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/23/18.COM 2.BUR/4 as well as International Assistance request no. 02042 submitted by Nicaragua,
3. Takes note that Nicaragua has requested International Assistance for the project entitled Inventory of the intangible cultural heritage of traditional and religious festivities in the municipalities of Bluefields, Diriamba, León, El Viejo and Masaya:

To be implemented by the Nicaraguan Institute of Culture, this twenty-four-month project aims to prepare an inventory of Nicaraguan intangible cultural heritage and to contribute to the safeguarding of elements related to the following traditional and religious festivities: (a) the traditional May Pole Festival; (b) the San Sebastian Patron Saint Festival; (c) the Festival of the Virgin of the Throne; (d) ‘La Gritería’, in honour of the Immaculate Conception of Mary; and (e) the San Jerónimo Patron Saint Festival. The project involves a series of capacity-building workshops on the identification and inventorying of intangible cultural heritage. Community workshops will also be implemented to spread awareness about the importance of living heritage and of community participation in its safeguarding and transmission. Other activities include data collection and inventorying and the publication of a book about the intangible cultural heritage of traditional and religious festivals.

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 Nicaragua has requested assistance in the amount of US$100,000 from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for the implementation of this project;
6. Decides that, from the information provided in file no. 02042, 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: Community consultations were held with bearers and practitioners from the five communities that will participate in the project. Each community expressed full support, consent and participation. The Nicaraguan Institute of Culture will also actively work with local authorities, bearers, community leaders, cultural youth movements and other stakeholders. An inclusive gender and age perspective is aimed to be achieved as well.

Criterion A.2: The budget is well-structured and specific details, descriptions and calculations of the cost of the proposed project are clearly explained. The amount of assistance requested is appropriate for the proposed activities.

Criterion A.3: The proposed activities are well-planned and coherent in terms of objectives, activities and expected outcomes. The project is based on three main actions: research and inventory documentation, capacity building and awareness-raising. It is expected that the inventory will be published as a book.

Criterion A.4: The project foresees capacity-building and awareness-raising activities for multiple stakeholders, including living heritage bearers and academics and staff of governmental institutions. The project ensures the transmission of knowledge and collaboration amongst communities and with other stakeholders. Furthermore, the project will promote continuing inventory processes at local and national levels.

Criterion A.5: The requesting State will contribute 13 per cent and other partners will contribute a further 3 per cent of the total amount of the project budget (US$119,199). Consequently, International Assistance is requested from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for the remaining 84 per cent of the total amount of the project budget.

Criterion A.6: The project emphasizes building the capacities of communities and stakeholders. Government officers will gain enhanced understanding of the meanings of living heritage for the communities, as well as of the role of the bearers in the enactment of intangible cultural heritage elements. Communities will be encouraged to participate in safeguarding processes. The project is expected to engage 40 participants in the awareness-raising workshop as well as 35 persons in the inventory preparation workshops and inventorying exercise.

Criterion A.7: Nicaragua has benefited from International Assistance from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for one completed project[1] and one ongoing multinational project (Belize, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama) entitled ‘Capacity building for community leaders and public managers to safeguard the living heritage of Afro-descendant communities in the SICA region and Cuba’ (US$99,986; February 2023 – March 2024). The work stipulated by the contracts related to these projects was and is being carried out in compliance with UNESCO’s regulations.

Paragraph 10(a): The project is to be implemented at the local level and involves partners such as the National Network of Public Libraries, the Ministry of Education, the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism, the National Commission of Creative Economy, and the country’s academic sector, heritage foundations and civil associations.

Paragraph 10(b): As part of the multiplier effects of the project, the project may lead to other initiatives to inventory other types of Nicaraguan intangible cultural heritage elements, with a view to establish a national inventory of Nicaraguan intangible cultural heritage.

7. Approves the International Assistance request from Nicaragua for the project entitled Inventory of the intangible cultural heritage of traditional and religious festivities in the municipalities of Bluefields, Diriamba, León, El Viejo and Masaya and grants the amount of US$100,000 to the requesting State for this purpose;
8. Takes note of the positive experience of the technical assistance provided to Nicaragua in finalizing this request, and invites the requesting State to build on the skills of the staff who directly benefited from this assistance;
9. Requests that the Secretariat reach an agreement with the requesting State 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 to use Form ICH-04-Report to report on the use of the assistance granted.

[1] Preparatory assistance (Urgent Safeguarding List) for the project entitled ‘Oral traditions and expressions of Rama people’ (US$9,695; December 2009 – April 2010).