Fostering Inclusive Management and Community Participation: Lessons from the Field

Abstract

ABSTRACT World Monuments Fund (WMF) is a leading organization dedicated to preserving the world's most cherished cultural sites. In Latin America and the Caribbean, WMF has collaborated with local communities, funders, and governments on over 186 conservation projects since the 1980s, with a strong emphasis on local partnerships and capacity building. Recognizing the importance of community involvement, inclusive management, and diverse heritage narratives, as well as the need to foster this approach in our Latin American portfolio, recent WMF projects there aim to establish models for participatory heritage conservation. Two ongoing projects where WMF is testing this approach focusing on community participation and inclusive management include Teotihuacán in Mexico, where we aim to create the conditions for sustainable and equitable tourism development by fostering collaboration between local and institutional stakeholders. A second case study explores Rapa Nui National Park, where WMF is addressing the preservation of the endangered Mata Ngarahu petroglyphs in Orongo and empowering the Ma'u Henua Polynesian Indigenous Community in conservation efforts. These projects underscore the importance of long-term commitment, flexibility, and cultural sensitivity in promoting participatory approaches, with the need for adapting engagement strategies based on local dynamics. Lessons learned emphasize that successful implementation requires time, consistency, and alignment with local actors, particularly considering potential conflicts with institutional timing and constraints.