1. Context

In the context of Decisions 18.COM 11 and 19.COM 10 of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Living Heritage Entity (Secretariat of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage) is tasked to establish an online platform for sharing good safeguarding experiences (hereinafter “Article 18 platform”). The Article 18 platform will seek to provide an online space for communities and other stakeholders of the 2003 Convention to share, exchange, follow-up, collaborate and build capacities about good safeguarding experiences, with a view of serving as a tool and source of inspiration for people seeking advice in the field of living heritage safeguarding (further information available on document LHE/24/19.COM/10).

In this context, it is crucial to ensure that safeguarding experiences are indexed and easily searchable using a comprehensive set of identification tags, including but not limited to: i) safeguarding needs; ii) types of measures and methodologies; iii) domains of the intangible cultural heritage involved; iv) context of implementation; v) relation to UNESCO’s thematic initiatives and priority groups; vi) linkages with sustainable development; and vii) thematic areas of the Convention’s Overall Results Framework.

As regards thematic initiatives and priority groups mentioned above, the Article 18 platform is meant to generate detailed information with focus on various themes, to be supported by separate initiatives. A case in point is the ongoing project “International food atlas and digital platform for safeguarding, promoting and transmitting foodways to future generations”. Funded by the Ministry of Culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this project aims to raise global awareness on foodways as intangible cultural heritage, and their interlinkages with community well-being and sustainable development, by highlighting good safeguarding experiences from diverse regions worldwide.

Other thematic initiatives may concern domain-based categories (e.g. dance traditions, festivals, traditional knowledge, etc.), or issues-based categories (e.g. climate change, economic dimensions of living heritage, living heritage in urban contexts, etc.), while priority groups may concern the needs of targeted communities (e.g. African and African Descent communities, communities in Small Islands and Developing States, Indigenous Peoples, Youth, groups with special needs, etc.). In the first instance, a priority will be given to foodways as a test case for thematic initiatives.

The overarching Article 18 platform, including a thematic focus on foodways is expected to be developed, with a “beta version” ready by October 2025.

Therefore, the Living Heritage Entity is looking for qualified experts or organizations to initiate the technical groundwork for establishing the Article 18 platform and within it, the foodways thematic focus.

2. Work Assignment

The selected expert or organization shall undertake the following activities:

2.1. Conduct research, desk review, and consultations with concerned UNESCO units and relevant stakeholders, to map existing online databases and/or platforms and digital marketing initiatives in the field of environmental sustainability, agriculture, culture and/or heritage. This deliverable shall include at least two rounds of revisions, and the format will be discussed with UNESCO. The final deliverable shall include the following:

• A benchmarking of existing online databases and/or platforms that allow for interaction with, and communication and contributions from the users;
• A comparative analysis specifying the different levels and types of interaction, as well as potentialities and limitations for each of the online databases and/or platforms identified.

2.2. Based on the approved mapping, propose the structure for the development of the Article 18 platform, including the foodways thematic focus within it, specifying setups for enhancing synergies, and interaction with other existing platforms currently hosted at the webpage of the 2003 Convention, so as to improving overall coherence (such existing platforms include: Dive into intangible cultural heritage, Clearing house on living heritage and education, Learning platform for safeguarding living heritage, Platform on living heritage experiences and COVID-19 pandemic, Sustainable development toolbox). This deliverable shall include at least two rounds of revisions, and the format will be discussed with UNESCO;

2.3. Based on the approved structure, propose a draft set of technical specifications and requirements for developing the Article 18 platform, including recommendations for web architecture, indexation, illustration, level of interactivity, and emerging digital technologies for content management. The proposed specifications shall be in line with the requirements set by UNESCO’s Bureau for Digital Business Solutions. This deliverable shall include at least two rounds of revisions, and the format will be discussed with UNESCO;

2.4. Support UNESCO in the organization of a technical meeting with relevant stakeholders to review and gather inputs on the proposed draft set of technical specifications and requirements;

2.5. Draft a final document reflecting the overall vision for developing the Article 18 platform, including its final set of technical specifications and requirements for web architecture, indexation, illustration, level of interactivity and content management, incorporating the recommendations from the technical meeting. This deliverable shall include at least two rounds of revisions, and the format will be discussed with UNESCO;

2.6. Develop a plan for knowledge and asset transfer to UNESCO for the long-term running and sustainability of the platform, with detailed guidance on the establishment of a functional back end for the platform, modalities for continuously populating it, and possibilities for future integration into other UNESCO platforms. This deliverable shall include at least two rounds of revisions, and the format will be discussed with UNESCO.

3. Timetable

All products are expected to be delivered over a period of twenty weeks, according to the following schedule:

• 1) Mapping of existing online databases/platforms, including benchmarking and comparative analysis. In 4 weeks
• 2) Proposal for the structure for the development of the Article 18 platform, including the foodways thematic focus, specifying setups for enhancing synergies with other existing platforms hosted at the webpage of the 2003 Convention. In 8 weeks
• 3) Draft set of technical specifications and requirements for developing the Article 18 platform for the review and feedback from relevant stakeholders. In 10 weeks
• 4) Final document with the overall vision and final set of technical specifications and requirements for developing the Article 18 platform, incorporating feedback from the technical meeting. In 16 weeks
• 5) Plan for knowledge and asset transfer for the long-term sustainability of the Art 18 platform. In 20 weeks

4. Qualifications required

Applicants shall have the following qualifications:

• Attested experience in the successful implementation of international digital projects, including creation and designing of interactive assets for web;
• Excellent communication and writing skills in either English or French;
• Excellent organizational skills and proven ability to deliver products and services within deadlines;
• Knowledge of the 2003 Convention, and its listing mechanisms;
• Knowledge of the UNESCO Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms;
• Experience with projects relating cultural heritage to digital technologies will be considered as an asset.

5. Questions and answers

Questions and requests for clarification can be sent by email to l.peredo@unesco.org and ich@unesco.org by 11 March 2025 (midnight Paris time). Upon the receipt of enquires, both questions and respective answers will be shared with all applicants.

6. How to apply?

Applicants are invited to express their interest to carry out the above-mentioned work submitting proposals, in English or French, including:

• Curriculum vitae of individual or team undertaking the work assignment;
• Letter expressing interest and clearly identifying how the individual or team meets the required skills and experience;
• Indication, in US dollars or euros, of fees expectations.