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. 02078 submitted by Peru,
3. Takes note that Peru has requested International Assistance for the project entitled Strengthening and promotion of the intergenerational transmission of knowledge and meanings related to the production of traditional pottery in Checca Pupuja, Puno:

To be implemented by the UNESCO Office in Lima in cooperation with the Intangible Heritage Directorate of the Ministry of Culture of Peru, this eighteen-month project aims to promote the intergenerational transmission of the knowledge and techniques related to traditional Checca Pupuja pottery. One of the main aspects related to the importance of this pottery is that it fulfils three main functions: utilitarian, decorative and ceremonial. The associated practices of the Checca Pupuja pottery are disappearing. The project involves carrying out a study to update the meanings associated with the pottery production process. It also entails recognizing masters and apprentices and analyzing their production capacities. Moreover, it will identify opportunities to strengthen the production processes and support local and regional economic exchange. Three paid pottery masters will facilitate a workshop to increase the capacities of youth to safeguard and produce traditional pottery. The workshop will include a combination of theoretical and practical modules addressing the history, meanings and values of traditional pottery and its production and commercialization. The project also entails publishing and disseminating educational materials to promote traditional Checca Pupuja pottery in family and community spaces. The project is expected to contribute to the safeguarding of traditional pottery production and its transmission to younger generations. It will serve as a pilot for similar projects in other locations while promoting the economic revitalization of the heritage sector in the southern Andean region.

4. Further takes note that:
   1. This assistance is to support a project implemented at the national level, in accordance with Article 20 (c) of the Convention;
   2. The State Party has requested International Assistance that will take the form of services from the Secretariat to the State; and

• The assistance therefore takes the form of the provision of services from UNESCO (100 per cent of the financial transactions are to be managed by UNESCO), pursuant to Article 21 (b) and (g) of the Convention;

5. Also takes note that Peru has requested assistance in the amount of US$99,275 from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for the implementation of this project, which will be implemented by the UNESCO Office in Lima, in close cooperation with the Intangible Heritage Directorate of the Ministry of Culture of Peru;
6. Understands that the UNESCO Office in Lima will be responsible for the management of the total amount requested from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund, while the requesting State will be responsible for co-managing the project by renting premises for communication, hiring communication staff, and providing an intangible cultural heritage and museums specialist from the Ministry of Culture of Peru. All the above activities will be financed by the requesting State;
7. Decides that, from the information provided in file no. 02078, 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 concerns practitioners and artisans of the community of Checca Pupuja associated with the production of traditional pottery in the district of Jose Domingo Choquehuanca, province of Azángaro, department of Puno. A series of community workshops took place for the establishment of a safeguarding plan in 2018, and for the preparation of the request between 2020 and 2022. Furthermore, the main beneficiaries of the project are the practitioners and artisans of these traditional practices as well as future apprentices, who will also have an active role throughout the implementation and monitoring of the project.

Criterion A.2: The budget breakdown and the proposed timetable are well structured and in line with the activities described in the request. The amount of assistance requested is deemed appropriate.

Criterion A.3: The proposed activities are coherent and well-planned in terms of the objectives and expected results of the project. The project is structured around three main activities: (a) identifying the meanings related to the production and using of the traditional pottery of Checca Pupuja; (b) capacity building to strengthen the learning of the history and production of traditional pottery among Checca Pupuja youth; and (c) publication and dissemination of educational materials.

Criterion A.4: The project occurs at the community level, strengthening the skills of master potters and young apprentices, who will acquire the tools and technical skills to continue working at school and in family workshops. As a result, practitioners will guarantee the transmission of knowledge to new generations.

Criterion A.5: The requesting State will contribute 21 per cent (including in-kind contributions) of the total amount of the project budget (US$126,095). Consequently, International Assistance is requested from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for the remaining 79 per cent of the total amount of the project budget.

Criterion A.6: Through its co-management strategy with community members and state institutions, the project takes a transversal approach to building the capacity of the bearers and stakeholders to strengthen traditional knowledge and techniques associated with the meanings and production of ceramics in Checca Pupuja, ensuring its transmission to future generations. Moreover, the project will contribute to the strengthening of pottery masters’ and youth’s skills for transmitting knowledge in new workspaces such as schools and for developing educational tools. The project is expected to involve 12 participants in the capacity building and learning workshop. The publication and dissemination of educational materials aim to target children and adolescents; in addition, the texts will be translated in Quechua to reach out broadly to community members.

Criterion A.7: Peru has benefited from International Assistance from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for one completed project.[1] The work stipulated by the contract related to this project was carried out in compliance with UNESCO’s regulations.

Paragraph 10(a): The project is local in scope and its implementation involves the Checca Pupuja community, national partners, the Ministry of Culture, the National Museums Office and local authorities.

Paragraph 10(b): The project is expected to contribute to safeguarding traditional pottery production and its transmission to younger generations, as well as to the economic revitalization of the heritage sector in the southern Andean region of Peru, which has been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the project, the implementing agency will seek to generate private sector participation strategies to stimulate new financial contributions that will strengthen the project results.

8. Approves the International Assistance request from Peru for the project entitled Strengthening and promotion of the intergenerational transmission of knowledge and meanings related to the production of traditional pottery in Checca Pupuja, Puno and grants the amount of US$99,275 for the implementation of this project according to the modality described in paragraphs 5 and 6;
9. Recommends that the requesting State ensures the involvement of the communities concerned throughout the implementation of the project and in particular in the activity that aims to update the meanings related to the production and use of the traditional pottery of Checca Pupuja;
10. 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 justify the expenditures;
11. Invites the requesting State to use Form ICH-04-Report to report on the use of the assistance granted.

[1] Preparatory assistance (Register of Good Safeguarding Practices) for the multinational (Plurinational State of Bolivia, Chile, Peru) project entitled ‘Aymara Cultural Universe’ (US$7,500; February – April 2009).