About THF

THF is a registered non-profit organization in Germany, India and Mongolia, and recognized as non-profit cooperation partner in China. In recent years THF's projects received three UNESCO Heritage Awards (2009, 2006 and 2011), a UN Habitat Dubai Best Practice Award, an award by Qinghai Golok Prefecture Government (2004) and were short-listed for best practice by the World Bank (Global Marketplace initiative 2001), while the earlier Lhasa Old Town Conservation Project found wide-spread acclaim and is also listed in the UN Best Practice Database.

Principles of THF's development work
Cooperation for sustainable, participatory and equitable development

Particular focus on housing, vocational training, ecological architecture, infrastructure and low-income communities


Principles of THF's housing upgrading and heritage conservation work
Conservation for local communities (ICOMOS living cities principle)

Conservation of buildings and of building technology

For residential buildings: priority on livability, owner/occupants participate in planning process

Maximum retaining of historic elements (UNESCO Venice charter), mud plaster and soil roof layers often replaced

Accomodation of local demand for pragmatic usability of sites

COMPROMISES and NEGOTIATIONS are routine


THF is non-political and committed to promote understanding and co-operation between different cultures and nations to benefit world cultural heritage.

THF projects are based on a participatory approach, centered around preservation of indigenous heritage and traditions. Our water and sanitation program is aimed at improving people's living conditions.

THF trains local people in technical skills, such as traditional building skills, architectural design and survey work, mural conservation and general restoration skills. Our mural conservation program currently involved the first-ever training of Ladakhi restorers, and technical analysis of Tibetan mural technology in cooperation with academic institutions.

THF is a registered non-profit NGO, and accepts donations and contributions.


Copyright, Tibet Heritage Fund