Resumen:

To be implemented by the Syrian Development Organization, this thirty-six-month community-based project aims to safeguard and ensure the transmission of ‘traditional Syrian glassblowing’, an element inscribed in 2023 on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. The element’s viability is severely threatened due to the limited number of artisans remaining and the lack of structured training programmes. Through a series of training cycles led by experienced artisans, participants will acquire practical skills in traditional glassblowing techniques, alongside basic design and production knowledge adapted to contemporary needs. The project will also include awareness-raising activities and the development of audio-visual materials and educational resources to ensure that the knowledge associated with the element is safeguarded, accessible and valued. The project will be implemented in Damascus and will focus on intergenerational transmission, capacity-building and inclusive participation. It will engage young women and men, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as individuals with disabilities. In addition to enhancing the element’s viability, this project is expected to support income generation and local resilience and to serve as a reference for the design of similar safeguarding programmes. It will also reinforce the role of living heritage as a driver of inclusive economic recovery and sustainable development, thereby encouraging broader engagement in the cultural heritage sector.