Involving communities and indigenous people in the management of the Precolumbian Chiefdom Settlements

Objectives

1. Enhance the role of the local communities in the protection and management of the Precolumbian Chiefdom Settlements with Stone Spheres of the Diquís;
2. To understand the expectations of the local communities and indigenous people regarding future development of the property and ensure their involvement in addressing the impacts of development (indicators);
3. Promote dialogue between the various stakeholders from the regional and local government and the local communities involved in the management and conservation of the property in order to develop the necessary mechanisms for their inclusion;
4. Promote strategic partnerships among the communities involved, the different levels of government, the private sector and other stakeholders of the civil society to generate funding that will benefit communities and contribute to the conservation of heritage;
5. Develop management mechanisms focusing on successful practices related to the participation of the community and indigenous people that ensures the sustainable conservation of the property and the protection of the interests of the local communities and indigenous people;
6. Establish a mechanism to periodically communicate and exchange, with the local communities and indigenous people, on projects and regulations regarding the property in order to fully involve them in the decision making process

 Relevance

The project is grounded in the local context following inscription of the property on the World Heritage List and the complex dynamics raised by this inscription as experienced by the communities living in the property or its surroundings. In this sense, all project activities are geared toward the aim of achieving a deeper understanding of the right and duties provided by the World Heritage Convention, as well as building capacities for meaningful engagement of the communities involved with these dynamics.

The conservation and management of World Heritage properties require the increasing involvement of the local communities and the joint effort of the civil society and all stakeholders (associations, independent groups, etc). The project will provide expertise and tools to stakeholders and policy makers to consider the point of view from the local communities and indigenous people when developing the management tools, regulations and development projects for the property.

In the framework of the elaboration of the PARALC 2014-2024, all the States Parties showed full commitment on the implementation of its objectives. Therefore, there is a real opportunity to strengthen the participation and social inclusion of local communities in the decision-making processes for the management of World Heritage properties in the region.

 Budget

An estimated overall extra-budgetary funding of US$ 100,000 is needed for the implementation of this project.

These funds will cover consultants’ fees, national technical coordinator, travel and accommodation expenses, communications, joint report production, as well as translation in the two official languages of the Convention, design and printing of the appropriate information material.