Why is a need to create an Arab Network of CSOs to Safeguard Cultural Heritage?
Since the end of the twentieth century, great attention has been paid to studying the concept of civil society in heritage management. There has been a lot of research that focused on the participation of civil society in the management of cultural heritage and the role that links it with national heritage bodies and institutions. This research has confirmed that the participation of civil society in the management of cultural heritage is essential and that the integration of civil society with heritage management is considered the best tool for heritage protection. All studies confirm that it is important to give civil society the ability to participate in all matters relating to the management of cultural heritage.
Cultural heritage is an effective tool in fostering a sense of pride and belonging and sharing it with the local community is as important as preserving it. Civil society’s participation, through local communities in managing cultural heritage, is an essential component of human rights in the society. It is impossible to separate people’s cultural heritage from the people themselves and their rights. Civil society is always able to carry out activities independently of government influence and can bridge many gaps in the work that government agencies cannot undertake, where its role is complementary to the work of government institutions, but clearly irreplaceable.
The MENA region has suffered from many conflicts and disputes, which have had catastrophic consequences for the population. This has led to an unprecedented instability in the regions that contain historic sites of global importance. These conflicts have led to massive damage to the heritage of these countries, a loss of cultural heritage and relics of historical value to all human kind. In addition, these damages caused an economic catastrophe for thousands of families who relied on heritage for their livelihood.
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The "Rafekatuna Organization" established in 2022 as a local, non-governmental, non-profit organization based in northeast Syria (Raqqa). The organization is dedicated to protecting both tangible and intangible cultural heritage in northern and eastern Syria, preserving historical sites and heritage houses, and documenting intangible heritage such as traditional crafts, customs, traditions, and oral history. Target groups all local communities in northern and eastern Syria, archaeological sites and historical houses, traditional artisans, and custodians of intangible heritage.
Key projects and services provided by the organization include:
• Implementing emergency rescue projects for archaeological sites
• Restoring and rehabilitating historical houses
• Building and strengthening capacities for cultural heritage protection
• Organizing community awareness campaigns on the importance of heritage preservation
• Major projects undertaken by the organization include:
• Emergency interventions at five archaeological sites in Raqqa (Bab Baghdad, Raqqa Ancient Wall, Qasr Al-Banat, the Old Abbasid Mosque)
• Capacity building project for cultural heritage protection (restoration and rehabilitation of three historical houses)
• Raqqa Digital Museum project for intangible heritage
• Rehabilitation of the German Mission House at the Tell Bi'a archaeological site
• Damage removal at Tell Bi'a (cleaning tunnels, removing waste, repairing pits)
• Organizing community awareness campaigns for the preservation of both tangible and intangible heritage.
The "Friends of syrian Museums and Archaeological Sites Association" a cultural, scientific, and recreational association concerned with Syrian cultural heritage. It operates under the slogan “An aware society for the protection of human heritage.” The association is based in Damascus and has been licensed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor since 2020.
The “Sour Association” is a specialized, scientific, and academic non-profit association concerned with both tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Its activities cover all areas of the Syrian Arab Republic. Its objectives are:
• Preserving Syrian cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, and raising local community awareness of its importance.
• Supporting the education and training of scientific and technical personnel, and promoting innovation and technology in heritage preservation.
• Contributing to the development of housing and infrastructure.
• Linking heritage to sustainable development as a living heritage.
• Enhancing local and international cooperation and the exchange of expertise.
The "Orient Association for the Protection of Syrian Heritage" a non-profit civil association working in the field of protecting Syrian cultural heritage (both tangible and intangible). It was established in Syria during the crisis in 2020 and is based in the city of Qamishli. Its members consist of a group of heritage specialists, including archaeologists and engineers, as well as local experts. The primary aim of the association is to protect Syrian heritage, and it operates in various regions.
Main Activities:
• Emergency interventions (restorations) at the archaeological site of Tell Beydar in Al-Jazira.
• Maintenance of artifact storage facilities in Al-Jazira.
• Documentation of a collection of artifacts belonging to the houses of missions operating in northern and eastern Syria before the crisis, and preparing a database for them.
• Documentation and preservation of a collection of artifacts in Manbij, and preparing a database for them.
• Maintenance and preservation of a collection of mosaic panels in Al-Jazira.
• Maintenance and restoration of Herqla storage facilities in Raqqa.
• Documentation and preservation of a collection of mosaic panels in Raqqa, and preparing a database for them.
• Conducting awareness activities in Raqqa and Al-Jazira (lectures, brochures, training workshops).
• Documentation of a number of archaeological sites in the Khabur Basin.
• Currently carrying out emergency interventions at Qal'at Najm (Najm Castle).
By 2012, the Directorate-General of Antiquities & Museums (DGAM) was unable to intervene in many archaeological sites, especially in Idleb, southern and western parts of Aleppo, and the northern part of Hama. Many DGAM employees in those areas were no longer under the remit of the Syrian government and this urgent need to act during the conflict was the main reason for creating the Syrian Center for Cultural Heritage Protection. A group of volunteers comprising former employees of the DGAM founded the center as an alternative institution. The actions taken by the Syrian Center for Cultural Heritage during the conflict include documenting smuggled antiquities, documentation of damaged and destroyed sites, awareness-raising actions in the local communities and first aid and emergency measures at different sites.
