Income-generating activities serving local communities of Lopé and Ivindo
In the framework of the project "Creating a Sustainable Heritage Ecosystem for Socio-Economic Development in Africa", UNESCO supports local communities around two World Heritage sites in Gabon to develop a sustainable project that highlights heritage and ecotourism.
Between 11 and 15 December 2024, UNESCO conducted a consultation mission with local communities living in and around Gabon’s two World Heritage properties: the Ecosystem and Relict Cultural Landscape of Lopé-Okanda and Ivindo National Park. This initiative is part of UNESCO's project titled “Creating a Sustainable Heritage Ecosystem for Socio-Economic Development in Africa,” funded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The project aims to integrate heritage preservation into sustainable development strategies, focusing on entrepreneurship, ecotourism, and digital technology.
As part of its commitment to sustainable socio-economic development, UNESCO has launched several pilot projects to promote entrepreneurship centred on ecotourism and the interpretation of World Heritage. These initiatives primarily target young people and women, addressing themes such as new information and communication technologies (ICT), the heritage economy, income-generating activities (IGAs), and innovation. The two World Heritage sites, known for their Outstanding Universal Value, are central to consultations aimed at developing tailored solutions to meet the needs of local communities.
Consultations in Libreville : a multisectoral dialogue
Ahead of the community consultations at the two World Heritage sites, a consultative meeting was organised by the Ministry of Culture in Libreville on 10 December 2024 with UNESCO. This event also brought together public and private institutions, including the National Museum, École 241 (a digital and leadership training centre), the National Agency for National Parks (ANPN), Espace PME (a Ministry of Commerce body supporting small and medium enterprises), the Gabon Digital Incubation Society (SING), and representatives from the culture, tourism, crafts, and social economy sectors.
These discussions explored concrete opportunities around new technologies and the heritage economy, laying the groundwork for effective collaboration.
A shared goal: leveraging heritage for inclusive development
During this consultation mission, the UNESCO delegation, accompanied by the ANPN team, visited several villages surrounding, notably consultations took place in the villages of Ebyeng, Ntiété, and within Lopé-Okanda National Park. The visit highlighted challenges faced by local communities, including abandoned villages and damaged infrastructure. These once-thriving areas reflect the significant difficulties encountered by local populations in the face of recurring issues. The visit underscored the urgency of finding sustainable solutions to address these challenges. These observations will guide the development of projects that consider the complex realities on the ground. Discussions focused on community projects related to sustainable tourism, agriculture, fishing, and craft as means of favoring sustainable livelihoods and socio-economic development.
Building a sustainable future with local communities, youth, and women as change-makers
UNESCO places local communities, especially young people and women, at the centre of sustainable solutions. These actors play a key role in heritage preservation and the development of innovative economic initiatives essential for their empowerment and the prosperity of their regions.
This mission represents a critical stage in designing a project that combines heritage preservation, sustainable development, and social inclusion. It illustrates UNESCO and its partners' firm commitment to valuing Gabon’s rich natural and cultural heritage while addressing the aspirations and needs of local communities
The projects will include income-generating activities and aim to strengthen local capacities. The goal is to make heritage a driver of inclusive and sustainable development, where local communities are not just beneficiaries but also initiators and agents of change.
In this perspective, UNESCO will develop an implementation schedule and roll out a series of activities throughout 2025.