UNDP/Spain MDG Achievement Fund
The Dahshur World Heritage Site
Mobilization of Cultural Heritage for
Community Development
Programme Objective
Support the efforts of the GOE in the preservation
of Cultural heritage and natural resources, and in
sustainable community development.
This is in line with the UNDAF focus on reduction
of human development disparities, with special
reference to the gender gap and environmental
responsibilities.
Project Outcomes:
1-Employment of youth and women in
heritage arts tourism and creative
industries increased.
2-Institutional capacity to manage cultural
heritage and natural resources
increased.
3-Cultural understanding and cross
cultural exchanges promoted
UN partners:
1-UNWTO: works on the tourism
component promoting rural and eco
tourism bringing international best
practices and linking the project to the
sustainable National Tourism
Development Plan.
2-UNESCO:
UNESCO focuses on the conservation and
preservation of cultural heritage activities
associated with Dahshour.
3-ILO:
Provides training and skills development
and introduces local economic
development.
4-UNIDO:
UNIDO provides capacity building to
entrepreneurs, approaches, methodologies and
tools to to creative industries for the
development and growth of small enterprises
and traditional agro based products.
5-UNDP:
The focus of UNDP is providing financial and
non financial services to new and existing MSE
to increase income and generate jobs.
Environmental management of the natural
resources. Act as lead agency ensuring
synergetic implementation of the project.
Government Partners:
The project will be led implemented and coordinated by
the government of Egypt represented in the different
government counterparts each in its relevant area:
1-Ministry of Tourism
2-Supreme Council of Antiquities
3-CULTNAT
4-Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency
5-Industrial Modernization Center
Other stakeholders:
Relevant fair trade, business development and cultural
heritage NGOs, Social Fund for Development ,
governorate of Giza, private sector companies.
Expected results: A unique World Heritage Site
management plan developed and cultural and natural
resources preserved.
Responsible eco tourism and rural tourism developed
increasing national income.
SMEs created in the Dahshour community increasing
income and job opportunities.
Cultural awareness and appreciation increased within the
community and nationally.
Management and Coordination Arrangements:
-Steering Committee: RC (chair), Spanish Embassy,
MOIC, MOFA: semi annual and annual guidance and
follow up.
-Programme Management Committee: UNDP (lead, UN
agencies, government partners) quarterly management
and supervision .
-Management and coordination team: implementation of
project activities.
-Advisory Board: guidance from national experts.
Project Budget: grand total : 3,610,180 USD
ILO:
UNDP:
UNESCO:
UNIDO:
UNWTO:
Operational Strategy
An operational strategy to ensure successful sequencing
and integration of the broad range of programme activities
include: The project begins with an inception phase where
a detailed study and a community assessment will be
performed, among many activities , the following will be
implemented
- Preparation of a GIS database of community and visitor
attractions.
- Preparation of an Integrated Community-based Heritage
Development Action Plan.
- Implementation of training programme
- Provision of loans, technical advice and support for
M/SMES.
- Facilitation of the establishment of a Community Heritage
Development Centre.
Project Significance
- The programme encapsulates an innovative
approach to culture and development by
engaging communities as beneficiaries and
guardians of heritage. This will not only have
unprecedented economic gains, but also the
basis of human development for long-term
sustainability of efforts to alleviate poverty.
- By promoting cross-cultural understanding and
awareness among local communities of their
heritage the programme will instil a sense of
empowerment and belonging instead of
regarding heritage as a commodity for tourists
with no cultural value or meaning.