Convention for the Safeguarding of ICH

　　2. Without prejudice to the provisions of their national legislation and customary law and practices, the States Parties recognize that the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage is of general interest to humanity, and to that end undertake to cooperate at the bilateral, subregional, regional and international levels.

　　Article 20 - Purposes of international assistance

　　International assistance may be granted for the following purposes:

　　(a) the safeguarding of the heritage inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding;

　　(b) the preparation of inventories in the sense of Articles 11 and 12;

　　(c) support for programmes, projects and activities carried out at the national, subregional and regional levels aimed at the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage;

　　(d) any other purpose the Committee may deem necessary.

　　Article 21 - Forms of international assistance

　　The assistance granted by the Committee to a State Party shall be governed by the operational directives foreseen in Article 7 and by the agreement referred to in Article 24, and may take the following forms:

　　(a) studies concerning various aspects of safeguarding;

　　(b) the provision of experts and practitioners;

　　(c) the training of all necessary staff;

　　(d) the elaboration of standard-setting and other measures;

　　(e) the creation and operation of infrastructures;

　　(f) the supply of equipment and know-how;

　　(g) other forms of financial and technical assistance, including, where appropriate, the granting of low-interest loans and donations.