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The Center works independently, without any political affiliation to any group, and has been cooperating with several international heritage organizations. Heritage for Peace has supported them through training programs in Damage Assessment (Heritage For Peace, 2014), and the on-going development of the SHELTr training program in 2018 (Gerda Henkel Stiftung 2016). The Center also received support from the SHOSI Initiative (Safeguarding the Heritage of Syria and Iraq), which is a consortium of several institutions and local Syrians, activists, archaeologists, and museum staff - (including some members of the Antiquities Center in Free Idlib). It organized an emergency workshop providing the participants with basic supplies for packing and securing museum collections. In May, the museum was hit in an airstrike, but the protection measures they implemented protected them. The project’s in-country team conducted a systematic looting documentation and applied emergency protection to most endangered structures.
ACNES was established by Kurdish authorities in the autonomous region Rojava, in North and East Syria. Its previous name in 2014 was the Authority of Culture and Protection of Antiquities in al Jazira Canton but later in 2018 changed to the current name The Authority of Culture in Self-Management in North and East Syria (ACNES). Since the start of the conflict in 2011, all 20 missions that were active in the province left the country. The absence of security in the region led to looting, illegal excavation, and vandalism, and some archaeological sites became places of combat between the Islamic State and the Kurdish military groups. The need to act and to protect archaeological sites led to the creation of this Authority as a civil society organization. The team includes fifteen archaeologists, five architects, one Journalist and 20 archaeological sites guards, who are independent from the Syrian Democratic Forces.
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A civil society, non-profit, non-governmental organization founded on 1/7/2017 to support developmental stability and support societal stability in accordance with the values of humanitarian work and work to revive and protect heritage (tangible, intangible and cultural) to preserve it and contribute to the restoration of social stability, which helps revive the societal memory of societies emerging from war and contribute to reviving heritage in the region due to the important role that heritage plays in Social reconstruction, re-feeling of identity and belonging, achieving reconciliation in societies emerging from conflict, community cohesion and peace building.
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"(YETIM SULTAN HAYIR İŞLERİ DERNEĞİ) is a non-profit and neutral organization whose mission is to support the affected Syrian people by the war such as orphans, poor, and any helpless. The Foundation also seeks to support projects concerned with the Syrian cultural heritage and the preservation of it.
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The "Mosul Heritage Foundation for Culture and Development" emerged from the challenging period experienced by the city of Mosul in 2017, during what is considered the second-longest war in modern history, lasting 901 days of battles against terrorist organizations. From its inception, the foundation has been committed to preserving the cultural heritage of Nineveh and Iraq, fulfilling its ethical duty by drawing on the city’s rich legacy of civilization, thought, and human heritage. Its mission aligns with global efforts to document, protect, and share the history and heritage of Nineveh.
Main objectives of the foundation include:
• Rescuing, documenting, and sharing the cultural heritage of Nineveh and Iraq with the world
• Empowering individuals interested in culture and heritage to foster safe, cohesive cities and sustainable communities
• Contributing to the revitalization of local and international tourism in Nineveh and other historic Iraqi cities
• Educating the local community and raising awareness about cultural heritage, emphasizing its role in identity and belonging
• Developing the expertise of specialists in this field to support sustainable cities and communities.
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The "Lamassu Cultural Organization" is a non-governmental organization officially registered in 2025 with the Directorate of Organizations/General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers in Iraq (registration certificate No. 1BC2502007, dated 05/02/2025). Launched as an archaeological-cultural initiative in 2022, Lamassu brings together a professional team of archaeology graduates dedicated to preserving Iraq’s cultural heritage, with a particular focus on the Nineveh Governorate. The organization serves as a specialized cadre contributing to the revival of Nineveh’s heritage following its devastation, and includes members of diverse ages, backgrounds, and genders, all trained and equipped for this responsibility.
Operating on a voluntary basis, Lamassu collaborates with local partners-organizations, institutions, and academic figures-to implement a variety of activities and initiatives aimed at preserving cultural heritage and raising public awareness to support its development and sustainability.
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The "Baytna Foundation for Culture, Arts, and Heritage" is a pioneering youth-led initiative dedicated to embracing heritage and revitalizing the Old City of Mosul. Established in 2018, Baytna is the first project of its kind in Iraq to transform a historic house into a cultural center and private museum, capturing international media attention and serving as a model for supporting cultural tourism in Mosul. Located in the heart of the Old City, directly across from Al-Nuri Mosque (Al-Hadba Minaret), the foundation operates from a traditional Mosuli house over a century old. Baytna is officially registered with the Directorate of Non-Governmental Organizations and was founded by young Mosulis who believe in the power of culture and the arts to build cohesive and diverse communities.
