The Loden Foundation is a pioneer organization in Bhutan bridging cultural heritage with socio-economic development. Loden literally means ‘the intelligent one’ and is an epithet of the Bodhisattvas, who work for the world using wisdom and compassion. Loden first started as a modest child sponsorship scheme in 1999 to help poor students go to school. Since then, it grew incrementally to become a leading NGO in Bhutan. Led by a group of people with shared visions, concerns and interests, Loden has three programs supported by a wide network of donors, volunteers, management team and partners.

The Center for Research and Promotion of Cultural Heritage (CCH), an affiliate institution of thenCultural Heritage Association of Việt Nam, a non-governmental organization (NGO) accredited bynUNESCO in 2011, has been officially operating since 2010. In pursuance of study objectives basednon the community within the framework of the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the safeguarding ofnthe intangible cultural heritage, CCH has carried out dozens of ICH projects and study themes fornthe past 8 years. One of the principles of CCH is to be chiefly connected to the study of communities. This has helpednin bringing about good achievements and sustainable development in study projects of CCH.\nLeaders of the Center are specialists in the field of intangible cultural heritage involving in thenimplementation of the 2003 Convention for the past 15 years. The number of projects and programsnimplemented by CCH each year constantly increased with new ones. CCH has become a truly usefulnbridge, linking state management bodies with communities; an organization that always assistncommunities in the safeguarding and promotion of their intangible cultural heritage. CCH isncurrently the leading organization under the Vietnam Association for Cultural Heritage in thensafeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. It has closely collaborated with a wide range ofnorganizations and institutions, especially local communities, in safeguarding projects that involveninventorying, heritage education, preparation of nominations, and exhibition.

After the Angkor was inscribed on the World Cultural Heritage List, it was necessary to establish working mechanisms to promote national and international collaboration. The creation of Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap called APSARA or APSARA authority in 1995 also corresponds to the request of the World Heritage Committee, which temporarily inscribed Angkor on the List of World Heritage Sites in Danger in December 1992. Permanent inscription was at that point depended upon the Cambodian government taking concrete action in the field.\nSince 2008, according to the new structure of APSARA authority, a committee for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage will form with representatives from departments of APSARA—Department of Cultural Development Museums and Heritage Standards, Department of Land and Habitats Management, Department of Agricultural Extension and Community Development, Department of Angkor Tourism Development, and Department of Communication—for conducting APSARA projects or collaborative projects with national and international organizations. An ongoing APSARA project is to develop a policy for sustainable safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in the Angkor region and other regions under its jurisdiction.

The “Fondazione Santagata for the Economics of Culture” was founded on April 13 2018, on initiative of the Silvia Santagata Research Centre (CSS-EBLA). The Foundation gathers all the know-how and experiences of CSS-EBLA and of the studies activities carried out by Walter Santagata, pioneering scholar of Culture Economics.\nThe Foundation’s main working areas are two: a first one linked to the models for the management of cultural heritage, with a specific reference to the economic dimension of development and to UNESCO related programs, and a second one linked to the production of culture and cultural innovation.\nFurthermore, the Foundation’s mission is to enable cooperative networking among culture and other sectors operators, to support the internationalization of Piedmontese and Italian economic and cultural operators, in order to generate positive socio-economic impacts.

The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC) was launched in July 2007 to promote understanding of Laos’ ethnic diversity and advocate for the survival and transmission of Laotian cultural heritage. It is the only independent museum and cultural heritage center in Laos dedicated to the collection, preservation, and interpretation of the traditional arts and lifestyles of the country’s ethnic groups.\nCurrently, the Centre features exhibits, two brick-and-mortar fair trade shops with handicrafts produced by rural artisans, a small library, café, and kids’ activity area. The Centre received over 27,000 visitors in 2017 and has rapidly emerged as a regional leader in cultural heritage management and community development.\nAs an independent organization, TAEC receives no funding from the government. The Centre was started with seed money from private donors and two foundations. Now, the Centre’s admission fees, tourist-related services, and café and shop income cover day-to-day running costs, and the organization operates as a social enterprise, with all profits invested towards its mission.

The Indonesian Heritage Trust (Badan Pelestarian Pusaka Indonesia or BBPI) is a non-profit organization for heritage practitioners, advocates and heritage lovers from various background over various regions in Indonesia. BBPI has conducted research and relevant projects on safeguarding both tangible and intangible heritage. They hold the credit to the publication of Charter of Indonesian Heritage Management and Conservation in 2013.

The Pacific Islands Museums Association (PIMA) is a regional, non-governmental organization that assists museums, cultural centers, national trusts, cultural departments and ministries, cultural associations, and arts councils. PIMA acknowledges the richness of the Pacific’s ICH and has undertaken some successful initiatives to support ICH safeguarding.\nPIMA was established in 1994 as a regional forum where heritage professionals could exchange their views and work towards improving the quality of service provided to the public. It is the first and only regional, multilingual, multicultural, non-profit organization that assists museums, cultural centers, and people to preserve Pacific heritage.\nPIMA develops community participation in heritage management and brings together over forty-five museums and cultural centers in the Pacific to develop their capacity to identify research, manage, interpret, and nurture cultural and natural heritage. PIMA advocates the development of regional cultural resource management policies and practices, facilitates training, and provides a forum to exchange ideas and skills. It provides and encourages regional and global linkages to support heritage safeguarding. In this article, PIMA highlights a case study on initiatives that PIMA fully supported in Vanuatu as one of its ICH safeguarding activities.

Hoi An Center for Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation is under the directnadministration of Hoi An City People’s Committee. The Center was founded by Quang NamnProvincial People’s Committee at the request of the Hoi An City Chairperson and the Director ofnQuang Nam Province Department of Home Affairs.\nThe Center is responsible for administratively managing, researching, preserving, and promotingnthe values of Hoi An cultural heritage. The Center also jointly manages the Cu Lao Cham – Hoi AnnWorld Biosphere Reserve.