Centre for Agrarian History (CAG)

The Centre for Agrarian History (CAG) is a centre of expertise for the cultural heritage and history of agriculture, food and rural life in Flanders and Brussels (Belgium), from the second half of the 18th century to the present day. Under the Flemish Cultural Heritage Decree (2017), CAG is recognised and supported by the Flemish Government as a cultural heritage service organisation at Flemish level. It works with heritage communities, practitioners, researchers and organisations to research, safeguard and promote agricultural and culinary heritage. Academic support is provided by its partner, the Interfaculty Centre for Agrarian History (ICAG) at KU Leuven. CAG approaches cultural heritage in an integrated way, encompassing both tangible and intangible heritage.

Intangible cultural heritage is a central part of CAG’s activities, with a particular focus on traditional knowledge and practices related to agriculture, food culture, nature and the environment, rural traditions and craftsmanship. CAG supports heritage communities in identifying, documenting, safeguarding and transmitting their living heritage through participatory approaches. Audiovisual documentation plays an important role in this work: CAG has built up considerable experience in filming living heritage together with practitioners and colleagues in the sector. As a partner in the Flemish network for intangible cultural heritage, CAG also contributes to the implementation of UNESCO’s 2003 Convention in Flanders.

CAG has extensive experience in tailor-made safeguarding trajectories, from a wide range of nominations for the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Flanders to elements inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List, such as Beer culture in Belgium and Traditional irrigation: knowledge, technique, and organization. CAG has also developed specific expertise on the ethical questions involved in safeguarding nature-based traditions and living heritage involving animals, including animal welfare.

Since 2022, CAG has increasingly explored the connections between living heritage, ecological sustainability and climate action. Together with the Dutch Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage (KIEN), CAG developed the Flemish-Dutch project Water & Land – Intangible Heritage and Sustainable Development (2022–2025), focusing on traditional practices related to water management, biodiversity and soil fertility. In 2024, CAG was part of the UNESCO expert meeting that prepared the guidance note Climate action for living heritage. In 2025 it hosted the workshop Living Heritage, Ecological Sustainability and Climate Action in Leuven. Water & Land won the Ultima 2024, the Flemish Culture Award for Movable and Intangible Heritage, and its documentary was named Overall Winner at Heritage in Motion 2026.

Accredited by UNESCO since 2014, CAG actively engages in international cooperation and knowledge exchange, including through the ICH NGO Forum and its Working Group on Living Heritage, Climate Change and the Environment.

Year of accreditation: 2014

Main domain(s) of the ngo’s activities: (c) social practices, rituals and festive events; (d) knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; (e) traditional craftsmanship

Main safeguarding measures: a) identification, documentation, research (including inventory-making) b) preservation, protection c) promotion, enhancement d) transmission, (non-) formal education e) revitalization

Main country where the NGO works: Belgium