Decision of the Bureau: 15.COM 2.BUR 3.2

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/20/15.COM 2.BUR/3, as well as International Assistance request no. 01428 submitted by Burundi,
  3. Takes note that Burundi has requested International Assistance for the project entitled Updating of the 2009 inventory of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in Burundi with the participation of the communities:

Entrusted mainly to the General Directorate of Culture and Arts, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research through the Burundi National Commission for UNESCO, this project is aimed at updating the 2009 inventory of intangible cultural heritage in Burundi, with the participation of the communities concerned. Stemming from the expressed wishes of the communities concerned, the update will consist of systematically documenting the different elements of living heritage, establishing their degree of viability, and identifying their holders. The updated inventory will also be enriched with elements not identified previously. To this end, data collection will be preceded by training on the content of the 2003 Convention and on the inventorying methodology. The description of the elements and the layout of the inventory will be improved, and it will be published in both French and Kirundi to make it more accessible, including to its diaspora. It will then be printed and widely distributed to the country’s main libraries, youth centers, reading and cultural centers and on relevant websites. The update will cover the entire country and the resulting inventory is expected to be a comprehensive, practical tool.

  1. 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;
  2. Also takes note that Burundi has requested assistance in the amount of US$96,052 from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for the implementation of this project;
  3. Decides that, from the information provided in file no. 01428, 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 information provided in the request demonstrates that the project builds on the safeguarding efforts that Burundi has been undertaken over a long period of time. These include a series of workshops and consultations, which began in 2009, where the needs and recommendations of the communities were noted. In addition, the communities concerned – both those that participated in the original inventory and others – will be represented in the project’s steering committee and will be one of the main actors for the planning, implementation and monitoring of the project.

Criterion A.2: The budget reflects the planned activities and related expenditures in sufficient detail. Therefore, the amount of assistance requested can be considered to be appropriate with regard to the objectives and scope of the project.

Criterion A.3: The request presents seven main activities, all of which correspond to the objectives and expected results of the project. They were designed with a clear understanding of the evolving nature of living heritage in such a way that the project foresees a regular updating of inventories to reflect the changing viability of many of the elements of intangible cultural heritage included in the original inventory. Since the work plan is well thought-out, with a logical sequence of all the planned activities, the implementation of the project within the planned timeline should be realistic.

Criterion A.4: Through the project, the implementing agency and its partners are expected to set up a sustainable framework in Burundi for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage and, as such, to contribute to the revision of the country’s cultural policy. The project also reflects the aspiration of the communities to enjoy lasting peace, social cohesion and sustainable development. The capacity-building workshops and inventorying activities are intended to provide the communities, national authorities and other stakeholders with the methodological tools and skills needed to continue working on the management and safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. Lastly, the project plans to incorporate intangible cultural heritage, and more particularly the results of the inventories, into school curricula.

Criterion A.5: The requesting State will share 9 per cent of the overall budget of the project for which International Assistance is requested from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund.

Criterion A.6: The project seeks to reinforce the capacities of governmental institutions, including the General Directorate of Culture and Arts, and community representatives through specific training on the 2003 Convention. They will also enable them to be trained in inventorying their living heritage for the purpose of its safeguarding. The communities are expected to contribute to the collection of information, the validation of the inventory results and the implementation of safeguarding measures.

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

Paragraph 10(a): The project will be carried out at the national level and will involve a wide range of national partners in addition to communities, including the Parliament, the Presidency of the Republic and provincial administrations.

Paragraph 10(b): The project is expected to mobilize additional contributions from the State Party’s national budget and potential donors. Furthermore, the communication materials developed under the project, such as the inventory booklet and the documentary film, will be distributed in cultural centres and libraries across the country, thus raising awareness among young people about the importance of safeguarding living heritage. At the end of the project, it is expected that intangible cultural heritage will be integrated into school curricula.

  1. Takes note of the technical assistance provided to Burundi to finalize the request and commends the efforts made by the State Party in substantially revising the initial draft;
  2. Approves the International Assistance request from Burundi for the project entitled Updating of the 2009 inventory of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in Burundi with the participation of the communities and grants the amount of US$96,052 to the State Party for this purpose;
  3. 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 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;
  4. Invites the State Party to use Form ICH-04-Report when reporting on the use of the International Assistance provided.

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