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
6
Focus groups
43 participants across Italy, Finland, Latvia, Serbia
34
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.
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
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.
Archive
Preventive conservation, climate control, data protection and risk management for long-term stewardship.
Gallery
Sustainable exhibition production, procurement and stakeholder communication.
Large or national institution
Priority on ESG governance, reporting, supplier criteria and sector leadership — strategic planning and accountability across departments, including alignment with statutory obligations such as CSRD/ESRS where applicable, while guarding explicitly against a “checkbox” or greenwashing approach.
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)
