Sustainable Management and Preservation of Cultural Heritage Using Evidence-Based Policy and Practice (EBPP) Model

Cultural heritage is a critical pillar of identity, social cohesion and continuity within ethnocultural communities. However, the preservation of cultural heritage across Southern Africa is largely constrained by fragmented colonial policy implementation, and limited community engagement. This study critically examines the application of the Evidence-Based Policy and Practice (EBPP) model as a decolonizing framework for sustainable management of cultural heritage. The study conducts a structured scoping review of literature to explore the integration of EBPP with the principles of Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, Ethics (CARE), and the principles of Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable (FAIR) to support inclusive and ethical governance. The findings of the study reveal that sustainable management of cultural heritage is dependent upon community-led governance, alignment between research, policy, and practice, and strengthening of intellectual property protections. The study identifies persistent gaps in the operationalization of indigenous knowledge policies and highlighted the need for participatory approaches to ensure the long-term sustainability of cultural heritage. The study argues that the integration of EBPP, alongside the principles of CARE and FAIR, significantly enhances accountability, fosters data sovereignty, and supports the decolonization of knowledge systems. Thus, the study makes a significant contribution to the growing global discourse on sustainable development by positioning cultural heritage as a dynamic resource for social transformation.