Baytna aims to enrich Mosul’s cultural vision through initiatives focused on developing the arts, reviving heritage, and fostering creativity, all within a framework of social responsibility. The foundation strives to correct the city’s image, which was distorted by terrorism and extremism, and to highlight its rich tangible and intangible heritage.
Key projects and components include:
• The Mosuli Heritage Museum: Documenting traditional Mosuli life in all its aspects
• Bashtabya Folk Arts Troupe: Reviving local music and folkloric dances
• Mosul Tourist Bus: A unique initiative introducing visitors to the city’s history and monuments
• Multi-purpose spaces within the Mosuli house: Dedicated to cultural activities, exhibitions, and workshops
• The foundation has participated in:
• The opening ceremony of the “Gulf 25” tournament in Basra
• International Youth Day Conference
• Mosul Spring Festival
• International Peace Festival (six editions)
• Activities in displacement camps in the Kurdistan Region
• Dozens of events across various Iraqi cities
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The "Akhfad Al-Sumerians Team" is a volunteer group established in Iraq in 2021. The team is dedicated to reviving Iraqi heritage and the civilization of Mesopotamia by highlighting the achievements of ancient Iraqi civilizations—including the Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, and Assyrian—through various cultural activities. Their work focuses on preserving archaeological sites by organizing cleaning campaigns and raising awareness about their significance, as well as reviving authentic Iraqi traditions and arts, such as cuneiform writing and traditional music.
Akhfad Al-Sumerians Team is also committed to promoting volunteerism and community initiatives. The team encourages youth participation in voluntary service and cultural activities, organizes developmental campaigns in education, environment, and relief to support those in need, and builds an active volunteer network across different Iraqi provinces.
Supporting education and community awareness is another key pillar of the team’s mission. They conduct awareness workshops on Iraq’s history and civilization for both children and adults, and work to combat ignorance or distortion of Iraq’s historical legacy. The team also seeks to strengthen national identity and belonging by highlighting the unity of Iraqi heritage, celebrating national historical occasions such as the Babylonian Akitu festivals, and documenting and sharing heritage stories through modern media formats like videos and infographics.
Collaboration with both local and international entities is central to the team’s approach. Akhfad Al-Sumerians builds partnerships with governmental institutions such as the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities, engages with international organizations interested in heritage, and participates in global conferences to showcase the achievements of Iraqi civilization.
The team targets the entire community and has carried out a wide range of activities, which are documented on their official page. These include awareness campaigns, field training workshops, documentation of archaeological sites, and tree-planting and cleaning campaigns at heritage locations.
Among their notable projects is the "Our Roots, Our Identity" program, which reflects their ongoing commitment to heritage preservation and community engagement.
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Living Mesopotamia (LM) is a newly established Iraqi NGO whose goals are to promote and protect Iraq’s historically rich heritage. Rehabilitating Iraq’s severely degraded cultural infrastructure is a key concern of LM’s work.
LM focuses on the sustainable development and cultural continuity of heritage that has bore the brunt of decades of war and conflict. Our activities criss-cross complex and fragmented political and cultural geographies and communities. We work with various cultural groups of different backgrounds to ensure that culture is used for building peace rather than to marginalise and disenfranchise constituencies and whole-group communities.
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Marine Science center (MSC) is a scientific research institution at the University of Basra. In addition to studying the water bodies including the marshes, lakes, rivers, coastal areas, and the Persian/Arabian Gulf, the MSC is also interested in studying the ancient and recent environments and heritage of the Mesopotamian region, in particular, investigations of the environmental and social evolution happening in the heritage of southern marshes. Several works have been done related to the assessment of the environmental and human impacts on the local communities living there, attempting to find useful applicable solutions for a better life with maintaining their own heritage, bringing awareness to these people on the importance of the marsh legacy, and encouraging them to protect their archeological heritage and traditional living patterns specifically after the liberation in 2003 and the conflicts.
It is a non-governmental organization established as a neutral organization to build the capabilities of Iraqi youth. The organization seeks to achieve its goals by developing courses in leadership skills and abilities, holding seminars and conferences on human rights and democracy for all levels of society, orgizing workshops to reject all forms of violence in all areas of life. It also organizes cultural and artistic events and festivals that aim to spread national reconciliation to all components and segments of Iraqi society. The orgaization have coordinated with activist organization to inviolve their employees in training sessions to gain skills and knowledge, within and outside Iraq,
and have partnered with youth organizations and organizations of civil society on regional and international conferences and humanitarian and cultural projects,
The organization is a non- governmental organization that takes care of students and talented people, develops their skills and cares for them. The organization has worked in southern Iraq over the past years to support handicraft owners and has also allocated funds to hold exhibitions to market their products. The organization also obtained a grant from the Global Heritage Fund in coordination with the EAMENA project to assess threats to archaeological sites in Dhi Qar Governorate, southern Iraq. The main objectives of the organization are working to raise the standard of living for the needy of the local community with the help of donor organizations, cooperating for sustainable, human, social and economic development through heritage, giving priority to education as an effective tool for development and supporting and adopting ideas aimed at spreading archaeological and heritage awareness in Iraq.
