Capacity building for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in emergencies in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Pacific and the Caribbean

Benefitting country(ies): Bahamas, Belize, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu

Overview:

In line with the Operational principles and modalities for safeguarding living heritage (or ICH) in emergencies, the project addresses the severe threats from natural disasters to the transmission and viability of ICH in five Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean and the Pacific, notably: Belize, the Bahamas, Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu. It aims to integrate ICH safeguarding into ›››

News and activities:

• 2025-12-03 – Sharing insights and outcomes: ‘Capacity-building for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in emergencies in Small Island Developing States in the Pacific and the Caribbean’
• 2022-04-11 – Launch of a three-year project for safeguarding living heritage during emergencies in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Pacific and the Caribbean

Safeguarding indigenous vernacular architecture and building knowledge in Vanuatu

Benefitting country(ies): Vanuatu

Overview:

This project seeks to document the pre- and post- cyclone condition of 6 significant traditional nakamals, the traditional meeting places in Vanuatu. These structures have recently been damaged by Cyclone Pam, a category 5 system that crossed the region on the 13 March 2015. The documentation will include both the tangible and intangible aspects of each nakamal, which will be represented through a written ›››

News and activities:

• 2017-05-29 – Safeguarding Indigenous Architecture in Vanuatu
• 2015-08-24 – Peacebuilding, natural disasters mitigation and indigenous communities supported by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund

Safeguarding of Vanuatu Sand Drawings

Benefitting country(ies): Vanuatu

Overview:

Sand drawing is a multifunctional “writing” produced on the ground, in sand, volcanic ash or clay, using one finger to draw a graceful, often symmetrical composition of geometric patterns. It serves as a means of communication among the members of some 80 ethnolinguistic groups. The objectives of the safeguarding project are to: *Raise awareness about the importance of the sand drawings at ›››

Traditional Money Banks in Vanuatu

Benefitting country(ies): Vanuatu

Overview:

-PHOTO:00407-MED-R- This project was designed to establish and promote traditional money banks that would allow people who are involved in the production of various forms of traditional wealth to continue producing such wealth while those who are primarily involved in the cash economy can have access to the traditional valuables needed for ceremonial activities. Through this project, sufficient data ›››