Partners and Funding

Sinds 2018 tapis plein ngo has transformed into Werkplaats immaterieel erfgoed (Workshop intangible heritage). Werkplaats immaterieel erfgoed builds on the experience and work of tapis plein NGO. 

Founded in 2003, NGO tapis plein is recognized and funded as a Centre of Expertise within the Flemish Policy for Cultural Heritage. The organization has its focus on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and heritage participation. Tapis plein is known for its commitment, development and sharing of expertise in this field. The organisation has been accredited in 2012 as expert organization in the framework of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of ICH (2003). By its initiatives, tapis plein tackles challenges of active dialogue, cultural diversity and sustainable development related to ICH. Tapis plein builds bridges, makes connections and translations between government, civil society and ICH communities and groups. Tapis plein commits itself in strengthening networks and cooperation, internationally and cross-sectoral. In 2011 tapis plein won the Flemish Award for Cultural Heritage. Tapis plein also is active in the international ICH NGO Forum, in the Commission for ICH in Flanders and The Netherlands, and in the UNESCO Commission in Belgium.

With more than 800 institutional members, the Swiss Museums Association represents the interests of all museums in Switzerland towards the authorities and the public. It promotes contacts between institutions and partners, sets museum standards and serves as a forum for a professional exchange of ideas and experiences. The Swiss Museums Association was founded in 1966 as a merger of the museums of Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. In 1996, together with the Federal Office for Culture and Swiss Tourism, it initiated the Swiss museum pass. The Swiss Museums Association is a partner of ICOM Switzerland, the Swiss national committee of the International Council of Museums.

Maison des Culturel du Monde - The Centre Français du Patrimoine Cultural Immatériel (MCM-CFPCI) is committed to promoting cultural diversity and intangible cultural heritage. It welcomes traditional performing arts, publishes recordings of traditional music and an annual revue, organises professional training and scientific symposia. The MCM is an accredited NGO to provide advisory services to the Intergouvernemental Committee of UNESCO for the safeguarding of ICH. Its international resource centre, hosting collections of archives and objects is located in Brittany. In accordance with the UNECSO 2003 Convention ratified by the French government, the Ministry for Culture has designated this centre as a competent body for the safeguarding of the ICH on the national territory (French Center for ICH i.e. CFPCI). Dedicated to raising awareness and debating on living heritage (exhibitions, workshops, conferences), the CFPCI is an intermediary providing expertise to the government and information to the communities through intensive networking.

SIMBDEA (società italiana per la museografia e i beni demoetnoantropologici) puts the anthropological perspective and ethnographic methodologies at the service of the documentation, production, enhancement and dissemination of multiple informed views on museums and (tangible and intangible) heritage, seen as the crucial sites where to engage in activities of intercultural education, shared cultural production, and experimental practices of representation. It promotes a broad and unitary vision of heritage, with no distinction between its tangible and intangible expression. In 2012, SIMBDEA-ICH was created: an internal division specifically dedicated to intangible cultural heritage. SIMBDEA works to strengthen and update communities' theoretical and methodological tools, shares anthropological knowledge and ethnographic experience, and advocates (at the national and international level) for the safeguarding and enhancing of cultural heritage and the respect of both its bearers and professionals.

The Dutch Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage (Kenniscentrum Immaterieel Erfgoed Nederland) is a centre of expertise for intangible heritage safeguarding in the Netherlands. It coordinates the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Netherlands. This inventory is a tool to help communities, groups and individuals in their intangible heritage safeguarding efforts. It is a centre of expertise for the communities and has also an important advisory function to the Dutch government. Its main task is, apart from assisting the communities and raising awareness within Dutch society, to develop safeguarding methodologies, set up a research agenda, and reflect on all kind of issues connected with intangible heritage. As a network institution it cooperates with other heritage institutions, nationally and internationally, for instance in connection with the ICH-NGO Forum of NGOs accredited with the UNESCO Convention for the safeguarding of the intangible heritage.

The ICH NGO Forum is the platform for communication, networking, exchange and cooperation for NGOs accredited by UNESCO to provide advisory services to the Intergovernmental Committee in the framework of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

NGOs are a pillar for the safeguarding of the World’s living traditions, together with the holders of these traditions and the States. The Forum also welcomes NGOs that are active in the field of ICH and are in the process of accreditation. The ICH NGO Forum organizes meetings and symposia on shared international challenges in the safeguarding policies and practices of ICH, and is particularly committed to follow the implementation and the evolution of the 2003 Convention. Periodic meetings take place simultaneously with the sessions of the Convention’s General Assembly (every two years in June) and of the Intergovernmental Committee (annually in December).

The International Council of Museums (ICOM), created in 1946, is a non-governmental organisation maintaining formal relations with UNESCO. ICOM is the only global organisation of museums and museum professionals, committed to the promotion and protection of natural and cultural heritage, present and future, tangible and intangible. With more than 37,000 members in 137 countries, ICOM is a network of museum professionals acting in a wide range of museum-and heritage-related disciplines. Among other activities, ICOM supports the International Journal of Intangible Heritage, an academic journal dedicated to the promotion of the understanding of all aspects of the intangible heritage, and the communication of research and examples of good professional practice.

The Network of European Museum Organisations (NEMO) was founded in 1992 as an independent network of national museum organisations representing the museum community of the member states of the Council of Europe. Together, the network speaks for over 30.000 museums across Europe. NEMO’s mission is to ensure museums are an integral part of European life by promoting their work and value to policy makers and by providing museums with information, networking and opportunities for co-operation.