Under the guidance of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, the “Shared Vision” — Asian Heritage Sustainable Development Best Practices Initiative, jointly organized by the Asian Cultural Heritage Protection Fund of the China Cultural Heritage Conservation Foundation and the Asian Cultural Heritage Protection Alliance, and supported by organizations such as the Chinese Museums Association (CMA) and ICOMOS China, has officially launched and is now open for global submissions.
The “Shared Vision” initiative aims to identify and promote outstanding heritage conservation experiences across Asia, select and showcase exemplary practices in heritage protection and innovation, and support model projects through the Asian Cultural Heritage Protection Fund to further refine and develop best practices. It seeks to advance the implementation of sustainable development principles in cultural heritage protection throughout Asia.
What is “Shared Vision”?
· To build bridges among Asian civilizations and jointly create a shared future for our civilizations.
· To promote the implementation of sustainable development principles in cultural heritage protection across Asia, enabling world heritage to play a greater role in people’s lives and social development.
· To safeguard the valuable heritage of all ethnic groups and cultures, allowing them to present a vivid picture of interconnected Asian civilizations and a shared destiny to people around the world.
I. Eligibility Criteria
This initiative is primarily open to, but not limited to, cultural and mixed heritage sites in Asia that are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List or included on the Tentative List. It seeks outstanding cases implemented at heritage sites related to heritage protection, management, and sustainable development. Applications that integrate natural and cultural heritage are also welcome.
Submitted cases must demonstrate clear implementation outcomes at the time of application and must have been completed or reached a major milestone within the past five years.
II. Selection Criteria and Categories
Based on the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and UNESCO’s 2022 theme for the “next 50 years” of the World Heritage Convention, the initiative focuses on sustainable development of world heritage and solicits cases under five themes: collaboration and contribution, resilience enhancement, technological innovation, communication and education, and prosperity and development.
1.Collaboration and Contribution
Encourages outstanding international cooperation cases that embody the principles of “cooperation, sharing, and inheritance” in heritage protection and management.
Applicable directions include, but are not limited to, joint archaeological research, joint heritage nominations, conservation, heritage presentation, and international assistance.
2.Resilience Enhancement
Encourages cases that improve the ability of heritage sites to respond to known threats or unforeseen changes, undertake reconstruction and restoration after natural or human-induced disasters, and serve as models for enhancing resilience.
Applicable directions include disaster prevention and mitigation, post-disaster restoration, climate change response, capacity building, and management systems and tools.
3.Technological Innovation
Encourages cases that provide technological support for heritage conservation, promote cross-sector technology transfer, and achieve notable results in applying technology to protection, presentation, and management.
Applicable directions include technological conservation, heritage digitization, artificial intelligence applications, and digital empowerment.
4.Communication and Education
Encourages cases that use diverse communication and educational approaches to enhance public understanding and appreciation of heritage values and promote mutual respect and exchange among civilizations.
Applicable directions include exhibitions, public education, outreach, youth education, and audiovisual works.
5.Prosperity and Development
Encourages cases that improve livelihoods by promoting sustainable tourism or by leveraging heritage values to drive related industries and social development.
Applicable directions include community livelihoods, heritage tourism, cultural and creative industries, community development, and inclusive growth.
III. Award Categories
Cases must demonstrate outstanding performance in one or more of the five themes listed above. Based on merit, awards will be granted in three categories: 1–3 Outstanding Cases, 1–6 Progressive Cases, and 1–3 Special Mentions.
1.Outstanding Cases: Projects achieving excellence across multiple themes and making significant contributions to heritage protection and cultural exchange in Asia.
2.Progressive Cases: Projects demonstrating exemplary results in at least one theme, positively influencing sustainable development of heritage sites domestically and internationally, and providing leadership.
3.Special Mentions: Projects addressing critical issues or key challenges in sustainable development that require special attention, particularly in less developed regions facing difficulties in heritage protection. These cases aim to draw collective attention across Asia and encourage shared solutions.
IV. Benefits for Selected Cases
Project Funding Support: Based on proposed future plans and budgets, selected cases may receive funding from the Asian Cultural Heritage Protection Fund to support continued development. Maximum funding amounts vary by category: RMB 300,000, RMB 500,000, and RMB 1,000,000.
Global Promotion: Selected cases will receive international media exposure and be invited to share experiences at international forums.
In-depth Development and Promotion: Selected cases will be compiled into publications, may be featured in international journals, recommended for international exchanges, or developed into model practices showcased on official project and international organization websites.
V. Application Method
Applicants must submit all application materials via email to afchc2@outlook.com by March 31, 2024. Hard copies of materials, along with videos and images, must also be mailed to the China Cultural Heritage Conservation Foundation. Application forms should be printed on A4 paper, left-bound, and submitted in duplicate.
Address: No. 219 Dongsi North Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100010
Contact: Su Yuhang 010-52219587 / 18600209208
VI. Application Materials and Requirements
1.Application Form (Required)
Download link: Visit the China Cultural Heritage Conservation Foundation website (www.ccrpf.org.cn) → Brand Projects → Asian Cultural Heritage Protection Fund → “Shared Vision 2024.”
2.Drawings (Required)
a. All projects: A map indicating the project’s location in its urban or rural context.
b. Engineering projects: Technical drawings including site plans, floor plans, sections, elevations, key detail drawings, and before-and-after restoration conditions. All changes or additions must be clearly marked in color.
3.Photographs (Required)
Note: Each photo must include a caption.
a. At least 5 photos showcasing the core demonstration aspects of the project.
b. At least 5 photos documenting the implementation process, including staff at work, challenges, and key stages.
c. At least 10 photos showing how residents and visitors use the project.
d. For engineering projects: At least 5 before-and-after photos showing overall exterior, interior, and site conditions (preferably taken from the same angles).
4.Authorization Letter (Required)
5.User Testimonials (Required)
At least 3 testimonials from users, residents, or visitors must be submitted to verify the authenticity of the project.
Template download: Available on the foundation’s website under “Shared Vision 2024.”
6.Video Materials (Optional)
7.Other Supporting Materials (Optional)
Including but not limited to videos, news reports, and articles supporting the project’s authenticity.
↓↓↓ (Click “Read More” to access the “Shared Vision 2024” section on the official website and download attachments)
Source: China Cultural Heritage Conservation Foundation
