For a complete presentation of the procedures, please:
- refer to the Operational Directives and
- download nomination forms.
Inscription on the Urgent Safeguarding List
Criteria
In nomination files, the submitting State(s) Party(ies) is(are) requested to demonstrate that an element proposed for inscription on the Urgent Safeguarding List satisfies all of the following criteria:
- U.1 The element constitutes intangible cultural heritage as defined in Article 2 of the Convention.
- U.2
- a. The element is in urgent need of safeguarding because its viability is at risk despite the efforts of the community, group or, if applicable, individuals and State(s) Party(ies) concerned;
(or) - b. The element is in extremely urgent need of safeguarding because it is facing grave threats as a result of which it cannot be expected to survive without immediate safeguarding.
- a. The element is in urgent need of safeguarding because its viability is at risk despite the efforts of the community, group or, if applicable, individuals and State(s) Party(ies) concerned;
- U.3 Safeguarding measures are elaborated that may enable the community, group or, if applicable, individuals concerned to continue the practice and transmission of the element.
- U.4 The element has been nominated following the widest possible participation of the community, group or, if applicable, individuals concerned and with their free, prior and informed consent.
- U.5 The element is included in an inventory of the intangible cultural heritage present in the territory(ies) of the submitting State(s) Party(ies), as defined in Article 11 and Article 12 of the Convention.
- U.6 In cases of extreme urgency, the State(s) Party(ies) concerned has (have) been duly consulted regarding inscription of the element in conformity with Article 17.3 of the Convention.
Timetable and procedures
Phase 1: Preparation and submission
- 31 March Year 0
- Deadline for preparatory assistance requests for the elaboration of nominations.
- 31 March Year 1
- Deadline by which nominations must be received by the Secretariat. Files received after this date will be examined in the next cycle.
- 30 June Year 1
- Deadline by which the Secretariat will have processed the files, including registration and acknowledgement of receipt. If a file is found incomplete, the State Party is invited to complete the file.
- 30 September Year 1
- Deadline by which missing information required to complete the files, if any, shall be submitted by the State Party to the Secretariat. Files that remain incomplete are returned to the States Parties that may complete them fora subsequent cycle.
Phase 2: Evaluation
- December Year 1 - May Year 2
- Evaluation of the files by the Evaluation Body.
- April – June Year 2
- Meeting for final evaluation by the Evaluation Body.
- For weeks prior to the session of the Committee
- The files and evaluation reports are available on-line for consultation by States Parties.
Phase 3: Examination
- November/December Year 2
- The Committee examines the nominations and makes its decisions.
Inscription on the Representative List
Criteria
In nomination files, the submitting State(s) Party(ies) is (are) requested to demonstrate that an element proposed for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity satisfies all of the following criteria:
- R.1 The element constitutes intangible cultural heritage as defined in Article 2 of the Convention.
- R.2 Inscription of the element will contribute to ensuring visibility and awareness of the significance of the intangible cultural heritage and to encouraging dialogue, thus reflecting cultural diversity worldwide and testifying to human creativity.
- R.3 Safeguarding measures are elaborated that may protect and promote the element.
- R.4 The element has been nominated following the widest possible participation of the community, group or, if applicable, individuals concerned and with their free, prior and informed consent.
- R.5 The element is included in an inventory of the intangible cultural heritage present in the territory(ies) of the submitting State(s) Party(ies), as defined in Article 11 and Article 12 of the Convention.
Timetable and procedure
Phase 1: Preparation and submission
- 31 March Year 1
- Deadline by which nominations must be received by the Secretariat. Files received after this date will be examined in the next cycle.
- 30 June Year 1
- Deadline by which the Secretariat will have processed the files, including registration and acknowledgement of receipt. If a file is found incomplete, the State Party is invited to complete the file.
- 30 September Year 1
- Deadline by which missing information required to complete the file, if any, shall be submitted by the State Party to the Secretariat. Files that remain incomplete are returned to the States Parties that may complete them for a subsequent cycle.
Phase 2: Evaluation
- December Year 1 - May Year 2
- Evaluation of the nominations by the Evaluation Body.
- April - June Year 2
- Meeting for final evaluation by the Evaluation Body.
- Four weeks prior to the session of the Committee
- The nomination files and the evaluation reports are available on-line for consultation by States Parties.
Phase 3: Examination
- November/December Year 2
- The Committee examines the nominations and makes its decisions.
Selection of proposals for the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices
Criteria
From among the programmes, projects or activities proposed to the Committee by States Parties, only those that best satisfy the following criteria are selected:
| Criterion-1 | The programme, project or activity involves safeguarding, as defined in Article 2.3 of the Convention |
| Criterion-2 | The programme, project or activity promotes the coordination of efforts for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage on regional, subregional and/or international levels. |
| Criterion-3 | The programme, project or activity reflects the principles and objectives of the Convention. |
| Criterion-4 | If already completed, the programme, project or activity has demonstrated effectiveness in contributing to the viability of the intangible cultural heritage concerned. If still underway or planned, it can reasonably be expected to contribute substantially to the viability of the intangible cultural heritage concerned. |
| Criterion-5 | The programme, project or activity has been or will be implemented with the participation of the community, group or, if applicable, individuals concerned and with their free, prior and informed consent. |
| Criterion-6 | The programme, project or activity may serve as a subregional, regional or international model, as the case may be, for safeguarding activities. |
| Criterion-7 | The submitting State(s) Party(ies), implementing body(ies), and community, group or, if applicable, individuals concerned are willing to cooperate in the dissemination of best practices, if their programme, project or activity is selected. |
| Criterion-8 | The programme, project or activity features experiences that are susceptible to an assessment of their results. |
| Criterion-9 | The programme, project or activity is primarily applicable to the particular needs of developing countries. |
Timetable and procedures
Phase 1: Preparation and submission
- 31 March Year 0
- Deadline for preparatory assistance requests for the elaboration of proposals.
- 31 March Year 1
- Deadline by which proposals must be received by the Secretariat. Files received after this date will be examined in the next cycle.
- 30 June Year 1
- Deadline by which the Secretariat will have processed the files, including registration and acknowledgement of receipt. If a file is found incomplete, the State Party is invited to complete the file.
- 30 September Year 1
- Deadline by which missing information required to complete the files, if any, shall be submitted by the State Party to the Secretariat. Files that remain incomplete are returned to the States Parties that may complete them fora subsequent cycle.
Phase 2: Evaluation
- December Year 1 - May Year 2
- Evaluation of the files by the Evaluation Body.
- April – June Year 2
- Meeting for final evaluation by the Evaluation Body.
- Four weeks prior to the session of the Committee
- The files and evaluation reports are available on-line for consultation by States Parties.
Phase 3: Examination
- November/December Year 2
- The Committee examines the proposals and makes its decisions.