Organized as part of the annual work plan of the Regional Centre for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in South-Eastern Europe under the auspices of UNESCO based in Sofia, Bulgaria, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye, the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO, and the Traditional Arts Association. The workshop aims to strengthen the role of museums in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, in line with the 2003 Convention.

Traditionally oriented toward the curation of tangible artifacts, museums are increasingly positioned as dynamic agents in the safeguarding of living heritage, particularly through participatory and community-based methodologies. Central to this role is the practice of inventorying – not merely as a technical exercise in documentation, but as a collaborative, reflexive process involving living heritage bearers and practitioners.

Through case studies, discussions, and fieldwork, museum professionals will gain practical skills and a deeper understanding of the 2003 Convention’s key concepts. Participants will explore ethical and practical approaches to inventorying, emphasizing free, prior, and informed consent, and the need to respect the dynamic, evolving nature of living heritage.

By the end of the workshop, participants will be equipped with strategies and skills to support community-based inventorying of intangible cultural heritage and understand how to develop safeguarding plans that align with international standards and local needs. The goal is to foster more inclusive, ethical, and collaborative heritage work within the museum sector.