ESG4GLAM · Competency Framework

For GLAM Professionals & Institutions

ESG Competency
Framework
for the GLAM Sector

A structured, evidence-based model of the Environmental, Social and Governance competencies needed by professionals and institutions working across galleries, libraries, archives and museums — grounded directly in the ESG4GLAM Competency Needs Analysis.

ESG competencies

Interconnected domains

Progression levels, L1–L5

EQF 3–8

European Qualifications Framework

Grounded in the ESG4GLAM Competency Needs Analysis · survey n=120 · 6 focus groups · 34 expert interviews

Erasmus+ KA220-VET · Grant Agreement 2025-1-IT01-KA220-VET-000364271

Download the Full Report→ Download the Core Version→ TAKE the survey→

ESG4GLAM

Overview
Domains
Competencies
Levels
How to Use
Alignment
Feedback

Why this Framework exists

Overview

GLAM institutions do not need to be persuaded that ESG matters — importance scores exceed 4.2 out of 5 in every domain of the ESG4GLAM needs analysis. What is missing is not attitude, but practical competencies, tools and institutional structures able to translate that recognition into everyday practice. This Framework gives the sector a shared, sector-specific language for exactly that.

120

Survey respondents

16 countries — the Framework’s quantitative base

Focus groups

43 participants across Italy, Finland, Latvia, Serbia

Expert interviews

Specialists, unions, training bodies, institutional leaders

EQF 3–8

Full qualification range

From entry-level staff to sector leadership

What makes this Framework sector-specific

Unlike generic corporate ESG or project-management models, this Framework is built around the evidence, language and operating realities of the GLAM sector: mission-driven, often publicly funded, frequently resource-constrained, and responsible for the stewardship of collections and public knowledge across generations. Every domain, competency and priority ranking traces back directly to what GLAM professionals themselves identified as important, as lacking, and as needed to move forward — not a framework imported from another sector and adapted after the fact.

4 interconnected domains, 31 competencies

The Four Domains

I · Cross-Cutting

6 competencies

The foundational, enabling literacy without which E/S/G action risks staying isolated or superficial.

Gap1.68 — highest

II · Environmental

8 competencies

Managing the ecological footprint of collections, buildings, exhibitions and operations.

Gap1.51

III · Social

9 competencies

Delivering inclusive, participatory and socially accountable practice — audience- and staff-facing.

Gap1.26 — strongest domain

IV · Governance

8 competencies

Ethical, legal and managerial capacities to embed ESG into strategy, accountability and reporting.

Gap1.25

Table 2 · Competency Overview Matrix

All 31 competencies

Each competency is described across five progression levels (L1–L5) with descriptors, GLAM-specific examples and alignment to sector-relevant standards. Full descriptors are available in the complete report.

I. Cross-Cutting ESG Competencies 6 competencies

CC-01Basic ESG literacy in the GLAM context

CC-02Understanding interconnections between E, S and G dimensions

CC-03Organisational learning and change management for ESG

CC-04Moving beyond a “checkbox” approach to ESG

CC-05Using basic ESG data and indicators

CC-06Digital sustainability and responsible use of AI and data

II. Environmental Competencies 8 competencies

ENV-01Environmental awareness and regulatory compliance

ENV-02Energy and climate control management

ENV-03Sustainable production of exhibitions and public programmes

ENV-04Ecologically informed preventive conservation

ENV-05Sustainable procurement

ENV-06Waste reduction and circular practices

ENV-07Preparedness for environmental emergencies

ENV-08Monitoring of environmental indicators

III. Social Competencies 9 competencies

SOC-01Inclusive access and participation

SOC-02Community engagement and co-creation

SOC-03Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)

SOC-04Social impact assessment

SOC-05Safeguarding and ethical participation

SOC-06Clear and accessible communication

SOC-07Partnerships for social value

SOC-08Feedback and complaint mechanisms

SOC-09Staff wellbeing and fair working conditions

IV. Governance Competencies 8 competencies

GOV-01Ethics and integrity in cultural stewardship

GOV-02Transparency and accountability

GOV-03Risk management and internal control

GOV-04Integration of ESG into planning and management

GOV-05Stakeholder communication and ESG reporting

GOV-06Data protection and privacy (GDPR)

GOV-07Data management for ESG purposes

GOV-08Governance of partners and suppliers

Table 1 · EQF-aligned progression

Five levels, one career-long pathway

Every competency is described across the same five levels — from a volunteer at a small municipal library to the director of a national museum network — so ESG capability can be planned and recognised at every career stage.

EQF 3–4

Associate

Trainee, volunteer, front-of-house or assistant. Performs defined tasks under supervision.

EQF 5–6

Professional

Librarian, curator, archivist, conservator. Applies competencies independently.

EQF 6–7

Senior Professional / Manager

Department head, branch or site manager. Leads a team or function.

