Migrant cultures. Contributions of NGOs and community-based organizations to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in Santiago, Chile

This article examines how NGO and community-based organizations perceive their contributions to safeguarding migrant intangible cultural heritage in Santiago, Chile. Through the thematic analysis of 15 in-depth interviews with organizations representatives, the study found the existence of three main values of ICH for the social inclusion of migrant communities: making immigrant visible and appreciated; strengthening their communities through reinforcing their identities and social ties; and revealing its economic potential. In achieving them, the following contributions of NGO and community-based organizations emerged: the creation of spaces, the promotion of sensitization actions and the creation of associations and empowerment within migrant communities. Moreover, specific operational features of these organizations were found: an inclusive and participation-based work, in situ and progressive knowledge and limited resources and voluntary nature appeared as relevant for the realization of these actions.