AFRICA 2009 is a twelve-year capacity building programme launched in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in 1998. It is rooted in the notion that the problems facing conservation in Africa must be addressed not only through technical solutions, but also through better taking into account the relationship between the immovable cultural heritage and its social, environmental and economical aspects.

Over the 12 years of the programme, capacity in the region has greatly been increased through training courses, workshops, seminars and site projects carried out at regional and national levels (more than 300 heritage professionals trained and over 35 heritage sites addressed). The network of heritage professionals in regular contact with each other has also increased, and may be one of the most important lasting impacts of the programme.

In 2008, a Needs Assessment survey was carried out amongst the national heritage institutions in sub-Saharan Africa to determine the need for a new programme based in Africa to succeed AFRICA 2009 and sustain the results of Africa 2009. The nature of the new programme, how it should be operated, and the key actors will be determined through design seminars planned for 2009.

December 2009 will mark the end of the programme, but there will be need for a winding down phase from January to June 2010. Activities of this phase will include preparing the final reports and financial statements for the programme as well as carrying out a final financial audit. In addition, as has taken place at the end of each phase of AFRICA 2009, an external evaluation will be carried out to determine the impacts of the programme as measured through the indicators laid out in the programme document for the final phase (using the logical framework approach). Efforts will also be made to bring together the achievements and lessons learned from AFRICA 2009 for use in other ICCROM programmes and activities.

As agreed with the financial partners of the programme, the expenditures for the six months in 2010 will be financed with funds carried over from the 2008–9 biennium.

updated on: 29 December, 2009