UNESCO

19 January 2026

UNESCO, in collaboration with the State Department for Culture, the Arts and Heritage, the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, and the County Government of Uasin Gishu, hosted Community-Based Inventorying Workshop for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, bringing together over 150 participants including community representatives, national and local government officials, academia, media and youth.

Thanks to a generous contribution from the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund, UNESCO has been undertaking capacity-building activities on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in Kenya since 2022. The workshop was organised as part of the project “Strengthening national capacities for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and contributing to sustainable development in Kenya”, which supports Kenya in reinforcing institutional frameworks, enhancing community participation, and linking ICH safeguarding with sustainable development objectives.

Held from 9 to 11 December 2025, the workshop provided participants with hands-on experience using the ICH inventory form, a practical tool designed to support local communities in documenting their living heritage. These cultural practices are deeply rooted in daily life, yet increasingly at risk due to rapid modernisation and the growing impacts of climate change.