The Bureau, 

1. Recalling Chapter V of the Convention as well as Chapter I.4 of the Operational Directives relating to the eligibility and selection criteria of International Assistance requests,
2. Having examined document LHE/26/21.COM 3.BUR/3 as well as International Assistance request no. 02687 submitted by the United Republic of Tanzania,
3. Takes note that the United Republic of Tanzania has requested International Assistance for the project entitled Strengthening national capacities for community-based inventorying and safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage in the United Republic of Tanzania:

To be implemented by the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports and by the Tanzania National Commission for the UNESCO, this twenty-four-month project aims to strengthen national capacities for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage through community-based inventorying. In addition to training workshops and inventorying activities, the project entails updating the national inventory with twenty-four new elements and will be implemented in eight different regions of Tanzania. By building human resource capacities, strengthening institutional coordination, and promoting meaningful community engagement, the project will contribute to the sustainable safeguarding of Tanzania’s intangible cultural heritage. It will also create a stronger foundation for future safeguarding initiatives and community-based inventories. Ultimately, the project provides a scalable and cost-effective approach that strengthens national safeguarding systems, while inviting broader collaboration and long-term sustainability.

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 United Republic of Tanzania has requested an allocation of US$100,000 from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for the implementation of the project;
6. Decides that, from the information provided in file no. 02687, 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 request builds on the positive results of a capacity-building project^[1] implemented between 2022 and 2024, during which a series of meetings and training workshops were held to raise awareness among government officials and other relevant stakeholders about the 2003 Convention and the importance of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in the country. Further consultations were conducted between June 2025 and March 2026 to ensure that community perspectives and aspirations were reflected in the current request. These consultations informed the selection of regions, the identification of priority safeguarding needs, and the definition of proposed activities. Throughout the implementation of the project, communities will actively participate in community-based inventorying, field work, documentation, training workshops, and monitoring and evaluation processes. The project also promotes a gender-balanced approach, with particular attention to women-led practices that sometimes remain underrepresented in inventories.

Criterion A.2: The budget breakdown and the proposed timetable are well structured and in line with the activities described in the request. The amount of assistance requested is deemed appropriate.

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 consultations and community-based inventorying; (c) awareness-raising activities; (d) analysis and review of the documentation; and (e) validation workshops and updating of the national inventory.

Criterion A.4: The project seeks to strengthen national safeguarding efforts through community-based approaches to inventorying and safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. Its activities address key challenges, including gaps in the national inventory, limited institutional and technical capacities, and the need to enhance community participation in safeguarding processes. The project will also contribute to the update of the national inventory with the inclusion of twenty-four elements and to the implementation of the draft ‘National framework for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage’, currently under elaboration in Tanzania. The project will result in the creation of a network of resource persons equipped with knowledge and skills in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage to support the implementation of the 2003 Convention at local and national levels.

Criterion A.5: The requesting State Party will contribute 7 per cent (US$6,923) of the total amount of the project for International Assistance (US$106,923). Consequently, International Assistance is requested from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for the remaining 93 per cent of the total amount of the project.

Criterion A.6: The project focuses on strengthening capacities for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage at the national, regional and community levels. During the 8 training workshops, approximately 120 cultural officers, representatives from regional authorities and community members will enhance their knowledge and skills related to the principles of the 2003 Convention, the development of safeguarding plans and community-based inventorying. The project will also strengthen the capacities of communities to identify, document and transmit their living heritage, while reinforcing the participation of women and youth in safeguarding activities.

Criterion A.7: The United Republic of Tanzania has benefitted from International Assistance from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for one completed preparatory assistance project.^[2] The work stipulated in the contract related to this project was carried out in accordance with UNESCO regulations.

Paragraph 10(a): The project is national in scope and involves the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, the Ministry of Information, Youth, Culture and Sports in Zanzibar, the Tanzania National Commission for UNESCO, the National Museum of Tanzania, the Museum and Antiquities Department in Zanzibar, local government authorities, media organizations and civil society organizations.

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 Tanzania where living heritage is not yet inventoried.

7. Approves the International Assistance request from the United Republic of Tanzania for the project entitled Strengthening national capacities for community-based inventorying and safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage in the United Republic of Tanzania, and grants the amount of US$100,000 for the implementation of this project;
8. Commends the State Party on the submission of an International Assistance request that builds on the results and achievements of a recently completed project that was financed with earmarked funds under the 2003 Convention;
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.