91�鶹������Ʒ����

As part of the EU-funded project “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” (CC4WBs), UNESCO organised the capacity-building programme “Fostering Living Heritage Safeguarding in the Western Balkans”, aimed to strengthen the knowledge of culture and creative practitioners from the region on the core principles of intangible cultural heritage.

From 17 January to 14 February 2025, a training consisting of 5 online weekly sessions was conducted; the programme was facilitated by Panayiota Andrianopoulou, member of UNESCO’s Global network of facilitators under the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), in close collaboration with UNESCO. This initiative not only raised awareness about the importance of safeguarding living heritage but also fostered innovation and creativity on ICH-based crafts for local sustainable development. 

The sessions explored the main principles of the 2003 Convention, while also addressing key contemporary issues and UNESCO’s thematic initiatives. Topics comprised the economic dimensions of living heritage and its role in local sustainable development, sustainable cultural tourism, safeguarding ICH in emergency contexts, as well as the development of effective safeguarding plans and measures to tackle emerging challenges.

Thirty participants from a variety of backgrounds, including UNESCO grantees within the CC4WBs project, civil society organisations, including NGOs accredited under the 2003 Convention, researchers, artists, and cultural heritage professionals, actively engaged in the discussions. Bringing together such a varied group created new networks and bolstered existing ones, fostered meaningful exchanges of knowledge, and strengthened regional cooperation among experts and practitioners in the field. 

The training offered an inclusive learning environment through open discussions, hands-on exercises based on real case studies, and collaborative group work. The activities stimulated critical thinking and active engagement, fostering a safe and supportive space for meaningful debate. Participants remained actively involved in the discussions, both during the training and through a dedicated Padlet platform, reflecting their strong commitment to the topics covered.

Participants reflected that the training created a space to consider different perspectives: “The session provided valuable insights through high-quality examples, which will be beneficial for our future work,” said Hazim Osmanović, manager of the Cultural and Artistic Association (CAA) "Puračić" in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This exchange empowered participants, equipping them with the tools to overcome the challenges of safeguarding living heritage, as Alexandra Kuzman, Senior Research Associate of traditional musical instruments at the National Institute of Folklore "Marko Cepenkov" (North Macedonia), stressed: “This wonderful session was really motivating and inspiring, and led to the emergence of several intriguing ideas for implementation.” 

Building on the success of these sessions, UNESCO is planning a final presential workshop to allow participants to apply the theoretical knowledge into real life situations and further strengthen the community of practitioners committed to safeguarding living heritage. The workshop, to be organised in September, aims to pursue the overall objective of ensuring that cultural traditions remain vibrant and relevant for future generations, while continuing to serve as a vital resource for sustainable development and a catalyst for cultural diversity across the Western Balkans.