heritage property of
Pitons Management Area in 2016, in cooperation with school youth clubs, local associations, private
companies and public structures.
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

Asociación de Scouts de Venezuela
This NGO, based in the Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), carried out a project on the UNESCO
World Heritage property of Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas in 2014, in cooperation with the Council
for the Preservation and Development of the Central University of Venezuela (COPRED).
264
Annex 2
Suggested learning activities for volunteers 8
Activity 1
Heritage-mapping and needs assessment

Name of the activity Heritage-mapping and needs assessment
Objectives To allow local inhabitants to collectively create visual inventories of their own
community’s assets.
To contribute to the development of a strategic approach to the preservation
and valorization of local tangible and intangible heritage.
Key words Heritage-mapping; active participation; tangible and intangible

heritage awareness.
Target group Local inhabitants, participants in workcamps and trainings, mid- and long-term
volunteers.
Group size 5 to 20 participants
Time 2 full days minimum
Overview and This activity can be undertaken during a workcamp, or prior to the project, in
preparation the frame of a long-term volunteer project. The outcomes of this activity will be
important qualitative data and can be used to showcase the needs of a local
community and establish strategic partnerships. Assets could include built, as well
as intangible, heritage features (traditions, practices, knowledge and expressions of
human creativity), anything that people who live and work in the territories feel it is
significant to them.
Facilitators and leaders should establish baseline information and
preparatory work.
Material to be prepared: flipcharts and markers, and if it is possible audio and video
recording equipment. Participants can use their smartphones to film and record.
1
Methodology The methodology of Participatory Asset Mapping used in Social Sciences will be
adapted for use in relation to diverse cultural heritage. Participatory Asset Mapping
is a process where community members collectively create visual inventories of
their own community’s assets on a map.
8 This article was first published in Volunteering and Heritage Management (CCIVS, 2018).
266
A nn ex 2 : S u gges ted lea rni n g activitie s
for vo l u nte e rs
Step-by-step ◆ Facilitators and leaders transfer information and preparatory work.

◆ Work is done in small groups, participants are invited to reflect about the
learning objectives of IVS projects in the fields of cultural heritage and diversity.
The method used consisted of a process starting from a general perspective
(macro-categories) and proceeding towards specific targets.
◆ Participants are meant to first agree on general cultural heritage categories or
macro-categories and specific elements.
◆ They should begin by itemizing all cultural heritage elements that a local
community feels to be of significant value to them.
◆ For each category and element, participants should define statements or
questions and elaborate a form.
◆ Field work: there are different types and levels of consultation and these can
take place as a forum, symposium, or simple one-on-one meeting, depending
on the setting or context (to be defined depending on the time available for
the activity).
◆ Participant observation, dialogue with the community and raising awareness on
cultural heritage.
◆ Data capturing tools: participants can use audio and video recording equipment
besides flipcharts and markers.
◆ Mapping exercise: collecting data and filling forms previous prepared.
◆ Restitution and sharing information: participants will prepare an exhibition that
will be held in an ‘Open Day’ event.
◆ Production of a booklet or a guidebook if it is possible.
Debriefing
Follow-up
Resources
267
Activity 2
Collaborative heritage walks: Sharing

stories, building new paths
Name of the activity Collaborative heritage walks: Sharing stories, building new paths
Objectives To create a dynamic and interactive space of mutual exchange between local
community and volunteers.
To make local habitants and visitors more conscious of what living in this
place means.
To bring out how the people in a certain community relate to their own
cultural heritage.
To find out more about the local heritage.
Key words Local heritage; participative path; sustainable development
Target group Participants in training or capacity-building trainings in a cultural heritage field or

a workcamp.
Group size 2 to 15 participants
Time 2 hours
Overview and The organization should contact local inhabitants prior to the project. A map or
preparation guide could be produced.
Methodology Intercultural exchange
Step-by-step During a walk through the cultural heritage of city or village, the inhabitants will
point out interesting or unknown places, but also talk about their daily life in the
place. This way, local inhabitants will develop a greater sense of belonging to their
own territory and volunteers will acquire deeper knowledge of the local heritage.
The idea is to showcase not only the institutional heritage but also other forms like
intangible, contested and industrial, etc.
Debriefing Which places did you visit? What kind of elements or stories were showcased
during the walk?
Follow-up Thematic routes can be proposed.
Resources
268
for vo l u nte e rs
Activity 3:
Mental map – Visual representation of

heritage
Name of the activity Mental map – visual representation of heritage
Objectives To understand how participants perceive heritage.

