TY - JOUR AU - Sawaros Thanapornsangsuth AU - Kenna Edler AU - Jonghwi Park AU - Jun-ichi Takada AU - Shinobu Yamaguchi AB - This paper illustrates how youth are motivated to safeguard intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in a community of practice (CoP). The study took place at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang, Lao People s Democratic Republic. The study first explores the perceived threats to safeguarding local ICH as seen by youth members. Subsequently, it presents a case study of how the youth members relationship with the community impacts the transmission and manifestation of ICH as a CoP, emphasising mutual engagement, joint enterprise, shared repertoire and shared identity. Qualitative research methods, including interviews, field notes, observations and multimedia documentation, were employed. The results present the conditions for a youth-driven CoP, supporting youth experiences in: (1) enhancing their sense of local identity; (2) recognising the value of cultural knowledge; (3) engaging in collaborative learning with a culture bearer; and (4) being challenged to find innovative solutions. N2 - This paper illustrates how youth are motivated to safeguard intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in a community of practice (CoP). The study took place at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang, Lao People s Democratic Republic. The study first explores the perceived threats to safeguarding local ICH as seen by youth members. Subsequently, it presents a case study of how the youth members relationship with the community impacts the transmission and manifestation of ICH as a CoP, emphasising mutual engagement, joint enterprise, shared repertoire and shared identity. Qualitative research methods, including interviews, field notes, observations and multimedia documentation, were employed. The results present the conditions for a youth-driven CoP, supporting youth experiences in: (1) enhancing their sense of local identity; (2) recognising the value of cultural knowledge; (3) engaging in collaborative learning with a culture bearer; and (4) being challenged to find innovative solutions. TI - Intangible cultural heritage safeguarding: a youth-led community of practice in Lao People s Democratic Republic VL - 20 SN - 1975-3586 ER -