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 3.BUR/3 as well as International Assistance request no. 02344 submitted by The Gambia,
3. Takes note that The Gambia has requested International Assistance for the project entitled Building capacities on intangible cultural heritage inventorying, safeguarding and awareness raising activities in The Gambia:

To be implemented by the National Centre for Art and Culture, this two-year project aims to build the capacities of communities and practitioners and to promote the safeguarding and transmission of The Gambia’s intangible cultural heritage. The project has a particular focus on the safeguarding of the Kankurang, Manding initiatory rite, an element inscribed in 2008 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (originally proclaimed in 2005 as part of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity). The project involves: (a) supporting community-based safeguarding activities; (b) conducting awareness-raising activities such as radio talk shows, broadcasts and inter-school competitions; (c) updating The Gambia’s intangible cultural heritage catalogue, which was created during a pilot project carried out in 2022–2023, and adapting it to an online format for regular updating by community representatives; and (d) upgrading and rehabilitating the Kankurang cultural centre, furnishing its education room and constructing a performance stage. Activities will also include the coordination of capacity-building workshops on the 2003 Convention and a community-based inventorying of ninety elements of intangible cultural heritage, in addition to thirty elements already inventoried during the above-mentioned pilot project. The request places a particular focus on women-led elements in the Central River region. The community festivals associated with the project will generate income and facilitate the transfer of knowledge and skills to younger generations.

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 The Gambia has requested an allocation of US$99,930 from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for the implementation of the project;
6. Decides that, from the information provided in file no. 02344, 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: The current request builds on the positive results of the intangible cultural heritage project[1] implemented from 2022 to 2023. During this project, a series of meetings and training workshops were held to raise awareness among government officials and other relevant stakeholders about the 2003 Convention, the importance of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage as well as its contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The representatives from eighteen communities involved in the pilot project expressed their wish for more comprehensive training, followed by a more detailed inventorying exercise. While the proposal was initiated by the National Centre for Art and Culture, community members and representatives from various organizations were involved in the preparation of the request. The request clearly demonstrates the involvement of communities in all the activities foreseen in the project.

Criterion A.2: The budget is well structured, and the project costs are clearly explained. The amount of assistance requested is deemed appropriate for the proposed activities.

Criterion A.3: The objectives and results of the project are well defined and appear achievable. The project consists of five main activities that align with the objectives of the request: (a) capacity-building workshops; (b) community-based inventories; (c) awareness-raising activities; (d) rehabilitation of the Kankurang centre; and (e) monitoring and evaluation.

Criterion A.4: The project is expected to equip a significant number of individuals and community members with the expertise and knowledge required to develop plans for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage throughout the country. Furthermore, the awareness-raising campaign, including on social networks, and the production of communication materials, would promote the results of the project among civil society, youth and various stakeholders. The activities aimed at enhancing the visibility of the element ‘Kankurang, Manding initiatory rite’ could raise awareness about the importance of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage at local and national levels.

Criterion A.5: The requesting State Party will contribute 20 per cent (US$24,984) of the total amount of the project budget (US$124,914). Consequently, International Assistance is requested from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for the remaining 80 per cent of the total amount of the project.

Criterion A.6: The project has a clear focus on capacity building at local and national levels. During the training workshops, fifty community members and representatives from local and regional authorities will be introduced to the principles of the 2003 Convention, the development of safeguarding plans and community-based inventorying. It is expected that approximatively 400 individuals from 30 communities will participate in the inventory exercises. The request clearly describes the participation of women, both as trainers and trainees (for instance, by involving female social media influencers, comedians, rappers and radio presenters in the awareness-raising campaigns, the project intends to convey female voices not only within the communities but also to a broader audience). Overall, the project may contribute to the establishment of a sustainable framework for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage in The Gambia.

Criterion A.7: The requesting State Party has not previously received any financial assistance from UNESCO under the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund of the 2003 Convention to implement activities in the field of intangible cultural heritage.

Paragraph 10(a): The project is national in scope and involves national partners such as the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, local authorities, NGOs, cultural associations and journalists.

Paragraph 10(b): The requesting State Party will have resource persons trained in the field of intangible cultural heritage, beyond the completion of the project. Furthermore, communities will be encouraged to develop similar initiatives in other regions of The Gambia.

7. Commends the State Party on the submission of an International Assistance request that builds on the results, successes and achievements of a recently completed project that was financed with earmarked funds under the 2003 Convention;
8. Approves the International Assistance request from The Gambia for the project entitled Building capacities on intangible cultural heritage inventorying, safeguarding and awareness raising activities in The Gambia and grants the amount of US$99,930 for the implementation of this project;
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] The project, entitled ‘Capacity-building for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and contributing to sustainable development’, was funded by France (01 December 2021—01 December 2023; US$135,722).