Main areas of work related to the Convention:
- Documentation and Research:
Culture for Sustainable Development conducts comprehensive documentation and research to identify and understand various elements of intangible cultural h.er'ttage' This includes collecting oral histories, documenting traditional practices, and exploring the rigniii..n." of cuitural expressions-such as in the Kalavan Food Proiecf and the ErJ 4C u ltu re C h a re ntsav a n P roject.
- Capacity Building:
We provide training and capacity-building programs for local communities, stakeholders, and practitioners e-ngaged in saieguarding intangible cultural heritage, These initiatives aim io enhance tcnofttjOge, skills, and institutional capacities for sustainable heritage fieservation and for inte!rating cultural potential into development projects. Notable lixampfei include.the mipping-ot cultural heritage and development of comm-unity-based initiatives in the Shiraf region-under the LEAD4Shirak project, as well as the full design and implementation of a training program to build the capacity of cultural sector professionals and organizationi, iostering sustainable cultural development and community engagement in Charentsavan.
- Policy Advocacy:
The organization actively advocates for policies and frameworks that support the safeguirding of iniangibie cultural heritage. W_e hgve supported and guided communities in tn! prepaiation anJ submission of foui applications/nominations for inclusion in Armenia's lntangible Cultural Heritage List'
- Community Engagement:
We place a strong emphasis on community participation and ownership in heritage safeguarding, Our activities include organizlng workshops, public events, and celebratory gatherings to promote culturaldiversity and community involvement.
- Advisory Services:
Culturb for Sustainable Development provides advisory services to governments, NGOs, and community groups, helping them develop strategies, action plans, and projects aimed at the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.
- Collaboration:
We work closely with partner organizations to share knowledge, resources, and best practices in the field of heritage preservation. These collaborations promote mutual iearning and improve the impact of our efforts, Notable partnerships include ongoing cooperition with the Charentsavan community through lhe EU4Culture Proiect,the Diliian Community Center, and Yerevan State University's Laboratory for Ethnological and Cultural Studies.
Objectives
culture for sustainable Development organization is mostly aimed at engaging in research, educational programs, and advocacy inihe field of community cultural heritage. The ;rgil;;i6.;s o-ujictives are defined by the Charter. The main objectives defined are:
-Capacity building and institutional development of stakeholder groups related to historical and intangible cultural heritage issues.
- Raising awareness of the role of culture in sustainable development through educational programs.
- Highlighting the cultural potential of communities, advocacy and safeguarding activities in its direction.
- lntegrating the cultural heritage component into sustainable tourism development programs'
- lnclusion and encouragement of the component about the role of culture, the role of local, community cultural heritale in the perspectives of sustainable economic development of Armenia'
Cooperation
l. Training course on community-based cultural heritage safeguarding was held in the city of ljevan, Tavush region, for the representatives of the local creative industry of the beneficiary communities and those responsible for the cultural policy and management of
the local self-government bodies with support of ICH grants by Ministry of Culture, Armenia, 2019
2. Healing kitchen and foodways documentation for refugees with Dilijan Community Center and DW Armenia, 2021
3. Development of cultural strategy of Charentsavan community, Kotayk Region, Armenia, EU4Culture program 2022
4. Kalavan traditional foodways documentation and presentation: publication of online book and organisation of exhibition in the village of Kalavan, Gegharkunik region, Armenia, August-November 2023
5. Elevant Culture : Strenghtening Capacities and Fostering Cooperation in Charentsavan, EU4Culture, series of workshops in Charentsavan communy, April-June 2024
6. Research-based development programs: engaging ethnographic research for community development, CFSD, Laboratory for Anthropological research, YSU, public discussion, April 12,2024
7. Media streams on Cultural Heritage, ICH safeguarding, ICH representation etc ifor more details please visit our FB page: Facebook
3 Elaboration and submission of 4 nomination files for inclusion to Armenia's National List of ICH with close cooperation and involvement of tradition bearers:
Wild Foraging traditions in Tavush region.
Transhumance tradition in Tavush region,
Jenghyalov hats tradition: preparation and culture of making pie with wild greens among refuges
Tradition of making decorated woollen socks among refuges.
