SD-WISHEES General Assembly and Africa24 Conference

The SD-WISHEES project held its General Assembly in Mombasa, coinciding with its participation in the Africa24 conference on the Conservation of Built Heritage in Africa. This milestone event, organized in a hybrid format, brought most of the 16 project partners together in person for the first time, fostering stronger connections and paving the way for more impactful collaboration.

During the meeting, the consortium reviewed the progress of the past two years, shared updates on ongoing activities, and outlined the vision for the next phase of the project. Key discussions covered financial management, the strategic organization of upcoming events such as workshops and showcases, and innovative approaches to amplify the project’s influence.

A significant focus was placed on the technical work packages, including the launch of the TAP (read more here), which evaluates the state of the art, addresses challenges, and identifies priority projects. Updates on cultural heritage partnerships and progress on stakeholder engagement highlighted the project’s expanding reach. The consortium also explored potential funding avenues, including a COST action proposal.

Communication efforts and stakeholder feedback were central to the discussions, as partners examined project dashboards and reviewed outreach strategies. Insights into challenges related to participation in transnational research and innovation programs also led to valuable recommendations for improving inclusivity.

The event concluded with a renewed commitment to advancing the SD-WISHEES mission and leveraging partnerships to ensure sustainable outcomes for cultural heritage conservation in the nexus of water, climate, and heritage.