The Organization is interested in the protecting of cultural heritage and antiquities in Iraq. Since its creation in late 2016, by archaeologists working in the preservation of antiquities and heritage, on the field, or in the Iraqi Museum, and even before getting official representation, it has organized trips to the ancient cities of Mesopotamia for hundreds of people interested in archeology, who care about history and civilization. The trips included lectures to demonstrate the importance of those sites in contributing to increasing cultural awareness in society. It also organized exhibitions of traditional crafts in Baghdad and contributed to sending books to libraries that were burned by ISIS.
"The Inspectorate of Antiquities and Heritage of Anbar is a government institution concerned with the protection, excavation, restoration, maintenance and archaeological survey of all archaeological sites in Anbar provinces in the Republic of Iraq. It also supervises the display of its antiquities in two museums located within the geographical area of the governorate, in addition to instituting juridcal claims against persons who have caused any harm.
Some of the objectives of the Inspectorate are to strengthen the protection of all kinds of cultural heritage in the province in times of conflict and times of peace, document the damages to archaeological and heritage sites, museums, buildings and monuments, develop protection plans and rescue excavations for high-risk and endangered sites, hold public seminars for citizens to introduce the importance of cultural heritage and the need to preserve it.
and finally to communicate regularly with local governments,"
"Heritage and Antiquities Office of Diwaniyah Province is a governmental that has been established in 1970 and consists of 20 archaeologists, 300 site guards, 30 drivers, 5 administrators, and 4 accountants. The main
duty of the office, in general, is to cover all works related to cultural and archaeological heritage and museums in the Diwaniyah Governorate.It also works to protect all archaeological sites in the region from any threatening actions and to preserve these sites and their maintenance. Excavations, surveys and documentation were conducted by the office in more than 780 archaeological sites in different places in the governorate, and accordingly, many maps, reports and publications were published.
The office works hard to convey the historical and cultural information about the civilization of the country by supporting the archeological heritages and museums."
"Dilnewa is a non-governmental, non-political and non-profit social and cultural organization. It was founded
in the heart of economic and ISIS crisis that faced the Kurdistan Region and Iraq in April 2015.The idea arose out of the massive humanitarian crisis in which nearly two million refugees and internally displaced persons were forced to migrate from outside and inside Iraq. It also aims to help the needy in Iraq and all over the world without regard for religious, ethnic or linguistic bias. It works to enhance the capabilities of the individuals to take advantage of the available youth power and try to direct them towards endeavors that are more beneficial by organizing various events and activities.
Dilnewa is working in different sectors with different activities including Education, Health, Social Sector and
Cultural Sector."
"The foundation has several committees for human rights levels. The "" General Committee for Heritage
and Archeological Protection"" is the committee specialized in everything related to heritage, antiquities and protection issues, as a result of the weak security situation in the province (Alnajaf) and all the
country for the last seventeen years. Since its foundation in 2015, the
committee has been working to protect heritage and antiquitiesl on two levels; First, the committee
cooperates with governmental security centers in the province to monitor any suspicious behavior
towards heritage and archeological affairs. Second, it works with civic centers such as universities, institutions and organizations that deal with issues of heritage and antiquities. Therefore, the committee has many contributions in this field."
"It is clear to everyone that government offices have a heavy duty with regard to issues of heritage and antiquities at all levels, and with the weak security situation in Iraq, the responsibility towards preserving historical sites in the region increases more and more. The Nebuchadnezzar Museum Office is located in the center of the ancient city of Babylon (in Mesopotamia), which is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world; therefore it needs to cover the area with guards and security system. Moreover, tourists must be monitored and escorted to prevent any handling of museum items.
The office's responsibility is to protect all areas and tourists and prevent from all types of
dangers and crises. "
The Tripolitanian Society, formed in 2011, consists of a network of civil society organizations (Tripoli Heritage Foundation, Origin Tripoli Forum, Tripoli National Rally, Communication Group, Tripoli National Conference, Libya Organization, Libya Forum, and Atwar Organization for Research and Development).
The network has collaborated on projects related to the sustainable development goals and is currently working on an environmental project, consisting of conducting a study and creating a waste management plan in Tripoli. The network partners are also working on a study to implement a solution around Tripoli with particular focus on the old city as a step towards its preservation.
The "Ghadames Association for Heritage and Manuscripts" was established in 2013 as a non-profit civil association based in Ghadames, Libya. The association aims to participate in the preservation and maintenance of both tangible and intangible heritage, in line with Libya’s commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage. The initiative seeks to strengthen partnerships with relevant institutions, support researchers and students, and contribute to the documentation, conservation, and promotion of Libya’s rich historical legacy.
