The Bureau,

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/24/19.COM 1.BUR/4, as well as International Assistance request no. 02152 submitted by Uganda,
3. Takes note that Uganda has requested International Assistance for the project entitled Consolidating and upscaling efforts of community museums to safeguard six intangible cultural heritage elements in Uganda:

To be implemented by the Uganda Community Museums Association (UCOMA), an accredited NGO, this two-year project aims to increase the capacity of community museums to sustainably safeguard Uganda’s intangible cultural heritage inscribed on the Lists of the 2003 Convention. It is the second phase of the project entitled ‘Strengthening the capacity of community museums to promote inscribed intangible cultural heritage’, which was implemented from June 2020 to July 2022. It contributed to training five community museum managers and community leaders about the 2003 Convention and to raising awareness about the importance of safeguarding their intangible cultural heritage. A film and a booklet were produced addressing the role of communities, and particularly young people, in the safeguarding of living heritage. In addition, more than five hundred young people were mentored by museum managers and trained bearers. During this new phase, the five previously trained museum managers will be co-facilitating the capacity-building training courses and will share their experiences and successes in terms of safeguarding strategies with an additional seven community museum managers and other stakeholders. The project also entails planning an exhibition curated by bearer communities and producing information and education materials. Furthermore, a national conference will focus on devising safeguarding measures with community museum managers, bearers, religious leaders, government officials and youth representatives. The project will also generate interest in documenting and publicizing additional elements, while encouraging cultural institutions to devise strategies for the promotion of living heritage through community-driven development interventions. It is further expected that the project will inspire school administrators to support youth in visiting local living heritage bearers.

4. Further takes note that this assistance aims 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 Uganda has requested an allocation of US$99,601 from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for the implementation of the project;
6. Decides that, from the information provided in file n 02152, the request responds as follows to the criteria for granting International Assistance given in paragraphs 10 and 12 of the Operational Directives:

Criterion A.1: Upon completion of the first phase of the project, the trained community museum managers expressed their willingness to share experiences and knowledge gained. As a result, they took part in collective discussions to reflect on this new phase and participation in its elaboration. In addition, community members, through their activities in the community museums, have reflected on their needs and possible areas of intervention for this project. Finally, community participation is ensured throughout the implementation of the project.

Criterion A.2: The budget is presented in a structured manner, reflecting the planned activities and related expenses. The amount of assistance requested may therefore be considered as appropriate for the implementation of the proposed activities.

Criterion A.3: The project has been developed based on the lessons learned from the previous International Assistance project. The request is clearly structured and consists of twelve activities built around four main areas of action: (a) capacity-building workshops for communities; (b) awareness-raising activities at local and national levels; (c) the development of an exhibition and material to promote the six inscribed elements of Uganda; and (d) provision of micro-grants and materials to support the community museums. Each activity corresponds to the objectives and expected results outlined in the request. The sequence of the proposed activities is logical and seems feasible in terms of the duration of the project.

Criterion A.4: The project should contribute to sustainable outcomes, as its awareness-raising activities will provide significant visibility for the six elements inscribed by Uganda on the lists of the Convention. For example, the materials developed for the national exhibition will be displayed permanently in the twelve community museums, helping to attract local visitors. In addition, training courses for professionals and communities will highlight the importance of safeguarding living heritage through community museums, while preventing elements from being de-contextualized. In addition, a network of stakeholders composed of a wide range of partners, from community representatives to religious leaders, are expected to form a national coalition of intangible cultural heritage experts to promote the safeguarding of living heritage in Uganda.

Criterion A.5: The requesting State Party will contribute 1 per cent (US$1,025) of the total amount of the project budget (US$100,626). Consequently, International Assistance is requested from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for the remaining 99 per cent of the total amount of the project budget.

Criterion A.6: The project has an important capacity-building component. Through various courses, it will contribute to the training of: (a) forty people (museum managers, bearers, representatives from local authorities and religious leaders) on the cultural and social significance of the six elements of Uganda; (b) twenty-four participants on the community-driven principles of intangible cultural heritage safeguarding; and (c) nearly twenty people on communication tools (including social media and digital platforms) to increase the visibility and viability of Uganda’s living heritage. In addition, over one hundred participants will attend other meetings and activities planned as part of the project. It will help to improve the technical skills and confidence of at least eighteen bearers in communicating and transmitting the meanings of the elements, particularly among young people, at both community and national levels. It is also expected to encourage young people and the general public to appreciate and value these elements.

Criterion A.7: Uganda has benefited from International Assistance from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for seven completed projects and one ongoing project.[1] The work stipulated in the contracts related to these projects was and is being carried out in accordance with UNESCO regulations.

Paragraph 10(a): The project is national in scope and its implementation involves national and local partners, including the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social development; the Uganda National Museum; the National Culture Forum; the Uganda National Culture Centre; the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO; the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda; and the District Community Development Officers.

Paragraph 10(b): The project is expected to encourage local government authorities to incorporate safeguarding measures into their development programmes. Furthermore, it should encourage school administrations to provide financial and material support to the young people involved in the intangible cultural heritage school clubs, so that they can continue to work in the community museums near their schools.

7. Approves the International Assistance request from Uganda for the project entitled Consolidating and upscaling efforts of community museums to safeguard six intangible cultural heritage elements in Uganda and grants the amount of US$99,601 for the implementation of this project;
8. Requests the implementing agency to work in close collaboration with the national authorities to ensure their active participation in all activities foreseen under this project and encourages the requesting State Party to take into consideration the results of both community museum projects in all national initiatives in the field of intangible cultural heritage;
9. Requests that the Secretariat reach an agreement with the requesting State Party on the technical details of the assistance, paying particular attention to ensuring that the budget and the work plan of the activities to be covered by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund are detailed and specific enough to provide a sufficient justification of all the expenditures;
10. Invites the requesting State Party to use Form ICH-04-Report to report on the use of the assistance granted.

[1] (a) ‘Inventorying the intangible cultural heritage of four communities in Uganda’ (US$216,000; July 2013–March 2015); (b) Preparatory assistance (List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding) for the project entitled ‘The male-child cleansing ceremony of the Lango people of North Central Uganda (Dwoko Atin Awobi lot)’ (US$8,570; March 2012–March 2013); (c) Preparatory assistance (List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding) for the project entitled ‘Madi bow lyre music, O’di’ (US$10,000; December 2013–March 2015); (d) ‘Safeguarding and promotion of Bigwala, gourd trumpet music and dance of Busoga Kingdom in Uganda’ (US$24,990; September 2015–August 2017); (e) ‘Promoting intangible cultural heritage education in institutions of higher learning in Uganda’ (US$97,582; June 2017–June 2020); (f) ‘Community-self documentation and revitalization of ceremonies and practices associated with Empaako naming system in Uganda’ (US$232,120; February 2018–February 2020); (g) ‘Strengthening the capacity of community museums to promote inscribed intangible cultural heritage elements’ (US$61,471; May 2020–June 2022); and (h) ‘Consolidating the promotion of intangible cultural heritage education in institutions of higher learning in collaboration with bearer communities’ (US$98,203; contract under establishment).