Rome, Italy – 2 March 2026
ESG4GLAM launches its communication and analysis research phase with the goal of embedding ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) principles directly into the missions and everyday operations of cultural institutions.
Created by a transnational consortium of cultural and academic partners, the project delivers practical tools and training tailored to the specific needs of the GLAM sector.
“Cultural institutions protect memory and create public value” said Massimo Cruciotti, Project Coordinator at Mazzini Lab.
ESG4GLAM reframes sustainability so that it supports stewardship, social inclusion and good governance, not by imposing corporate models, but by building tools that actually work for those who care for collections and communities.
Hence, the traditional ESG frameworks, focused on private-sector reporting, takes a culture-centred approach, prioritising the GLAM sector’s needs: collection resilience, community access, and responsible governance. The project translates sustainability into actionable skills and daily procedures, making ESG practical for cultural practitioners.
What the project will deliver:
- Competency framework: A skills matrix mapping the knowledge needed to apply ESG principles in conservation, programming, and governance.
- 35-hour modular training course: A practical, vocational course for cultural professionals, based on the competency framework and designed for flexible learning.
- ESG Knowledge Box: An open-access repository of tools, templates and case studies to support adoption at institutions of different sizes and capacities.
- Governance & reporting guidance: Reporting templates and checklists to help institutions demonstrate public value and transparency with minimal administrative burden.
“Turning policy into practice depends on people,” said our partner University of Novi Sad.
“Our work focuses on defining the concrete competencies that allow institutions to protect collections, engage communities, and report transparently, all aligned with each institution’s mission.”
Cultural organisations face complex pressures, climate risks, changing audiences, and tighter funding. ESG4GLAM helps institutions build resilience and show how sustainability supports public value and long-term survival.
The project is currently recruiting: curators, archivists, librarians, restorers, managers, and students to pilot training.
Participants will test the training modules and the ESG Knowledge Box tools during the online pilot phase, contributing feedback and case studies.
This is an opportunity to actively shape a transformative European initiative for sustainability in the cultural sector.
About the consortium
ESG4GLAM is a collaborative initiative led by cultural and academic partners across Europe. The project aims to translate sustainability principles into actionable skills and resources for the GLAM sector, co-created and validated with practitioners in different national contexts.
“ESG4GLAM is a project funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them”.