On August 31, 2023, 41 representatives from 15 out of the 16 entities that received grant funding from the European Union in Kenya (EUDK) and the Portuguese Government gathered for a benchmarking event at the Crab Shack Dabaso, a community-led tourism enterprise in Watamu, Kilifi County. The EUDK and the Portuguese government, under the Tourism and Cultural Heritage component of the Go Blue Kenya program, provided funding to the 16 entities with the primary objective of advancing inclusive employment opportunities within the Tourism and Cultural Heritage sectors across the coastal counties of Kenya, under the umbrella of Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani-Kenya's coastal economic bloc.
At this one-day benchmarking event, representatives from the funded entities convened to exchange invaluable knowledge, share lessons learned, and reflect on their unique project experiences. These benchmarking sessions are thoughtfully designed to facilitate the sharing of sustainability best practices, explore potential avenues for collaboration, and solicit feedback and suggestions aimed at enhancing project outcomes. Moreover, these gatherings play a pivotal role in shaping recommendations for the development of a comprehensive Tourism and Cultural Heritage Blueprint for the Kenyan coast.
One participant expressed their gratitude for the event, stating, "We are extremely grateful for the benchmarking event. It was helpful for us to learn from a successful tourism and cultural heritage community-led business about their journey and to also share our experience and learn from the experiences of other grantees."
The Go Blue Kenya program represents a partnership between the European Union and the Government of Kenya, with a shared mission to advance the Blue Economy Agenda through Coastal Development. This program is a collaborative effort, engaging multiple EU member countries in close cooperation with the county governments of Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Mombasa, Taita Taveta, and Tana River. The Tourism and Cultural Heritage component of the Go Blue Programme is co-funded by the Portuguese Government and is spearheaded by Camões IP. Its overarching goal is to fortify the value chains of these sectors in Kenya, promoting inclusivity and sustainability.
The benchmarking event at Crab Shack Dabaso is a testament to the dedication of the EUDK and the Portuguese Government to fostering positive change in Kenya's coastal regions. By investing in tourism and cultural heritage interventions and facilitating collaboration among grantees, this initiative hopes to pave the way for a more sustainable and inclusive future for Kenya's coastal economy.