Between March and April 2025, the European partners had the opportunity to visit Cape Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe islands and conduct field research, with the aim of collecting relevant data on local initiatives and projects in line with the project thematic axis, meeting with public institutions and start engaging local stakeholders which will benefit from the project results.
Despite abundant natural and cultural riches in both countries, their intangible cultural heritage and gastronomy remain undervalued and underutilized sustainably. As SIDS (Small Island Developing States), these nations face significant development challenges, exacerbated by climate change impacts.
CULTIVAR project pioneers an interdisciplinary higher education system, training professionals to tackle challenges and meet Sustainable Development Goals. Proposed activities include fortifying Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in critical areas like History/Cultural Heritage, Tourism, Agronomy, and Social Sciences.
From 31 March to 4 April, partners met in Cape Verde and visited both Santiago and São Vicente islands to conduct a territorial diagnosis focused on three strategic areas for the country: cultural heritage, local food products, and sustainable tourism.
On the first day, a public event to present the project was organised at Jean Piaget University of Cabo Verde, with representatives from the 3 local universities (UniPiaget, ISCEE and the University of Cape Verde) and the EU Ambassador to the country, Ms. Carla Grijó.
The day continued with visits to the 3 partner universities and to Praia cultural institutions such as the Ildo Lobo Palace of Culture and the Amílcar Cabral Foundation. The following day, a tour of the Santiago island was organised, with stops to the National Botanical Garden and to the Serra Malagueta Natural Park. Before travelling to São Vicente island, partners had also the opportunity to visit historical sites such as the Tarrafal Concentration Camp Museum, the hydrobase of the Calheta de São Martinho, on the Aéropostale route between France and South America and Cidade Velha – the Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande de Santiago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the São Filipe Fortress, where a meeting with the Municipality was organised to exchange on the involvement of local authorities to promote a sustainable development of the area. When in São Vicente island, partners exchanged with local stakeholders based in Mindelo, such as with Aventura travel agency organising hiking tours in Cape Verde and Mariventos company, a cultural and creative industry that initiated the well-known Kavala Fresk Festival. Additionally, they had the opportunity to meet with the representatives of the Mindelo Cultural Center and of the CNAD – National Center for Art, Crafts and Design and visit the atelier of Luís Batista, a musician and string instruments artisan. A tour in the historical center of Mindelo, with stops at the Sea Museum, the Municipal Market, and the Fish Market and visits to the local building of the partner universities was also organised.
