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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Regional Office in Bangkok (UNESCO Bangkok) is seeking a contractor to mainstream the indigenous Field School model developed under a UNESCO-supported project “Field School for Capacity-building in Safeguarding Living Heritage of Ethnic Communities in Thailand”, with the view to contributing to sustainable development among ethnic communities in protected areas in Thailand.

The project 'Field School for Capacity-building in Safeguarding Living Heritage of Ethnic Communities in Thailand' (2023-25) has been a pilot initiative supported by UNESCO International Assistance Fund for Intangible Cultural Heritage to the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, Ministry of Culture, Thailand.

The project was undertaken within an overall vision to sustain the lifeways of minority ethnic groups, especially those living in Protected Areas, in order to promote their identity and self-sufficiency based on their living heritage, while also contributing to the sustainable management of natural resources and the environment. 

The 'Field School' pilot project has developed a capacity-building model for ethnic communities to link their cultural diversity with the conservation of biodiversity in protected areas where they live, through inventorying and safeguarding activities. The project was piloted in 7 ethnic communities of Karen (Pgakenyaw and Pwo) and Chao Lay or sea nomads (Mogan, Moglan and Urak Lawoi) from Northern to Southern Thailand. 

The Field School model has been developed as a platform for delivering the following components: 

1. Organizing hands-on training for ethnic communities as well as government staff and development workers in safeguarding living heritage of ethnic communities related to cultural diversity and biodiversity; 
2. Implementing fieldwork activities related to:
   1. inventorying and transmitting the living heritage related to cultural diversity and biodiversity,
   2. developing safeguarding plans for living heritage of ethnic communities in designated or potential "Special Cultural Zones", and
   3. undertaking field visits between different ethnic groups for them to exchange knowledge and build networks; 
3. Undertaking public communication and advocacy activities; 
4. Producing technical and policy guidance.

Following the initial achievements of the pilot phase, UNESCO in collaboration with the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre are now seeking to expand the pilot 'Field School' model to other ethnic groups and other protected areas in Thailand, by deepening the involvement of ethnic minority organizations. This is with a view to establishing the Field School as (i) a intergenerational platform for knowledge sharing and capacity building within minority ethnic communities, as well as (ii) an open platform for exchange between minority ethnic communities and government staff and development workers.  Institutionalizing the Field School in a long-term sustainable manner with ownership by minority ethnic organizations will be consistent with the aims of the draft Act on Protection and Promotion of the Way of Life of Ethnic Groups, currently being promulgated.

The contractor will undertake the mainstreaming of the indigenous Field School model developed under the UNESCO-supported pilot project 'Field School for Capacity-building in Safeguarding Living Heritage of Ethnic Communities in Thailand', with the view to contributing to sustainable development among ethnic communities in Protected Areas, as follows:

1) Adapt the Field School approach, in particular, community-based transmission of living heritage that links cultural diversity and biodiversity, by organizing 'Field School Youth Camps' in at least 2 minority ethnic communities. These youth camps will encourage young people in their teens and early 20s to return home, promote an appreciation of the local cultural and natural assets, encourage intergenerational exchange, and build practical skills. This will entail organizing the following activities:

• Mentoring participants to identify and document at least one living heritage practice related to cultural diversity and biodiversity. This should adapt the documentation tools and training approaches developed by the Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre (SAC) and Chulalongkorn University Social Research Institute (CUSRI). The acquired documentation related to the indigenous knowledge may be stored in SAC’s Community Archives per consent of concerned community members;
• Conducting hands-on 'learning by doing' activities between youth and older generation to transmit the knowledge and practical skills associated with these documented living heritage practices in a field-based setting;
• Facilitating participants to brainstorm how to incorporate these living heritage practices into safeguarding plans for cultural diversity and biodiversity, for instance, in declared or proposed Special Cultural Zones. This may involve consultations with other external stakeholders, such as Protected Area officials and development workers.

2) Develop a sustainable model for institutionalizing this indigenous Field School in a long-term manner, by leveraging relevant laws and consulting indigenous organizations and other relevant stakeholders.  The model should comprise as follows:

• Institutional model for undertaking the Field School as a regular capacity-building and networking activity, with primary ownership by ethnic organizations.  This should aim to regularly produce batches of ethnic trainees/alumni that will eventually form a national network covering various ethnic groups around the country. The model should identify the responsible organizations with relevant capacity and mandate; their respective roles; relevant legal/regulatory framework; and an action plan for putting this Field School into action;
• Financial model which may rely on complimentary funding from national or international organizations.

• By 10 April 2025, a workplan for 'Field School Youth Camps' and consultations on how to institutionalize the 'Field School';
• By 31 July 2025, an interim report on activities that have been implemented, including teaching/communication materials produced and consultations conducted;
• By 30 November 2025, a final report on activities that have been implemented and proposal for institutional and financial models of the Field School.

Thailand

• Minimum 10 years of experience in implementing projects among ethnic communities and/or  Protected Areas in Thailand;
• Have extensive networks and a relevant mandate related to promoting ethnic groups in Thailand;
• Have on-site staff to oversee administration and logistical arrangement of capacity-building activities.

• Able to coordinate and communicate effectively in Thai, English and relevant ethnic languages;
• Be familiar with national and international statutory frameworks and principles related to indigenous rights, cultural diversity and biodiversity;
• Be familiar with staff and procedures of local authorities and different departments under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (with profile of past cooperation projects / activities, if possible).

Interested organizations are invited to submit to UNESCO Bangkok the application package including

• Institutional profile,
• A technical proposal illustrating how the tasks will be carried out,
• A detailed financial proposal indicating rate per unit.

Application package is to be sent no later than 17 March 2025, 18:00 Bangkok time (GMT+7).

To the attention of:

Chief of Culture Unit
UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok
Email: culture.bgk(at)unesco.org

Only short-listed companies/organizations will be contacted.

#CallForProposals #LivingHeritage