Key projects implemented by the association include:
• Participating in scientific seminars and conferences inside and outside Libya, most recently presenting a working paper at a United Nations-sponsored event in Paris in 2025
• Organizing exhibitions of Quranic manuscripts in collaboration with local institutions, displaying copies dating back over 400 years
• Digitizing more than 600 original documents, some aged between 130 and 650 years
• Preparing and publishing rare manuscripts and converting over 25 rare books into electronic formats for free public access
• Digitizing audio tapes and producing documentary films, including a film for the 60th anniversary of Algeria’s independence and an English-language film presented in the USA in 2019
• Establishing a specialized library with rare books and providing a free internet hall for youth
• Supporting master’s and doctoral students in several countries by providing access to rare references and manuscripts
• Signing cooperation agreements with Libyan institutions to further heritage preservation efforts
Current activities include:
• Rebuilding the historic House of Judge Bin Younes in Ghadames, dating back over 300 years, with international support and supervision
• Digitizing thousands of documents and manuscripts, with the goal of reaching 100,000 documents and 1,000 manuscripts by year’s end
• Training members of the Judicial Expertise Department at the Libyan Ministry of Justice in reading ancient documents.The association also has more than ten ready heritage projects in need of support, particularly given the ongoing conflicts in Libya.[/show_more]
The "Apollonia Organization for Heritage and Culture" was established in January 2024 as a non-governmental, non-profit organization based in the city of Susa, Libya. The organization seeks to contribute to the protection and preservation of architectural and cultural heritage in the old city, focusing on documenting and classifying unregistered historical buildings and landmarks, raising awareness about the importance of historic cities and old buildings, and enhancing interest in the cultural and heritage identity of Susa and neighboring areas. Target groups include: Local communities, youth, students, researchers, heritage enthusiasts, schools and educational institutions, tourists, official bodies, and civil society organizations.
Key projects and services provided by the organization include:
• Creating a comprehensive archive for the old city of Susa
• Organizing awareness seminars and cultural festivals
• Producing documentary films in cooperation with foreign missions
• Implementing restoration projects under the supervision of specialized experts in archaeological conservation
• Submitting proposals to relevant authorities for the registration of sites with UNESCO
• Organizing exhibitions of visual arts and heritage artifacts
• Honoring international scientific figures who have contributed to highlighting the heritage of Susa.
Major projects undertaken by the organization include:
• Comprehensive documentary archive of the old city of Susa
• Documentation of the sunken archaeological city, including the world’s first underwater documentary film in collaboration with a British mission
• Documentation of sunken war relics from the two World Wars
• Restoration and conservation of the old lighthouse using specialized archaeological methods
• Restoration of the Silphium Fountain, one of the city’s most prominent landmarks
• Preparing archaeological sites according to standards for submission to UNESCO
• Honoring Dr. Nicholas Flemming and the French researcher for their scientific contributions
• Organizing cultural festivals, seminars, and art and heritage exhibitions.[/show_more]
The "Pentapolis Organization for Heritage and Culture" was established in 2024 as a non-profit civil organization based in the city of Shahat (Cyrene) in eastern Libya. The organization aims to promote Libyan heritage both locally and internationally, support researchers and relevant entities in this field, and actively contribute by all legal means to uphold and achieve these principles.Target groups all segments of the local community interested in heritage and culture.
Key projects and services provided by the organization include:
• Serving heritage and culture through organizing, supporting, and participating in volunteer activities and other initiatives
• Developing plans and proposals for the protection of antiquities and heritage, and supporting national institutions responsible for their preservation
• Proposing and implementing projects that contribute to the sustainability of antiquities and heritage, and strengthen national identity
• Organizing awareness seminars, workshops, and conferences on heritage and culture in Libya
• Encouraging community involvement and voluntary participation in activities that serve heritage and culture at all levels.
Major projects undertaken by the organization include:
• Voluntary participation in projects aimed at raising awareness of the importance of cultural heritage for future generations, especially school students, by accompanying pupils from various schools to visit archaeological sites and introducing them to their cultural value and the importance and methods of preservation
• Participation in numerous conferences, forums, seminars, and local and international discussion panels on antiquities and cultural heritage
• Publishing and translating numerous articles in local and international journals in both Arabic and English on the topics of antiquities and cultural heritage.
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This union consists of five Libyan municipalities, which are located close to the administrative borders with World Heritage Sites. They are Al-khums (Leptis Magna) Sabratha, Shahat (Cyrene) Ghadems (Cydamus) and Ghat. According to World Heritage Convention 1972, the state party is under the obligation of its protection and its management plans.
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After the decision of the World Heritage Committee to place the five World Heritage sites of Libya on the List of World Heritage in Danger because of damage caused by the conflict affecting the country and the threat of further damage it poses, five Libyan municipalities signed a document to establish the World Heritage Union in Libya. In fact, this is a response to the repeated demands by the World Heritage Committee and encouraging participation of the local population in the preservation of the heritage.
The foundation’s main goals are the preservation of Libyan World Heritage Sites and adding new sites on the world heritage list and eventually attempt to remove the Libyan world heritage sites from the list of world heritage in danger as soon as possible.
In order to achieve its mission, the foundation has been engaged in communicating with the Libyan government (department of antiquity, department of buildings and department of ancient cities) and also support and submit proposals and studies on these sites through the local authority. To ensure the protection and preservation of the ancient sites, the foundation has been holding symposia and workshops to encourage the local community to raise the cultural awareness about the importance of heritage, while cooperating with the municipal authorities.