EQF 7–8

Lead Professional / Senior Manager

Deputy director, head of institution. Sets institutional policy and strategy.

EQF 8

Principal

Director/CEO of a large or national institution, sector-network coordinator.

Built for real resourcing conditions

How to use the Framework

Who it’s for

01 GLAM professionals & volunteers — self-assess current competency levels, identify development priorities, plan career progression.

02 Institutional managers & directors — map staff competencies, identify capacity gaps, plan resourcing and training investment.

03 Training providers & higher-education institutions — design ESG curricula, short courses and micro-credentials.

04 Funders, ministries & heritage authorities — inform funding criteria, national qualification standards, capacity-building strategy.

05 Networks, associations & certification bodies — align recognition and credentialing with a shared, sector-specific competency language.

Priority use by institutional setting

Museum

Environmental emergency preparedness, basic ESG literacy, simple indicators — without requiring all 31 competencies at once.

Public library

Inclusion, accessibility, community engagement and social impact, reflecting the universal-access mission.

Alignment with standards

Because GLAM institutions operate under professional, ethical and regulatory frameworks distinct from the corporate sector, each competency is aligned — where applicable — with instruments recognised within cultural heritage and public-interest practice.

ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums IFLA Code of Ethics for Librarians ICA Code of Ethics (archivists) Faro Convention Bizot Green Protocol EU Web Accessibility Directive European Accessibility Act GDPR UN Sustainable Development Goals GRI Standards CSRD / ESRS EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities European Qualifications Framework (EQF)

Help us improve the Framework

Tell us what you think

This Framework is designed to be tested, challenged and refined through real use across the sector. A short feedback survey helps us understand how useful it is in practice, and what should evolve in the next revision.


PERSONAL INFORMATION
Personal data (Name, Surname, Organisation) are requested solely for the purpose of validating participation in the EU project. They will be treated confidentially and will not be publicly disclosed in association with individual responses. 
First Name *
Last Name *
Email Address *
Full name of the organisation you represent *
Which GLAM organisation best describes what you work for? *
Question 1. Completeness & Relevance
Do the 31 competencies and 4 domains cover what GLAM professionals actually need in order to work with ESG? *Yes - They are complete and highly relevant.No - Something critical is missing, or some competencies are unnecessary.
If NO, please briefly specify what is missing or unnecessary (optional)0 / 400
Question 2. Clarity
Are the competency descriptions and practical examples clear enough to be understood and used by non-ESG specialists? *YES – The language and examples are clear.NO – Some terms, descriptions, or examples are unclear or unrealistic.
If NO, which terms or examples should be improved? (optional)0 / 400
Question 3. Levels & Career Progression
Do the 5 progressive levels (L1 Associate to L5 Principal, mapped to EQF levels 3 to 8) accurately match real roles and career paths in GLAM? *YES – The levels match the actual professional progression in our sector.NO – The levels do not fit our organizational or career reality
If NO, what would need to change? (optional)0 / 400
Question 4. Practical Application
Can you foresee your institution practically applying this Framework (e.g., for job descriptions, staff training, self-assessment, or strategic planning)? *YES – It can be easily integrated into our practical work.NO – The operational barriers (such as time, resources, or complexity) are too high.
If NO, what is the main obstacle standing in your way? (optional)0 / 400
Question 5. Priorities & Training Potential
Do you agree that this Framework serves as a useful and solid basis for the upcoming 35-hour ESG4GLAM training course? *YES – It is a valuable foundation for professional development.NO – It does not meet the learning needs of our sector.
Optional questions
Which ESG domain should the upcoming training course prioritize first?Cross-Cutting Competencies (e.g., basic ESG literacy, digital sustainability/AI)Environmental Competencies (e.g., energy management, emergency preparedness)Social Competencies (e.g., accessibility, community engagement, staff wellbeing)Governance Competencies (e.g., ethics, transparency, ESG planning and reporting)
Overall, do you endorse this Framework as a valid reference tool for the European GLAM sector? *YES – I fully endorse it.NO – I do not endorse it in its current form.
Consent *Yes, I agree with the privacy policy

Download the Full Report→ Download the Core Version→

ESG4GLAM

ESG Competency Framework for GLAM Professionals and Institutions
Galleries, Libraries, Archives & Museums

Grounded in 120 survey responses · 43 focus group participants · 34 expert interviews
Erasmus+ KA220-VET · Grant Agreement 2025-1-IT01-KA220-VET-000364271

ESG CompetencyFrameworkfor the GLAM Sector

Overview

The Four Domains

All 31 competencies

Five levels, one career-long pathway

How to use the Framework

Alignment with standards

Tell us what you think

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Question 1. Completeness & Relevance

Question 2. Clarity

Question 3. Levels & Career Progression

Question 4. Practical Application

Question 5. Priorities & Training Potential

Optional questions

ESG Competency
Framework
for the GLAM Sector