The Committee,

1. Recalling Article 23 of the Convention as well as Chapter I.4 of the Operational Directives relating to the eligibility and criteria of International Assistance requests,
2. Having examined document LHE/23/18.COM/8.d as well as International Assistance request No. 01901 submitted by Zimbabwe,
3. Takes note that Zimbabwe has requested International Assistance for the project entitled Awareness raising on the importance of the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage among traditional leadership and local communities in Zimbabwe:

To be implemented by the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, this two-year project aims to raise awareness of intangible cultural heritage safeguarding among traditional leaders and local communities in Zimbabwe. The project involves translating a summary of the 2003 Convention into local languages and establishing an information centre that will manage online platforms and share content, information and experiences with communities across the country. Based on requests from traditional leaders and local communities, the project also entails organizing awareness-raising seminars about the 2003 Convention and community-based inventorying, including conducting practical exercises. Participants will thus contribute to the transmission, collection, documentation and safeguarding of their intangible cultural heritage. This project builds on past efforts to cover a wider geographical area and increase the participation of traditional leadership and local community members. It also places a particular focus on youth, women and people living with disabilities. The project is expected to result in the creation of an intangible cultural heritage policy and to increase financial and human resources for safeguarding efforts. By increasing awareness about the importance of living heritage, it will also support community initiatives such as the creation of festivals and cultural events.

4. Further takes note that this assistance is to support a project implemented at the national level, in accordance with Article 20 (c) of the Convention, and that it takes the form of the provision of a grant, pursuant to Article 21 (g) of the Convention;
5. Also takes note that Zimbabwe has requested assistance in the amount of US$321,339 from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for the implementation of this project;
6. Considers that, from the information included in the file, the request responds as follows to the criteria for granting International Assistance given in paragraphs 10 and 12 of the Operational Directives:

A.1:   The activities were developed based on the findings of a nationwide community consultation programme. The information provided in the request demonstrates the wide consultation of community members in the design of the project and the preparation of the request. It clearly describes the broad involvement of community leaders, youth, women and people living with disabilities throughout the implementation process and as the principal participants of the awareness-raising seminars. The project also includes traditional leadership structures such as the Chief’s Council in the evaluation of the activities.

A.2:   The requested budget provides detailed insight into the means necessary to implement the awareness-raising programme in Zimbabwe. The budget is detailed and consistent with the information provided on activities to be undertaken. The amount of assistance requested is appropriate.

A.3:   The proposed project is directed towards raising awareness about the importance of the 2003 Convention among traditional leadership and local communities in Zimbabwe, through a comprehensive nationwide approach. The proposed activities are logical in sequence and sufficient details of the activities are provided, including the duration of the webinars and events and the locations of the seminars. The feasibility of the proposed activities is demonstrated, and the activities align with the provided budget and timetable. 

A.4:   After the completion of the project, a policy or bill on intangible cultural heritage will be drawn from consultations made during the project cycle. Beyond the project duration, Community Intangible Cultural Heritage Steering Committees will ensure that youth and communities continue to be engaged in safeguarding living heritage. Upon completion of the awareness-raising activities, communities will conduct community-based inventorying, leading to further promotion of the sustainable safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.

A.5:   The State Party is to cover 42 per cent of the total amount of the project, while the remainder (58 per cent) is requested from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund. The contribution from the State Party is expected to cover mainly the costs of rent, audiovisual materials, and transportation.

A.6:   The proposed plan foresees the capacity building of the traditional leaders and community members through the knowledge and experience they will acquire during the seminars and the development of action plans. Communities will build capacities related to facilitating the convergence of performing arts, intangible cultural heritage dialogue and advocacy, and local community development. In addition, it is expected that the management capacities of the implementing organization will improve in the fields of monitoring, reporting and evaluating.

A.7:   Zimbabwe benefitted from International Assistance from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for three projects: a) ‘Safeguarding cultural heritage aspects of Njelele’ (file no. 0552, 2011, US$25,000); b) ‘Enhancing the capacity of communities to safeguard traditional dance expressions as performing arts heritage in western Zimbabwe’ (file no. 01304, 2018 – 2021, US$98,927) and c) ‘Inventorying oral traditions, expressions, local knowledge and practices of the Korekore of Hurungwe district in Zimbabwe’ (file no. 01312, 2018 – 2021, US$93,242.50). The last two projects are undergoing administrative and financial closure.

Paragraph 10(a): The project is national in scope and will involve communities and traditional leaders from the ten districts of Zimbabwe. The background and mission of the implementing agency – the Department of Arts and Culture Promotion and Development – and the entities that will support the implementation of the programme have the necessary experience and human resources. Collaboration with the Department of Traditional Leaders and Support Services is foreseen, and a series of facilitators and rapporteurs will be called upon to achieve the nationwide scope of the programme.

Paragraph 10(b): The project will have multiplier effects as the State Party is committed to funding part of the required budget. Technical support will be obtained from the National Archives of Zimbabwe, the Chief’s Council and other named institutions. Stakeholders in the culture sector and corporate enterprises are targeted for financial support.

7. Decides to approve the International Assistance request from Zimbabwe for the project entitled Awareness raising on the importance of the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage among traditional leadership and local communities in Zimbabwe and grantsthe amount of US$321,339 to the State Party to this end;
8. Encourages the implementing agency to consider the results of previous International Assistance granted to the requesting State in order to build on their achievements and to benefit from the lessons learnt;
9. Requests that the Secretariat reach an agreement with the requesting State Party on the technical details of the assistance both before and over the course of the implementation of the project, paying particular attention to ensuring that the budget, timeline and work plan of the activities to be covered by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund are detailed and specific enough to provide sufficient justification of the expenditures;
10. Invites the State Party to use Form ICH-04-Report to report on the use of the assistance granted.