Six new International Assistance projects supported by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund

9 de junio de 2026

The third meeting of the Bureau of the twenty-first session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (composed of Spain, Ukraine, Haiti, Zambia and Algeria) took place on 9 June 2026. The meeting was chaired by H.E. Mr GAO Zheng, Vice-Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China.

A total amount of just over US$320,000 has been granted from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for three Preparatory Assistance requests and three requests for International Assistance that were examined and approved by the Bureau.

The three preparatory assistance projects will enable Eswatini, Morocco and Samoa to prepare nomination files for the possible inscription of elements on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, as follows:

• Eswatini is granted US$10,000 to prepare the nomination of Raising a child according to the traditions and customs of emaSwati.
• Morocco is granted US$10,000 to prepare the nomination of Knowledge and skills associated with khettaras.
• Samoa is granted US$8,049 to prepare the nomination of Tatau Samoa (traditional Samoan tattooing).

In addition, three International Assistance requests were approved to support the following safeguarding projects:

• Iraq received a grant of US$99,840 for a project entitled Safeguarding Iraqi Santur: craftsmanship, performance and transmission. The Santur is a musical instrument associated with the art of Iraqi maqam, an element inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008.
• Syrian Arab Republic received a grant of US$99,700 for a project entitled Safeguarding and transmission of traditional Syrian glassblowing skills. This project seeks to enhance the viability of Traditional Syrian glassblowing, an element inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in 2023.
• Tanzania (United Republic of) received a grant of US$100,000 for a project entitled Strengthening national capacities for community-based inventorying and safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage in the United Republic of Tanzania. This project will build on the results and achievements of the recently completed capacity-building project implemented between 2022 and 2024 which aimed at strengthening the capacities at the national and local levels for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.

In line with UNESCO’s global priorities, the six approved projects include one benefiting a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), three to be implemented in Africa, and two contributing to post-conflict recovery through the safeguarding of living heritage elements.

The Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund provides dedicated resources for States Parties to implement a wide range of programmes, projects and activities dedicated to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, such as community-based inventorying, awareness-raising or specific activities such as safeguarding living heritage in emergencies.

• IraqMarruecosSamoaEswatiniRepública Árabe SiriaRepública Unida de Tanzania