The majority of inhabitants in developing nations, particularly in rural areas, are often directly dependant on natural or cultural resources for their livelihood. The realities of everyday life and the daily struggle for existence preclude long-term and sustainable investments in the future, including the preservation of cultural or natural assets. Growing global concern over poverty has increased pressure on preservationists to find ‘win-win’ solutions for preserving cultural assets without ignoring the plight of nearby communities. For preservation projects to succeed, it is imperative to address the root social and economic factors that frame human relationships with cultural heritage sites.

Global heritage sites are threatened by a host of factors. Chief among these threats are the lack of economic opportunities for the local population. The realities of everyday life and the daily struggle for existence lead to looting, poaching, logging and slash and burn agriculture which threaten the integrity of these unique and irreplaceable cultural resources. Each time a cultural heritage site is lost, so too is a piece of humanity – and an economic opportunity. In saving these treasures, we not only restore part of our shared history but also create a safe, sustainable new industry that can lift local communities out of poverty.

To be successful, sustainable preservation must be grounded in community-based conservation. Community development seeks to empower both individuals and groups by providing them with the resources they need to effect change in their own communities by instilling local stakeholders with a vested interest in the long-term preservation of a site. Therefore GHF’s community development work aims to utilize community engagement and development to support project sustainability and thus utilize the economic value of cultural heritage sites to contribute to the development potential of local communities.

GHF Community Development Focus

Training & Capacity Building
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Conservation Training
• Guide Training
• Conferences & Workshops
• Language Training

Income & Employment Generation
• Conservation Employment
• Restaurants & Eco-lodges
• Handicraft Development
• Entrepreneurship Training & Development
• Development of local Community Based Tourism (CBT) Organization

Social Development
• Heritage & Environmental Education
• Water & Sanitation
• Waste Removal
• Social Services – Health, Education, etc.
• Social Infrastructure – Roads, Electricity, Airport, etc.

Site Development
• Community Inclusive Planning
• Guidebook Development
• Visitor Center
• Pathways, Signage & Interpretation
• Marketing and Promotion
• Visitor Management

Click here to download the GHF Technical White Paper on Sustainable Preservation.