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What is a partnership?

A partnership is a collaboration between UNESCO and a partner to participate in promoting and protecting World Heritage, through specific goals and objectives.

What is a partner?

A partner of the World Heritage Centre is an organization, public or private, that has an agreement with UNESCO to specifically support the promotion and the protection of World Heritage.

What are the different kinds of partnerships?

There are as many partnerships as there are partners. Every partnership is designed to respond to the needs of UNESCO as well as matching the potential of a partner's specific contribution,

Our partnerships are classified according to private-public criteria. You can find more information in our "partners" section.

Is a State party to the World Heritage Convention a partner?

A State party to the World Heritage Convention is not in itself a partner of the World Heritage Centre, even if both are working together on a daily basis. However, some States have concluded partnership agreements with the Centre to implement specific activities or support more particularly the promotion and the protection of World Heritage.

You can find more information about these partnerships in our "public partners" section.

What is an NGO?

In UNESCO terms, a non-governmental organization (NGO) is an organization that has not been established by intergovernmental agreement and which purpose, function and operation are non-governmental and non-profit-making in character.

What is meant by « private sector »?

The private sector signified any organization whether governmental or intergovernmental in character, which does not operate as non-profit-making.

What are UNESCO and its World Heritage Centre expecting from a partnership?

A partnership is a beneficial relationship for both parties. UNESCO and its World Heritage Centre wish that every partnership, through its defined role, will have an effect on World Heritage preservation, and respond to the objectives defined by the World Heritage Committee.

How can one become a partner?

Potential partners interested in establishing a partnership should contact the World Heritage Centre. Consultations take place to find the best possible objectives for a potential partnership.

What are the criteria to conclude a partnership?

There is no classic example of a partnership. Although there are no precise criteria, certain guidelines do exist to allow the World Heritage Centre to decide whether a partnership can be envisioned. These guidelines should amongst other things correspond to the different principles of partnership, which are flexible enough to take into account every situation.

Are all private companies allowed to collaborate with the World Heritage Centre?

The United Nations has established the Global Compact, whose universal principles provide a framework of standards for the collaboration between the UN system, including UNESCO, and the private sector. Private companies that wish to become partners must abide with the ten principles of the Global Compact.

Can private individuals be partners?

There is no possibility for the moment for a private individual to become a partner as such. He/she must go through a company or an association of which the individual has either created or is a member.

 Private individuals can, however, participate in the protection of World Heritage by donating online.

Are there any rules to control and evaluate partnerships?

Every partnership is different; therefore there are no fixed rules of control and evaluation of the outcome of a partner's endeavour. In any case, collaboration is reviewed and evaluated by the specialists of the World Heritage Centre, to determine whether the partnership should be developed on a long-term basis.