The application of the Wallonia Heritage Institute, in conjunction with the Italian company Hydea, has been selected to take part in the "Cultural Heritage Preservation and Tourism Sector Support" project funded by the World Bank in Haiti.

In June 2015, the AWEX Office in Washington had informed the Wallonia Heritage Institute (IPW) of the launch of the call for tenders for the "Cultural Heritage Preservation and Tourism Sector Support" project funded by the World Bank in Haiti. After the pre-selection phase in June 2015, the candidacy of the Italian company HYDEA (leader), with which the IPW joined forces, was submitted a few months later during the second selection phase.

This application was officially accepted in May of this year. The aim of this grouping is to carry out a project management assistance mission with the Haitian government to preserve and enhance its rich heritage. This project enters within the scope of the Built Heritage unit of the IPW, which advises owners and exploits the assets of regional properties in Wallonia. Drawing on its international experience, in Cuba, Haiti, Palestine, Burkina Faso and Senegal among others, the Institute therefore provides a support role through specific missions.

This two-year project is a wonderful opportunity to give an international stage to Walloon know-how in the field of Heritage, particularly at the ambitious level of a project funded by the World Bank. It also recognises the quality of the know-how of the IPW Built Heritage unit, a recent winner of the “Public Project management Award” in Wallonia. Last but not least, it is an example of how the AWEX can serve as a catalyst for new international projects among Walloon operators.