AFRICAN WORLD HERITAGE YOUTH INITIATIVE · INITIATIVE AFRICAINE DES JEUNES POUR LE PATRIMOINE MONDIAL

Africa's Heritage.
Youth's Present and Future.

Empowering young Africans to discover, protect, and celebrate the world heritage that belongs to them — through education, advocacy, and community action across the continent.

Rooted in Heritage. Driven by Youth. Built for Africa.

Vision Statement

A future and present where African youth are empowered to lead inclusive, innovative, and sustainable conservation of cultural and natural heritage.

Mission Statement

To strengthen the capacity and leadership of African youth in the heritage sector by creating accessible peer learning platforms, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange, and supporting practical engagement in cultural and natural heritage conservation.

Through training programmes, mentorship, networking opportunities, and community-based initiatives, AWHYI contributes to inclusive heritage governance, sustainable development, and locally driven heritage solutions across Africa.

"When young Africans are connected to their heritage — through knowledge, lived experience, and active participation — they become its most powerful custodians."

AWHYI Mission Statement

Africa is home to over 100 UNESCO World Heritage Sites — ancient cities, sacred forests, extraordinary landscapes. Yet a profound gap exists between this heritage and the young people who are its rightful owners. AWHYI exists to close that gap.

Ways We Create Change

AWHYI equips and connects young people across Africa through initiatives that strengthen knowledge, leadership, and practical engagement in heritage.

Capacity Building & Learning

We deliver accessible training programmes, workshops, and peer learning opportunities that support skills development in heritage conservation, management, and community engagement.

Youth Leadership & Networking

We convene dialogues, mentorship opportunities, and professional exchange spaces that empower youth to grow as leaders and active contributors in the heritage sector.

Knowledge Exchange & Research

We facilitate regional collaboration, documentation, and sharing of experiences that strengthen African-led knowledge production and heritage discourse.

Community Engagement & Heritage Action

We encourage youth-led initiatives that connect heritage protection with local development, social inclusion, and environmental resilience.

Partnerships & Collaboration

We build relationships with institutions, organizations, and professionals to expand opportunities for youth participation and collective impact across the continent.

Protect What's Ours

The most powerful conservation happens when communities own it. We support young Africans to design and lead real heritageprojects in their own communities; from documentation and storytelling to advocavy, comservation, and grassroots education that reaches where they live.

OUR VALUES

Youth Leadership

We recognize young people as key actors in shaping the present and future of heritage.

Inclusivity

We promote equitable access to opportunities across diverse regions and backgrounds.

Collaboration

We believe collective learning and partnerships strengthen impact.

Innovation

We support creative responses to emerging heritage challenges.

Cultural Diversity

We celebrate Africa’s rich heritage landscapes and knowledge systems.

Sustainability

We encourage approaches that support long-term community and environmental resilience.

“When young Africans are connected to their heritage: through knowledge, lived experience, and active participation, they become its most powerful custodians.”

01 — OUR MISSION

Safeguarding Africa's Heritage Through Youth

AWHYI empowers young Africans aged 18–35 to become active custodians and advocates of Africa’s World Heritage. We do this through structured learning, mentorship, and youth-led action.

Target Audience: Young People 18–35

02 — PROGRAMMES

What We Offer

Four programme tracks, one mission. Whether you’re 12 or 28, a student or a community worker, a creative or an advocate — there’s a place for you in the AWHYI movement.

Heritage Explorers

Interactive workshops, virtual site visits, and storytelling projects that bring Africa’s World Heritage alive for younger learners. Delivered in schools and community settings in English and French.

Youth Heritage Ambassadors

Our flagship three-phase programme. Complete Heritage Literacy, Community Engagement, and Heritage Action modules via the AWHYI learning platform. Graduate with a certified Heritage Literacy Certificate and join a pan-African network of youth advocates.

Digital Heritage Lab

Photography. Podcasting. 3D documentation. Storytelling. The Digital Heritage Lab equips young people with the creative and technical skills to document, share, and reimagine their heritage for the world. Youth-created content published across AWHYI platforms.

Community Heritage Action

For communities living alongside World Heritage Sites. We work directly with local young people, facilitators, and elders to design and deliver heritage stewardship projects that are community-owned from day one — not externally prescribed.

Ready to Shape Tomorrow?

Join the AWHYI community of young African heritage leaders.

Africa's Heritage. Youth's Present and Future.