To position themselves in their own heritage system.
To contribute to the collective definition of heritage.
Key words Heritage; self-awareness; visual representation
Target group Local inhabitants, participants in capacity-building trainings or an action

camp in the field of cultural heritage.
Group size 10−20 participants
Time method 45 minutes
Overview and preparation Participants draw mental maps in order to understand how they perceive
and position themselves towards heritage. Mental maps are representations
of spatial knowledge which are determined by the individual's perspective.
Materials needed: papers, flipcharts, pencils and markers. Prepare materials
in a room.
Methodology In the first part of the activity, participants use the mental map. Mental
mapping is a useful method for revealing how individuals spatially perceive
a reality. A mental map is a person's point-of-view perception of an area or
an image of a larger environment. This type of visual mapping consists in
putting in evidence subjective qualities from individuals such as personal
preferences or/and practical uses.
In the second part of the activity, the walking gallery and working in small
groups methods are used.
Step-by-step - Provide some drawing materials such as papers, pencils and markers and
put them in the centre of a room.
- Ask participants to split into in groups of 2 or 3 people and to describe
without drawing how they see their own city or village in terms of heritage
(main heritage elements should be represented).
- Request participants to then draw individually on a blank sheet of paper.
- Ask the group to stick the mental maps on the wall of the room.
- Ask participants to go around the room observing the mental maps and
taking notes about the impressions they have.
- Invite participants to share their own mental map and to debate about
their own visual heritage representation in small groups.
- In the same groups, invite them to define the concept of heritage.
- Feedback in plenary and set up a collective and inclusive definition of
heritage.
Debriefing How similar or diverse are the participants’ maps?

How many heritage elements are represented?
How much space is given to tangible heritage in the map?
Is there any map that represented the intangible heritage? If yes, have
participants represented intangible elements in a material way?
Are there any border limits in the representation?
Follow-up This activity should be done at the beginning of a training or an action camp.
It could be interesting to do the same activity towards the end of a training
in order to check if there any changes.
Resources
269
Activity 4:
Exploring identities through gender

Name of the activity Exploring identities through gender
Aim and objectives Explore how gender issues are brought into the field of cultural heritage;
Develop new narratives with regard to cultural heritage.
Showcase attentiveness to the gendered curation, protection, preservation
and commemoration of the past.
Key words Identity; gender; cultural heritage and diversity
Target group Participants in training or capacity-building trainings, or an action camp.
Time method 45−50 minutes
Overview and preparation This activity intends to question gender within heritage, identity issues and
how to consider the value of heritage today.
Materials needed for the activity are flipcharts or poster papers and coloured
markers and pens.
Methodology ‘Silent discussion’: this discussion strategy uses writing and silence as
tools to help participants explore a topic in depth. Silent discussions allow
participants to activate prior knowledge, stereotypes and preconceived ideas
related to topics. This method helps to make new connections and learn
from the collective knowledge of the group.
Step-by-step - This activity will be completed in silence. All communication is done by

writing or drawing.
- Divide participants into five groups. Each group should have a big flipchart
or poster paper and coloured markers and pens.
- In the centre of the flipchart, put an image, problem or quotation.
- The groups read the text or look at the image in silence.
- Participants write out or draw their thoughts and questions on the topic
around the text or image.
- If someone in the group writes a question, another member of the group
should address the question by writing on the flipchart. Participants can
draw lines connecting a comment to a particular question. The length of this
step should be at least 15 minutes.
- In the next step, participants from each group go silently around the room
visiting other groups and are allowed to write/draw their ideas on other
posters or flipcharts.
- Silence is broken after another 15 minutes and participants can exchange
thoughts about their ideas and discuss verbally.
Debriefing As a group, explore the contents, discuss ideas, reactions and responses
written on the flipcharts. Put the flipcharts on a wall and use the ‘Walking
Gallery’ for participants to go around.
Follow-up
Resources
270
for vo l u nte e rs
Activity 5:
‘PhotoVoicing’ intangible heritage

Name of the activity ‘PhotoVoicing’ intangible heritage
Aim and objectives To use photography to raise awareness and identify intangible heritage.
To understand the social functions and challenges for transmission of
intangible heritage to future generations.
Key words Intangible heritage; participatory; grassroots social action.
Target group Participants in training or capacity-building trainings, or an action camp.
Time method 3 hours (+)
Overview and preparation This is a practical and interactive activity that uses photography and social
action to explore the intangible heritage: practices, expressions and cultural
skills of a community.
Material to be prepared: photography equipment. If this is not possible,
participants can use their smartphones.
Methodology PhotoVoice is a sub-type of a participatory visual and qualitative method

