5TH AWHF REGIONAL YOUTH FORUM – CALL FOR APPLICATIONS 2020 (Full Funded to South Africa)

5TH AWHF REGIONAL YOUTH FORUM – CALL FOR APPLICATIONS 2020 (Full Funded to South Africa)

Applications are open for the 5th African World Heritage Youth Forum, a capacity building exercise focusing on
Youth, Entrepreneurship and Heritage Sustainability in Africa. The Forum places an emphasis on
entrepreneurship skills development towards promoting and increasing African youth participation in the
stewardship and promotion of World Heritage in Africa in a creative and innovative approach. The forum aims to:

– Empower African youth through training and mentorship that will equip them with innovative and
creative entrepreneurship skills in the field of heritage (e.g. business opportunity identification and
evaluation, business management, financial resources mobilization, financial sustainability and
innovation, entrepreneurial mindset skills, communication and networking).
– Mobilise young people and harness youth creativity and innovation in World Heritage conservation and
sustainable development efforts in Africa.
– Provide an opportune platform for the creation of networks, exchange of knowledge, sharing of
experience and success stories between and among the youth across Africa.
– Raise youth awareness and appreciation of issues and threats facing Africa’s heritage while stimulating
their involvement in entrepreneurship activities that could bring direct economic benefits to local
communities living in or around World Heritage properties in Africa.
– Gather young people from different backgrounds and encourage them to become responsible
guardians and ambassadors of World Heritage across Africa.
– Encourage youth to improve their innovation and creative capacities in developing sustainable
initiatives in their countries, which take into account the present-day issues and Aspirations of the
African Union Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

ELIGIBILITY

Thirty-five (35) young entrepreneurs from all African countries will be selected for the forum. Applicants must
fulfil all of the following requirements:
• African citizen between the ages: 18 – 35;
• Minimum requirements: a post-secondary certified training and/or qualification;
• Fluency in English (being the working language of the Forum) and ability to communicate in at least one
of the other three official languages of the African Union (French, Portuguese and Arabic);
2
• Personal attributes: motivated, active and driven individuals interested in learning how to assess the
viability, feasibility, and desirability of new business ideas while engaging in a World Heritage network
of young Africans eager to implement the outcomes of the forum in their home countries;
• Professional attributes:
o Social entrepreneurs, project holders or anyone looking to start a social enterprise in need of
assistance to implementing their projects.
o Entrepreneurs and business owners who need to find new ways to create value in the market
while championing sustainable conservation of promotion of Africa’s heritage.
o Acquainted with online media and digital platforms (social media e.g. Snapchat, Facebook,
WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, digital platforms, etc.).
o Bearers of ideas from different backgrounds and fields bringing innovative solutions to deal
with the challenges that many African countries meet in safeguarding African heritage.
Note: Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

BENEFITS

The eight-day Forum will consist of interactive oral presentations from youth participants and experts from
different fields combined with hands-on activities, group sessions and discussions, as well as guided visits to
Robben Island World Heritage site.
Participants will gain entrepreneurship knowledge and skills in business opportunity identification and
evaluation, business management, financial resources mobilization for business start-ups and/or expansion,
entrepreneurial mindset skills, communication and networking, business plan development and sustainability
of World Heritage. Participants will also benefit from mentorship and technical support from the organizers of
the Forum.
The results of the Forum will be presented on the 5th of May as part of the celebration of African World Heritage
Day and during the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee in July 2020.
The costs for the forum participation (return airfare, accommodation, meals, local transportation in South
Africa) will be covered by AWHF, ICCROM and RIM. Selected participants shall meet their own local costs in the
country of origin, as well as visa application costs to enter the Republic of South Africa.

APPLICATION

Each applicant should submit the following application package:
– The completed application form;
– A motivation letter (maximum 1 page) detailing your reasons for applying and experiences related to
entrepreneurship and heritage;
– Curriculum Vitae (2 pages maximum);
– A signed letter of recommendation from a university, organization or administrative
authority/supervisor or testimonial letter in case of individuals;
– Sixty (60) seconds video pitching and presenting the business idea/existing business.

The complete application package should be submitted at the latest on the 23 February (midnight GMT) via the
following email address: [email protected]. Late applications will be not be considered.
For any queries or problems during application process, please contact the AWHF: Dr Albino Jopela (+27 66 386
0783 and [email protected]) with copy to Ms Tshegofatso Monku ([email protected]). Please note that
applications sent directly to these emails will not be accepted, kindly send the application pack only to the
stipulated email address: [email protected]
Successful applicants will be informed by 9 March 2020 at the latest.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE AND APPLY