"Atwar organization: Seeks to be a point of intellectual and awareness raising tool for
sustainable development based on social justice, democratic empowerment and cultural diversity in the
countries of the middle east and North Africa.
Its mission is to conduct research and surveys measuring opinion trends and follow up with the civil
society movement to build youth capacities, empower women and support their rights.
Balagrey is an association that works in the field of the protection of archaeological heritage.
After some citizens exposed the site of the ancient city of Balagrey to the danger of residential illegal constructions, the association led many demonstrations against the local authorities. As a result of these protests, the authorities agreed on the construction of a concrete fence around the ancient city of Balagrey, which also led to building a concrete wall around the archaeological site of Sirah Batrou, after it was attacked by some locals.
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The " Waeey Organization for Heritage and Development " a non-profit organization established in 2022, working to protect cultural and natural heritage and promote sustainable development. Our efforts focus on six main pillars: protection, documentation, awareness, advocacy, capacity building, and community engagement.
We implement projects to restore archaeological sites affected by conflicts and climate change, document Yemeni heritage, and protect the environment. We also work on building the capacities of local communities and involving them in the protection of their heritage through training programs and awareness campaigns.
We strive to achieve our vision of preserving Yemeni identity and ensuring the sustainability of its natural resources, in cooperation with local and international partners. We believe that protecting heritage is a collective responsibility that contributes to building a better future for the coming generations..[/show_more]
The "Eram Foundation for Cultural and Media Development" established on February 23, 2025. It is a non-profit development organization working in the field of cultural and media development. The foundation aims to revive and instill Yemeni identity in cultural and media awareness and in the collective consciousness of future generations. It also seeks to promote creativity and innovation in cultural and media content to produce an inspiring and motivating discourse.
Additionally, the Foundation aims to raise awareness of the diverse and rich aspects of Yemeni culture and to introduce it to the world. It works to enhance the developmental, social, and humanitarian role of both official and unofficial media by utilizing modern tools and methods. Another key focus is documenting and preserving Yemeni cultural heritage and rehabilitating what has deteriorated for various reasons. The Foundation also strives to build effective connections at local, regional, and international levels with relevant foundations and organizations.
Key Projects Implemented or Currently Underway:
• Institutional Development and Revitalization of Creative Institutions in Taiz
(Story Club – Union of Writers and Authors – Artists’ Syndicate), through training, capacity building, and skills development for their members.
• Taiz Festival “Spirit of Coffee”,
in partnership with Sorouh Foundation for Cultural and Human Development, the Yemeni Coffee Club, Coffee Guardians Organization, and Al-Bidaya Organization for Development, held on February 27, 2025.
• Taiz Eid Festival (“My Love for Her”),
in honor of the renowned Yemeni singer Karamah Marsal, in partnership with Sorouh Foundation and the Faculty of Arts, Taiz University, April 1–2, 2025.
• Book Launch: A Song for My Mother and Three Songs for the Passersby
by author Hamed Al-Faqih, in collaboration with Taiz Story Club, April 8, 2025.
• Needs Assessment and Institutional Development Workshop
for the Story Club in Taiz, April 12, 2025.
• Poetry Event: “Toward an Open Horizon – Taiz Glows with Poetry”,
held on May 12, 2025.
• Development of a dedicated database of writers and artists in Taiz city.
• Ongoing project to document folk tales, chants, and cultural heritage in Taiz Governorate.
• Eram Creative Project
for publishing and printing creative works (poetry, short stories, novels, intellectual productions), producing short films, and organizing art exhibitions for local artists.
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The "Yemeni Center for Heritage and Tourism (METS)" a non-profit civil society organization established in 2024 and based in Taiz, Yemen. The center aims to protect cultural heritage and promote sustainable tourism as tools for sustainable development.
The center works to achieve several core objectives, including documenting and preserving cultural heritage, enhancing community participation, implementing awareness and educational programs, and developing local capacities through training courses. The center’s team consists of full-time and part-time staff as well as volunteers, most of whom hold university degrees or higher education qualifications. Currently, the center seeks to strengthen its resources through international partnerships and believes in the importance of training in areas such as digital documentation, governance, and media production. It is ready to offer its services as an accredited training center for heritage professionals in Yemen and the region.
Projects undertaken:
• Providing consultancy in the field of cultural heritage protection and preservation
• Survey project of traditional dishes in Taiz Governorate
• Survey and documentation project of oral heritage in the city of Taiz
• "Ta’heel" project for training workers in tourism and hotel establishments
• Training program for qualifying tourist guides
• Organizing training workshops to enhance the skills of local staff
• "METS Meetings": a monthly program to raise awareness about Yemeni heritage protection and promote tourism .[/show_more]
The "Save Yemen Organization " a non-profit, non-governmental organization established in 2019 (License No. 1036). The organization is dedicated to providing emergency response to issues related to heritage, culture, developmental support, and humanitarian relief in accordance with humanitarian principles. Its work addresses the consequences of wars, conflicts, and disasters in Yemen, and aims to promote community development through collaboration with institutions and individuals at the local, regional, and international levels. Additionally, the organization is committed to fostering coexistence, peace, and social solidarity, always operating within the framework of applicable laws.
