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It’s important to ask ourselves why it’s important to think about impact. Some high-level reasons for Europeana, for example, include demonstrating the value we create for the heritage sector and , progressing our understanding of the digital transformation of the heritage sector . At a more micro-level, it will be to understand how we bring value through specific projects and to learn how we can improve. and getting better at the things we do every day. These drivers - understanding your value, learning more, and making improvements, might sound familiar to you.
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“In the cultural heritage sector, we work for a great cause, for the good of society as a whole, and we have ambitious goals. But it's not always easy to see whether we're achieving them. The fact of the matter is that - as a cultural institution - we have very few instruments at our disposal to assess the results of our actions. Of course, we count the direct outputs of our work fanatically - visitor numbers, Facebook likes, ticket sales. But we don't dig into the deep outcomes that result from our work - changes to attitudes, new friendships, new ideas and values.”Europeana Impact Playbook, Phase one |
Why impact and digital transformation?
As we enter an a period of the acceleration of the digital transformation of our heritage institutions and the lives of those who use and enjoy their data, it’s important that we think about the impact we want to have and ensure that we use resources effectively for the greatest good. For many, thinking strategically about digital is new. And that’s where impact design and measurement can play an important role.
Importantly, however, we think that thinking about impact has a big role to play in the context of digital transformation because digital should not be seen as an ‘end in itself’, the purpose of our work. Rather, thinking about impact helps us see impact as the medium to create even more value for our audiences, using the tools that helps us reach and learn from them.
Why is it important to
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think about impact?
Move beyond metrics to think about deeper change
Stay relevant in a changing world - think from the perspective of your audience and respond to their feedback
Inform evidence-led decision-making and iterative improvement cycles
Inform strategies and ways ahead
Contribute to the bigger narrative about what is the value of (digital) cultural heritage and our work
Help make change happen and make a better world
Contextualise your work (e.g. nationally, internationally) in comparison with others
Influence better policy making by creating more appropriate recommendations and advocacy narratives
Attract more funding and to help make your work more financially sustainable (and impactful for your audiences)
Identify gaps and capitalise on opportunities to create impact through your work
Improve your organisation’s processes and learning processes
Are there more reasons that are driving you to think about your impact? Let us know by emailing impact@europeana.eu!
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Read more about why and how institutions are thinking about and measuring their impact
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