Deadline: 30-Apr-2026
The Jeonju International Awards for Promoting Intangible Cultural Heritage (JIAPICH) 2026 is inviting individuals and organizations worldwide to apply for recognition of their work in safeguarding and transmitting intangible cultural heritage (ICH). The award offers a total prize of USD 30,000, shared among 1 to 5 winners, along with a JIAPICH Plaque, to honor impactful, inclusive, and sustainable cultural preservation efforts.
JIAPICH 2026 at a Glance
The Jeonju International Awards for Promoting Intangible Cultural Heritage (JIAPICH) 2026 is a global award programme that celebrates outstanding efforts to protect, preserve, and transmit intangible cultural heritage across communities worldwide.
It recognizes both individuals and organizations that are actively working to ensure the continuity of cultural traditions, practices, knowledge systems, and community-based heritage expressions.
Key focus areas:
- Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) safeguarding
- Cultural preservation and transmission
- Community heritage protection
- Traditional knowledge and practices
- Cultural education and documentation
- Heritage governance systems
- Social cohesion through culture
- Inclusive and sustainable cultural development
What is JIAPICH 2026?
The Jeonju International Awards for Promoting Intangible Cultural Heritage (JIAPICH) is an international recognition platform created to highlight exemplary work in the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.
The award encourages model safeguarding practices in the global community and is open regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religion, race, age, gender, or other social, political, economic, or cultural orientation.
The programme is rooted in the Jeonju Declaration on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage, adopted in 2017, and aims to promote sustainable and collaborative approaches to cultural preservation.
Prize and Recognition
Selected winners will receive both financial and symbolic recognition for their contributions.
Award benefits:
- Total prize fund: USD 30,000
- Prize shared among 1 to 5 selected individuals or organizations
- JIAPICH Plaque awarded to winners
This recognition can help increase the visibility of cultural preservation initiatives and strengthen the global profile of successful safeguarding models.
Who is Eligible?
The award is open to individuals and organizations from anywhere in the world.
Eligible applicants include:
- Individual cultural practitioners
- Heritage advocates
- Community leaders
- Nonprofit organizations
- Cultural institutions
- Civil society groups
- Networks or collectives involved in heritage preservation
To be eligible, applicants should be actively engaged in:
- Protection of intangible cultural heritage
- Transmission of cultural knowledge and practices
- Community-based heritage safeguarding
- Documentation of cultural expressions
- Cultural education and awareness
- Collaborative or cooperative heritage initiatives
What Kind of Work Does JIAPICH Recognize?
The award recognizes impactful efforts that help ensure the continuity of intangible cultural heritage across generations and communities.
Examples of relevant work may include:
- Community-based safeguarding programmes
- Documentation and archiving of oral traditions
- Education or intergenerational learning initiatives
- Traditional craft or performance preservation
- Collaborative cultural revitalization projects
- Governance systems for heritage protection
- Cultural projects that strengthen identity and social cohesion
Priority areas of recognition include:
- Protection and transmission of intangible cultural heritage
- Establishment of governance systems for safeguarding heritage
- Strengthening social connection and collaboration through cultural work
- Exemplary activities that support sustainable and cooperative development in heritage preservation
Why This Award Matters
This award is important because intangible cultural heritage—such as traditions, rituals, oral expressions, craftsmanship, and community practices—can easily be lost without active safeguarding.
By recognizing successful models from around the world, JIAPICH helps promote stronger global awareness, community-led preservation, and sustainable cultural continuity.
Key benefits include:
- International recognition for cultural preservation work
- Increased visibility for heritage initiatives
- Support for inclusive and community-based safeguarding
- Stronger credibility for future partnerships or funding
- Promotion of long-term cultural sustainability
- Encouragement of innovation in heritage transmission
How Applications Are Evaluated
Applications are assessed based on the strength and impact of the applicant’s work in the field of intangible cultural heritage.
Key evaluation criteria include:
- Level of contribution to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage
- Efforts to establish governance frameworks or systems
- Ability to foster collaboration and social cohesion
- Demonstrated innovation in preservation methods
- Commitment to inclusivity and broad community engagement
- Evidence of long-term impact and sustainability
Projects that combine community participation, cultural continuity, and sustainable impact are likely to be especially competitive.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare a clear and well-documented submission that demonstrates the value and impact of their heritage safeguarding work.
Suggested application steps:
- Confirm your eligibility
Make sure you are an individual or organization actively involved in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. - Identify your strongest heritage initiative
Choose a project, programme, or body of work that clearly demonstrates cultural preservation and transmission. - Show community impact
Explain how your work benefits communities and helps maintain cultural continuity. - Highlight governance or collaboration elements
If relevant, show how your initiative builds systems, partnerships, or collective action. - Demonstrate innovation and inclusivity
Explain what makes your work unique, accessible, and sustainable. - Prepare supporting evidence
Include clear examples of activities, outcomes, recognition, or long-term influence. - Submit a strong, impact-focused application
Make the case for why your work represents a model safeguarding practice.
Tips for Applicants
To improve your chances:
- Focus on clear, measurable cultural impact
- Highlight community participation and ownership
- Show how the work supports transmission across generations
- Include evidence of collaboration or governance systems
- Emphasize inclusivity, innovation, and sustainability
- Use concrete examples rather than broad statements
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common errors:
- Describing cultural activities without showing real safeguarding impact
- Failing to explain how the work supports transmission of heritage
- Submitting vague claims without evidence of results
- Ignoring the importance of community collaboration
- Overlooking governance, structure, or long-term sustainability
- Focusing only on documentation without showing continuity or engagement
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who can apply for JIAPICH 2026?
The award is open to individuals and organizations worldwide working in the protection and transmission of intangible cultural heritage.
2. What is the total prize amount?
The total prize fund is USD 30,000.
3. How many winners will be selected?
The award will recognize 1 to 5 individuals or organizations.
4. What kind of work is eligible?
Eligible work includes activities related to safeguarding, transmitting, documenting, educating, or collaboratively protecting intangible cultural heritage.
5. Is the award only for organizations?
No. Both individuals and organizations can apply.
6. What does the evaluation focus on?
Applications are evaluated based on contribution to heritage safeguarding, governance systems, collaboration, innovation, inclusivity, and long-term impact.
7. Why is this award important?
It provides global recognition, visibility, and financial support for exemplary efforts that help preserve and sustain intangible cultural heritage across communities.
Final Takeaway
The Jeonju International Awards for Promoting Intangible Cultural Heritage (JIAPICH) 2026 is a valuable global opportunity for individuals and organizations dedicated to preserving and transmitting cultural traditions.
With a USD 30,000 prize fund, international recognition, and a strong focus on inclusive, innovative, and sustainable safeguarding practices, this award is an excellent platform for those making a meaningful impact in the field of intangible cultural heritage.
For more information, visit Jeonju Declaration on the Protection of ICH.