Objectives:
In accordance with Article (5) and pursuant to Law No. (1) of 2001 and Article (6) of Executive Regulation No. (129) of 2004, the organization seeks to achieve its goals as outlined in its founding documents.
Key projects implemented by the organization include:
• Emergency Intervention Project for the Protection of Scientific Heritage in Amran
• Preservation and Documentation Project for Public and Private Libraries in Kawkaban
• Yemeni Manuscript Protection Project in Sana’a
• Emergency Life-Saving Intervention Project in Conflict Areas of Marib.[/show_more]
The" Markaz Alakhir for Peace and Development"A civil society organization led by a team with diverse skills and capabilities, believing in youth and women as key strengths for driving towards a sustainable and inclusive state of peace and development.
The center enjoys legal personality and independent financial liability. It was established in accordance with the Law of Associations and Civil Institutions No. (1) of 2001, under Permit No. (1/M/2020) from the Office of Social Affairs and Labor, Taiz Branch.[/show_more]
This is an institution concerned with human development, tourism, heritage and archaeology. It has been working on preserving historic identities through training and awareness activities and programs. It has been adopting projects that range from restoring ancient monuments and historic houses to documenting the tangible and intangible heritage.
It strives for sustainable development and comprehensive preservation of the national identity, customs and traditions, which are derived from the historical depth of Yemen.
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The institution has organized and participated in conferences, consultative meetings and workshops, both nationally and internationally. It has been involved in documenting and publishing studies and information related to antiquities, tourism, history and heritage of the Republic of Yemen, in encouraging domestic tourism, through trips and field visits to archaeological sites, to introduce the importance of tourist and archaeological sites and monuments. It has also urged the competent and professional authorities to take care of the archaeological monuments and provide the necessary services.
Balki’s Throne Foundation’s latest projects include: an awareness raising project in the cultural and historical tourism sector to preserve the Yemeni identity; training internally displaced people in handicrafts, artisanal industries and different fields; organizing exhibitions nationally and internationally to market and promote their work; and providing courses on the importance of artefacts and the effects of illicit trafficking and illegal excavations.
"Sanid Organization is a non–governmental, non-profit and non-partisan organization that works
independently in the whole country of Yemen. Although it commenced operation as a youth initiative, it was
officially established in 2014 by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour Office . Since its establishment, the organization has implemented a variety of programs in food distribution, improvement of livelihoods, health care and treatment of malnutrition among the children under 5 years of age, pregnant and lactating women and WASH in the most of the Governorates of Yemen."
Tahdeeth Development Foundation is a non-governmental, non-profit, developmental organization that seeks, through its programs and activities, to participate in achieving sustainable development and peace building through capacity building and the promotion of rights and freedoms in society. The foundation is a pioneering institution that works on involving the local community in protecting and managing cultural heritage and enhancing the role of dialogue and openness to achieve mutual understanding between peoples and cultures.
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The Foundation has been engaged in several activities, including the implementation of an awareness campaign on the archaeological and historical sites in four governorates, where several heritage sites have been visited and the customs and traditions of the community have been documented and published on social media, to raise awareness of the importance of preserving cultural heritage diversity.
The Foundation has also participated in the organization of the Heritage Festival in the name of First People Games. The festival's goal is to establish events for historic games that were played in Aden before their disappearance. The festival was held in a public square in the old way of Aden.
The Center for Architectural Studies and Training was established to play a role in designing and implementing policies, programs and plans for preserving historical cities and protecting cultural heritage. The Center has been carrying out scientific studies and field research, setting up awareness activities on heritage preservation and capacity building training on traditional building maintenance and restoration techniques.
Among the tasks of the Center for Studies and Architectural Training is surveying and documenting all historical sites, monuments, and areas including mosques, schools, squares, spaces, bathhouses, etc.
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The Center works in the preservation of cultural heritage and traditional Yemeni crafts. It is also concerned with raising awareness on the importance of Yemeni cultural heritage by organizing capacity building workshops and training in preserving and renewing heritage.
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The Center’s most recent achievements include: the completion of a documentation book for steam baths in the Old City of Sanaa, which is an architectural, ethnographic and historical documentary study, a media brochure, a map of Yemeni saunas in the Old City of Sanaa and a tourist map in Arabic.
The Center works on reviving traditional professions in Yemen by providing technical, cultural and historical consultations for craftspersons and those interested in the field of developing Yemeni heritage. The Center cooperates with Yemeni craftspersons in the Old City of Sanaa on designing pieces of furniture inspired by Yemeni heritage and by encouraging them to display their designs. In addition, the Center organizes various events and cultural seminars on the importance of cultural heritage and its preservation with the implementation of voluntary artistic workshops for Yemeni youth and plastic artists.
"The association works on training women, girls and youth on Heritage handicrafts in order to obtain additional income for medium and low-income families. Girls and youth are trained in various activities such as sewing, traditional embroidery, henna drawing, , pottery and the making of Yemeni incents.
