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Description
The aim of the project is to strengthen the administrative capacity of Suiti Cultural Heritage Foundation with the help of various measures. In recent years, the association has been working more and more actively in various fields to preserve and popularize Suiti cultural heritage, included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) list. International cooperation is especially developed. The association plans to expand its international activities in various cooperation projects, including by operating in several international NGO cooperation networks.
To achieve these goals, it is necessary to increase the administrative capacity of the association - to improve communication with target groups and the rest of society, to expand knowledge about activities in the field of ICH, especially about activities in the cooperation networks, and to improve English language skills.
These tasks will be implemented with specific activities in which the board members and members of the association will be involved. In order to improve communication with the public, the project envisages supplementing the content of the website www.suitunovads.lv in English, creating an integrated marketing communication strategy and practical consultation on its implementation, as well as implementing English language training.
In order to increase competence for activities in the field of ICH, especially for participation in cooperation networks (Nordic-Baltic cooperation network and UNESCO-accredited NGO network), activities for the exchange of experience with cooperation partners in Latvia and Norway will be implemented.
As a result of these activities, the competences and skills of the association will be significantly improved for the improvement and expansion of existing activities in new directions, especially for international activities.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address several key issues within the association "Suiti Cultural Heritage Foundation." Communication with the public had been identified as ineffective, with no proactive communication plan in place to ensure regular, timely, and thoughtful interaction. The website, although rich in content and having received recognition in 2007, required updates in English to improve outreach to international partners. Social media activity was inconsistent, managed by board members without a structured plan, and lacked analysis of audience feedback. It was also noted that other digital marketing channels, such as email marketing, had not been fully explored. To improve their communication strategies, the foundation needed expert input to develop an integrated marketing plan and practical guidance on its implementation.
In addition, the foundation lacked exposure to best practices in the field of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), making it necessary to engage in experience-sharing activities with similar organizations. This need for knowledge was particularly important for strengthening participation in international networks such as UNESCO-accredited NGOs. Furthermore, the members’ English language skills, though at a basic to intermediate level, needed improvement, particularly in the specialized terminology of intangible cultural heritage, to enhance their ability to participate in international activities. These challenges, when addressed, would significantly strengthen the foundation''s administrative capacity and improve its ability to preserve, promote, and transmit the Suiti cultural heritage.
The project "Strengthening the capacity of the Suiti Cultural Heritage Foundation to operate internationally" focused on several key activities aimed at enhancing the organization''s ability to engage on an international level. The website was updated with new content in English to improve communication with international partners, including sections on Suiti cultural heritage such as traditional costumes, music, language, culinary traditions, and more. SEO techniques were also implemented to enhance the website''s visibility. A four-day knowledge exchange trip to Norway was conducted for three members, where they gained practical insights from a partner organization. The foundation also received consultations on participating in international networks, particularly within UNESCO-accredited NGO networks. A specialized 80-hour English language course was provided to five members, focusing on intangible cultural heritage terminology to strengthen their language skills for international activities. Furthermore, an integrated marketing communication strategy was developed, which included an audit of existing channels, a three-year communication plan, and media listings. The project also included practical guidance for implementing this strategy, resulting in enhanced communication and marketing capabilities. All these activities contributed to strengthening the foundation''s overall capacity to preserve and promote Suiti cultural heritage internationally.
The project "Strengthening the capacity of the Suiti Cultural Heritage Foundation to operate internationally" achieved significant results in enhancing the organization''s administrative capacity and its ability to communicate effectively on an international scale. The website was updated with content in English, improving communication with international partners and the broader public. A marketing strategy was developed, along with practical consultations, which improved the organization''s public relations and communication channels. This led to more regular and targeted communication with the public, including better feedback analysis. The knowledge exchange trip and consultations with similar organizations strengthened members'' expertise in the field of intangible cultural heritage, especially in the context of international networks. The English language course enhanced members'' proficiency in specialized terminology, allowing for smoother international collaborations. As a result of these activities, the organization''s leadership and members have significantly improved their skills and competencies, and effective communication channels have been established, supporting the broader mission of preserving, promoting, and passing on Suiti cultural heritage to future generations.
In the short term, the project enhanced the organization''s communication efforts through improved website content and more active engagement on social media. In the long term, the project has a positive impact on the entire Suiti community of approximately 2,500 members, encouraging their participation in both local and international activities. Ultimately, the project supports the foundation''s main goal of safeguarding and promoting Suiti cultural values for future generations while fostering a more active and engaged civil society.
Summary of bilateral results
The collaboration with the Norwegian Craft Institute, a UNESCO-accredited NGO with extensive experience in intangible cultural heritage, particularly in traditional crafts, was highly successful. The Suiti Cultural Heritage Foundation benefited from the partner''s practical knowledge, methods, and practices, especially regarding working with target groups and participating in UNESCO-accredited NGO networks. The Norwegian Craft Institute, which has been active in the field since 1987 and serves as an NGO representative on UNESCO''s Intergovernmental Committee, provided valuable insights during the experience exchange trip. The Norwegian team shared their approaches to daily work, offered recommendations on participating in UNESCO-coordinated activities, and discussed practical experiences, inspiring new local and international initiatives.Discussions also explored future collaboration opportunities, with a concrete plan to submit an Erasmus+ project proposal in 2025 aimed at promoting traditional crafts, involving partners from Estonia, Georgia, and Slovakia.