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. 02050 submitted by Rwanda,
3. Takes note that Rwanda has requested International Assistance for the project entitled Elaboration of an inventory of national intangible cultural heritage:

To be implemented by the Rwandan National Commission for UNESCO, this eighteen-month project aims to develop the first inventory of the intangible cultural heritage of Rwanda and to support the government’s national safeguarding efforts. The project involves: (a) implementing a capacity-building training workshop about the Convention and the importance of intangible cultural heritage, including training on relevant techniques and tools; (b) conducting community-based inventories; (c) collecting and analysing information on intangible cultural heritage in the communities; and (d) organizing awareness-raising meetings in the communities. Other activities include consulting over 300 project stakeholders, including community members, government entities and researchers. Fieldwork will also be conducted to inventory intangible cultural heritage throughout the country, and the collected materials and data will be digitalized. The project is expected to contribute to the strengthening of existing resources in the field of living heritage. It will benefit communities and cultural professionals in Rwanda, who will be able to carry out safeguarding activities in the future. It is also intended that national authorities use the results of the inventories to prepare a nomination file for inscription of an element on the Representative List.

4. Further takes note that this assistance aims to support a project to be 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 Rwanda has requested assistance in the amount of US$99,230 from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for the implementation of this project.
6. Decides that, from the information provided in file no. 02050, 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 project was designed following the ‘Needs assessment for the implementation of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Rwanda’ carried out in 2017 by a member of the Global Network of Facilitators of the 2003 Convention. Four bearers and community leaders collaborated with national authorities in the development of the request. The project outlines the vital role of the communities concerned in the implementation of the activities, such as in capacity-building workshops and inventorying as well as in monitoring and evaluation.

Criterion A.2: The budget is well thought-out and structured to support the different components of the project. The overall amount of assistance requested seems appropriate with regard to the objectives and scope of the project.

Criterion A.3: The request is structured around four main activities: (a) awareness-raising stakeholder meetings in the thirty districts of Rwanda; (b) capacity-building workshops on the 2003 Convention; (c) community-based inventory field exercises in the different areas; and (d) elaboration of the inventory of national intangible cultural heritage. The proposed activities are clearly identified and correspond to the objectives and expected results outlined in the request. Furthermore, the timeframe is realistic to enable the effective implementation of the project.

Criterion A.4: The request adequately describes how the project will contribute to building capacities at two levels. At the institutional level, it will strengthen the capacities of the staff from the Ministry of Culture and the National Commission to UNESCO through the various training workshops. At the community level, the project is expected to train almost 100 community members on the safeguarding and inventorying of intangible cultural heritage. The project will thus contribute to building long-term capacity for the safeguarding of living heritage, for professionals involved in the field of intangible cultural heritage safeguarding, as well as for youth and community leaders.

Criterion A.5: The requesting State will contribute 13 per cent of the total amount of the project budget (US$114,585). Consequently, International Assistance is requested from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for the remaining 87 per cent of the total amount of the project budget.

Criterion A.6: Through the project, the implementing agency and its partners are expected to set up a sustainable framework for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage in Rwanda. The elaboration of the first national inventory will result in the identification of elements for potential inclusion. Through the development of the inventory, the project should raise awareness about the importance of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage among the population while contributing to their pride in its recognition.

Criterion A.7: The requesting State 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 is national in scope and its implementation involves national and local partners, including the Ministry of Culture and district administrations.

Paragraph 10(b): The project is expected to promote safeguarding measures for living heritage practices to be identified through inventorying, supported by the involvement of the communities.

7. Approves the International Assistance request from Rwanda for the project entitled Elaboration of an inventory of national intangible cultural heritage and grants the amount of US$99,230 to the requesting State for this purpose;
8. 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 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;
9. Invites the requesting State to use Form ICH-04-Report to report on the use of the assistance granted.