Context
AfriCAP 2016 is a three-year initiative funded by the European Union under the ACPCultures+ programme. AfriCAP 2016 aims to strengthen synergies and operational capacities amongst decision-makers and professionals in the field of cultural heritage in French-speaking Africa, with a view to consolidating the contribution of cultural heritage to development.
Africa possesses a rich cultural heritage, yet few initiatives are being undertaken to build development on this potential. By addressing the key question of what tools need to be developed to make better use of this heritage, the AfriCAP2016 programme focuses on:
- the management and promotion of immovable, movable and intangible heritage;
- capacity-building for project owners and project managers;
- networking amongst stakeholders.
Objectives
The municipality of Nikki, with its royal city, is a major centre for the expression of Benin’s cultural diversity, which, every year for over seven centuries, reaches its peak during the great Gaani festival. More than 150,000 people, half of whom come from neighbouring municipalities and neighbouring countries, take part in this event. Building on this genuine enthusiasm for local culture, the municipality of Nikki wishes to develop activities to complement this major festival in order to boost economic benefits, strengthen the preservation of Baatonu culture and promote the fulfilment and cohesion of the local communities.
Results
Axis 1. Project based in Nikki, Benin, on ‘Heritage enhancement and an income-generating system for its conservation’
- Documentation and assessment of the heritage during the traditional Gaani festival;
- A local council decree on protection and the physical demarcation of the sites;
- Improvement of the state of conservation of the heritage at four sites;
- Identification of cultural and tourism potential;
- Production of promotional material (600 printed leaflets, 1 exhibition, 1 poster);
- 4 tourist itineraries:
- Establishment of the Nikki Association of Professional Guides (AGPN);
- Training of 16 guides;
Axis 2. Strengthening the operational capacities of decision-makers and stakeholders in the cultural heritage sector
- 2 multi-stakeholder workshops bringing together 23 decision-makers from Benin and Mali, trained in the
sustainable promotion of heritage. - 2 training camps bringing together 17 heritage stakeholders from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Mauritania
and Togo, trained in the sustainable promotion of heritage.
Axis 3: Networking among stakeholders
Stakeholder meetings and exchanges during the project have enabled the creation of synergies between the project’s target groups and beneficiaries. These synergies are reinforced by the launch of a website, which facilitates ongoing discussions, advice and the exchange of expertise.
Partners
AIMF, the African Heritage School, Les Grands Ateliers and the municipality of Nikki in Benin
Resources
For further information, download the presentation flyer.