In addition to cultural training courses, it raises awareness of the prevention of diseases such as malaria, hepatitis, reproductive health, violence against women, child protection, and training courses on artistic work such as drawing and photography.
"Al-Hudhud Center is the first specialized cultural center in archaeological studies in Yemen, and is managed
by a number of academics and specialists in the archeology field.
Its goals are to contribute to spreading awareness, introducing Yemen's archaeological, historical and tourist heritage to
the local and international community, the conservation of antiquities and archaeological sites.
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"The foundation works in the field of cultural heritage protection and community awareness to preserve and study it. It also works in the humanitarian and relief field by focusing on women and children affairs. It objective is to spread the values of
tolerance among the members of society."
YKRB Foundation is interested in Yemeni culture and heritage and works to support culture and heritage in the Republic of Yemen by building capacities and training workers in the field of heritage, and promoting youth participation in preserving heritage and spreading awareness among members of society on the importance of heritage.
Ruaa centre for strategic studies, consultancy and training is a non-profit civic foundation concerned with preparing scientific studies and research in the political, social, economic, cultural and educational fields, in addition to consultancy and training sessions that enhance the skills of the youth and women and working on raising social awareness and responding to emergency issues. The organization works on reaching leadership in the development of human, cultural, moral, economic, political and social fields through interactions in the public and specific spaces. The foundation's mission is to make significant change in the society and respond to emergent phenomenas that affect negatively the society and attempt to deface theYemeni cultural identity.
"The Center aims at enriching the arts, disseminating heritage, supporting cultural development and preserving
the artistic cultural heritage and employing it in public life.
It works on raising public awareness and the importance of the components of the cultural heritage of the
community and building the skills and abilities in cultural and artistic heritage practices in colleges and schools.
The center also aims at employing the elements of cultural and artistic heritage to provide education and work for young people and to enhance the respect and appreciation for professionals, employing the elements of cultural and artistic heritage to promote human rights and social peace, and the ethics of peaceful coexistence, acceptance of others, and building society and carrying out awareness activities through social media."
The "Heritage Education Program e.V" was established in 2019 as a non-governmental organization, registered in both Germany and Lebanon. The initiative aims to foster heritage awareness through education among children and communities, protect and preserve cultural heritage in neglected regions worldwide, and promote collaboration, transparency, and communication in cultural heritage management. The program seeks to serve key aspects of cultural heritage protection, while empowering local communities, raising awareness, and providing administrative and advisory support to partner organizations.
Key projects implemented by the initiative include:
• Creating a network of collaboration with local authorities, municipalities, schools, children, and youth in remote villages, focusing on both tangible and intangible heritage
• Conducting hands-on, interactive workshops to raise heritage awareness
• Covering more than six regions in Lebanon and Germany through educational activities
• Partnering with Sela Training in Jordan to develop children’s animated information panels for the World Heritage Site of Petra
• Collaborating with the Lebanese Directorate General of Antiquities at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Anjar during the World Heritage Day for Monuments and Sites on April 18th
• Partnering with Häselburg e.V, a cultural center in Gera, Germany, during the Museums Night. [/show_more]
The "NAHNOO Association" was established on February 19, 2009, as a non-governmental, non-profit organization based in Lebanon. NAHNOO works towards fostering an inclusive society for all its members by defending and protecting cultural heritage, as well as safeguarding and activating public spaces throughout Lebanon. Key target groups Youth, municipalities, government bodies, the Ministry of Culture, the Directorate General of Antiquities, and the media.
Main services and programs provided by the association include:
• Conducting studies on public spaces and cultural heritage
• Empowering and training youth in advocacy skills
• Leading advocacy campaigns to protect cultural heritage
Major projects undertaken by the association include:
• "Crafts Made in Bourj Hammoud" and "Crafts Made Bourj Hammoud"
• "Our Craft, Our Identity"
• Survey of heritage buildings in Ashrafieh
• Protection of the Red House
• Campaign to halt the Fouad Boutros Highway project
• Developing tourism plans for various Lebanese villages and cities. [/show_more]
The "BILADI " is a non-governmental organization established in 2005 and based in Lebanon, dedicated to promoting cultural and natural heritage among youngsters. The organization believes that heritage is unique and irreplaceable, yet in post-conflict countries, globalization and psychological barriers have distanced young people from their roots. BILADI’s mission is to re-establish this vital link, giving youth the opportunity to learn about, cherish, and build bridges through their heritage. Target groups: Children, youth, students, educators, and local communities across Lebanon, including vulnerable and marginalized groups.
Main objectives of the organization include:
• Promoting awareness and education about Lebanon’s cultural and natural heritage among children and youth
• Reconnecting younger generations with their tangible and intangible heritage to foster a sense of identity, pride, and belonging
• Supporting social cohesion and resilience through heritage-based activities
• Advocating for the protection and preservation of heritage at local, national, and international levels
• Providing innovative and entertaining educational experiences that make heritage accessible and engaging. [/show_more]
