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/24/19.COM 2.BUR/3 as well as International Assistance request no. 02226 submitted by Bangladesh,
3. Takes note that Bangladesh has requested International Assistance for the project entitled Implementing community-based he]ritage festivals in eight administrative divisions of Bangladesh:

To be implemented by the Bangladesh National Museum, this two-year project aims at implementing community-based and -led intangible cultural heritage festivals across eight administrative divisions of Bangladesh. The project is a collaborative effort between the Bangladesh National Museum and the Consortium for ICH-pedia in Bangladesh. It will focus on safeguarding, promoting and transmitting the living heritage of eight communities through capacity building, research and intergenerational knowledge sharing. For each division, the activities include awareness-raising among local practitioners, performers and other stakeholders; documentation on the elements concerned; and capacity-building workshops to raise awareness on the 2003 Convention. After each festival, review sessions and workshops will allow the participating communities to share their perspectives on project achievements and to discuss lessons learned and sustainability measures for future events. The project is expected to ensure the continued celebration and protection of Bangladesh’s diverse cultural heritage, particularly as it will also result in the comprehensive documentation of the living heritage elements featured in the festivals. In addition, it will build lasting partnerships between the organizations, communities and stakeholders involved in the project and empower local communities and community leaders to organize future 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 Bangladesh has requested an allocation of US$99,700 from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for the implementation of the project;
6. Decides that, from the information provided in file no. 02226, 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 is the result of a long consultation process with the communities concerned, conducted in 2021 during the inventorying of their living heritage. The following communities were consulted and involved in the elaboration of the request: Chakma, Marma, Tripura and Rakhain communities; Gidree Bawlee community; Hajong community; Manashamangal community; Monipuri community; Motua community; Rowing and Santhal communities. They are described in the request as small ethnic minority groups facing social challenges. The project emphasizes the central and active role of the communities throughout its implementation, from the planning to the monitoring stages. In addition, a steering committee will be established to manage the project. It will be composed of staff from the Bangladesh National Museum, the Consortium for ICH-pedia, local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and eight community representatives.

Criterion A.2: The budget is well structured, and the project costs are clearly explained. The amount of assistance requested is appropriate for the proposed activities.

Criterion A.3: The project consists of six activities that are described in detail: (a) the establishment of the project management structure; (b) the organization of the community festivals; (c) capacity-building workshops on the 2003 Convention; (d) documentation and research on the community festivals; (e) a workshop to identify the needs to maintain the viability of the festivals and develop safeguarding measures, and (f) the production of awareness-raising and communication materials. The proposed activities are well conceived in relation to the objectives and expected results of the project.

Criterion A.4: The requesting State Party is seeking to develop a multi-stakeholder approach to safeguarding the country’s eight festivals by creating a network amongst the communities concerned, the governmental staff and NGOs working in the field of intangible cultural heritage, both at the local and national levels. This partnership will be maintained beyond the completion of the project and will lay the foundation for a solid collaboration to safeguard and promote intangible cultural heritage at the national level. Through capacity-building and empowerment, community leaders and practitioners will be able to continue organizing their festivals and perpetuating their social practices, rituals, and festive events, avoiding the risk of their disappearance. Finally, the production and dissemination of various communication materials will raise awareness among civil society and different stakeholders of the importance of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, thus increasing the visibility and viability of these elements.

Criterion A.5: The requesting State Party will contribute 12 per cent (US$13,200) of the total amount of the project budget (US$112,900). Consequently, International Assistance is requested from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for the remaining 88 per cent of the total amount of the project.

Criterion A.6: The project will significantly contribute to building local and national capacities to safeguard intangible cultural heritage. A total of eight workshops would be organized to target each community: nearly eighty community representatives and staff from local NGOs will benefit from training on the 2003 Convention adapted to the local context. The festivals will enable community members to transmit their knowledge and skills to future generations through traditional crafts, performing arts, ritual practices and storytelling. They will also enable other members of the community to have a better understanding of the historical, social and cultural significance inherent in each festival. Covering a large part of the country, the project will enable over five hundred people to participate in the festivals and other activities during its implementation.

Criterion A.7: The requesting State Party has not previously received any financial assistance from UNESCO under the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund of the 2003 Convention to implement activities in the field of intangible cultural heritage.

Paragraph 10(a): The project is national in scope and involves cooperation with a wide range of national and local NGOs and community organizations in various divisions of the country.

Paragraph 10(b): The communication and educational materials developed during the project will serve to raise awareness among communities and the general public of the importance of safeguarding the eight festivals of Bangladesh, thus contributing to their recognition at the national level.

7. Notes with interest that the activities planned under the request would contribute to promoting and celebrating the diversity of minority cultures;
8. Approves the International Assistance request from Bangladesh for the project entitled Implementing community-based heritage festivals in eight administrative divisions of Bangladesh, and grants the amount of US$99,700 for the implementation of this project;
9. Requests that the Secretariat reach an agreement with the requesting State Party 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 Party to use Form ICH-04-Report to report on the use of the assistance granted.