used for community-based participatory research to document and reflect
reality. It is an empowering and flexible process that combines photography
with grassroots social action. Other methods to be used are: small groups,
debates and round tables.
Step-by-step - Participants are divided into small groups. Each group is provided with
digital camera (or if this is not possible, they can use their smartphones).
- Participants are asked to express their points of view by photographing
scenes that highlight intangible heritage.
- These photographs are collaboratively interpreted through discussions in
small groups. The idea is to create a storytelling. Texts explaining the photos
highlighting intangible heritage in a local community can be developed.
- Results are shared with local communities in an ‘Open Doors’ day, through
exhibitions and round tables.
Debriefing
Follow-up
Resources
271
Within the framework of the World Heritage Education programme, the World
Heritage Volunteers Initiative was launched in 2008, in collaboration with the
Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS), with the
aim of mobilizing and involving young people in World Heritage preservation and
promotion. Through action camps run by local youth organizations, NGOs, heritage-
or education-related institutions and other organizations, national and international
volunteers join with local communities to carry out preservation and conservation
activities and awareness-raising campaigns on issues related to World Heritage. The
World Heritage Volunteers Initiative is now coordinated in collaboration with CCIVS,
with regional coordination by European Heritage Volunteers and Better World.
The publication Empowering Youth for Heritage provides a retrospective journey

through the first 10 years of the World Heritage Volunteers Initiative, and brings
together all the concrete experiences of volunteers, organizations and local
communities. Empowering Youth for Heritage shows how volunteering at World
Heritage sites benefits the local, national and international community, while being
a catalyst for change within individuals and society. Through 341 projects, 10 of which
are highlighted as best practices from 5 regions of the world, the publication explores
the global impact of the World Heritage Volunteers Initiative in terms of knowledge,
skills and attitudes developed, while giving insights into the role of youth in preserving
and promoting our Heritage.
Through Empowering Youth for Heritage, we celebrate the commitment and

engagement of organizations, coordinating partners, institutions and volunteers to
preserving our Heritage beyond territories and boundaries. This publication aims
to promote the visibility and sustainability of the Initiative in order to continue its
outstanding achievements, and to engage new organizations, institutions and
volunteers in the coming years.
In cooperation with
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United Nations World World Heritage Volunteers Initiative

Educational, Scientific and Heritage
Cultural Organization Centre 9 789231 003837

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Empowering

United Nations World Sustainable

United Nations World Sustainable

I SB N : 978- 92-3-10038 3-7

T h e d e s i gn a tions em ployed a n d th e presen tati on of materi al th rough out th i s p ub l i c ati on d o n ot i mp l y t h e

T h e co py ri g hts of th e ph otos a n d im a g es p resen ted i n th i s H an d b ook are i n d i c ated b el ow ea ch i ma ge.

Au t h o r Ch an tal Con n augh ton , U N ESCO

Wo rl d H e ri ta g e Volunteers Initia tive coordi n ati n g par tn ers

Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS)

U N ESCO World Herita g e Centre coordina ti on

Petya Totch arova

Cove r d e s i g n L a eti ti a Sauva get

G ra p h i c s Ph i l i p p e L auby / L a eti ti a Sauva get

Pro o f rea d i n g a n d Copy- editin g Jul i e Wi cken d en

Cove r p h o to Mosi - oa-Tunya / Vi c tori a Fal l s © Fran cesco Vol p i n i / CCIVS

T h i s b o o k is publish ed w ith th e g en erous sup p or t of th e Govern m en t of H un gar y, an d th e organ i zati ons

Wi t h s p e c i a l tha nks to a ll th e volunteer o rgan i zati on s, l oc al an d i n tern ati on al vol un teers an d l oc al

How to get involved? 018

Financial contribution 020

World Heritage Volunteers and the Sustainable Development Goals 022

World Heritage Volunteers project overviews 2008–2017 24

Projects by region 044

Botswana Okavango Delta 050

Cabo Verde Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande 052

Côte d’Ivoire Comoé National Park 053

Madagascar Rainforests of the Atsinanana 059

Malawi Lake Malawi National Park 060

Mali Old Towns of Djenné 061

Nigeria Oke Idanre (Idanre Hill) 062

Togo Agglomération Aného-Glidji 064

Uganda Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 067

Zambia Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls 070

Zimbabwe Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls 072

Bahrain Qal’at al-Bahrain – Ancient Harbour and Capital of Dilmun 080

Egypt Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis 082

Morocco Archaeological Site of Volubilis 085

Palestine Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town 089

Qatar Al Zubarah Archaeological Site 093

Sudan Dinder National Park 094

Tunisia Amphitheatre of El Jem 096

Asia and the Pacif ic

Bangladesh Lalbagh Fort 0106

Cambodia Angkor 0107

China Ancient City of Ping Yao 0108

India Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area 0 116

Indonesia Borobudur Temple Compounds 0 124

Nepal Kathmandu Valley 0 132

Philippines Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras 0 135

Thailand Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex 0 142

Europe and North America

Albania Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra 0154

Armenia Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archeological

Austria Hallstatt-Dachstein / Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape 0157

Belgium Major Mining Sites of Wallonia 0159

Estonia Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn 0162

Finland Fortress of Suomenlinna 0164

France Arsenal de Rochefort et fortifications de l'estuaire de la Charente 0165

Germany Classical Weimar 0169

Iceland Þingvellir National Park 0172