Periodic Reporting for period 1 - RECHARGE (Resilient European Cultural Heritage As Resource for Growth and Engagement)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2022-10-01 do 2023-09-30
RECHARGE revolves around the role of stakeholder participation to capture the value within cultural heritage and its institutions. In the wake of the pandemic, the vital role played by cultural heritage institutions (CHIs) in keeping citizens engaged and promoting mental well-being through various creative initiatives has been widely recognized. However, this period also brought about financial challenges for these institutions. The primary goal of RECHARGE is to address this challenge by transforming CHI stakeholder relationships into sustainable financial models that ensure the continuity of these invaluable institutions.
At the core of cultural heritage institutions lies the concept of participation, which serves as a pathway through which communities - be it corporates, citizens, or other CHIs - become stakeholders in the CHI domain. RECHARGE embraces the concept of ‘Living Labs’, an iterative and intrinsically participatory environment, to act as spaces for co-creation and the prototyping of participatory business models. The consortium will actively document and analyze this collaborative process, yielding economic measures of effectiveness, indicators of sustainability and participation, reprofiling of social and cultural spaces from a museologic perspective, cultural and social valuation, and the development of participatory business models from an organizational approach.
By combining thorough academic research with hands-on analysis based on the Living Labs, RECHARGE aims to create a comprehensive ‘Playbook’ containing essential ingredients and practical recipes that can be adapted to local contexts, enabling the creation of participatory business models tailored to the unique needs of various communities. An online RECHARGE Platform, enriched with research findings, will facilitate knowledge dissemination within the sector and among interested communities. Input from participating CHIs who test our practical tools, beyond the Living Labs, will further enrich the knowledge base of RECHARGE and inform the final deliverables. Moreover, the RECHARGE Academy will actively engage CHI networks to transfer knowledge gained and build capacities to create a tangible impact on the landscape of cultural heritage institutions.
The strength of RECHARGE lies in its multidisciplinary team, drawing expertise from various university departments, independent research organizations, and CHI representatives across six European countries. Together, we are committed to fostering resilience and equipping the cultural heritage sector to confront future challenges and transitions effectively.
At the core of cultural heritage institutions lies the concept of participation, which serves as a pathway through which communities - be it corporates, citizens, or other CHIs - become stakeholders in the CHI domain. RECHARGE embraces the concept of ‘Living Labs’, an iterative and intrinsically participatory environment, to act as spaces for co-creation and the prototyping of participatory business models. The consortium will actively document and analyze this collaborative process, yielding economic measures of effectiveness, indicators of sustainability and participation, reprofiling of social and cultural spaces from a museologic perspective, cultural and social valuation, and the development of participatory business models from an organizational approach.
By combining thorough academic research with hands-on analysis based on the Living Labs, RECHARGE aims to create a comprehensive ‘Playbook’ containing essential ingredients and practical recipes that can be adapted to local contexts, enabling the creation of participatory business models tailored to the unique needs of various communities. An online RECHARGE Platform, enriched with research findings, will facilitate knowledge dissemination within the sector and among interested communities. Input from participating CHIs who test our practical tools, beyond the Living Labs, will further enrich the knowledge base of RECHARGE and inform the final deliverables. Moreover, the RECHARGE Academy will actively engage CHI networks to transfer knowledge gained and build capacities to create a tangible impact on the landscape of cultural heritage institutions.
The strength of RECHARGE lies in its multidisciplinary team, drawing expertise from various university departments, independent research organizations, and CHI representatives across six European countries. Together, we are committed to fostering resilience and equipping the cultural heritage sector to confront future challenges and transitions effectively.
Strategies for project implementation and collaboration were devised at the project-wide and individual work package levels. In WP1, extensive desk research was conducted to explore participatory management and business models in the cultural heritage (CH) sector. The findings were documented in D1.1 submitted in September 2023 (M12), forming the theoretical basis for the project as a whole and specifically in year 1 the prototyping of business models and development of the KPIs. The three project Living Labs (PLL) in WP2 carefully selected these models and initiated co-creation workshops with local stakeholders. Successfully implementing the chosen business models, the PLL trials concluded by September 2023 (M12), with their results to be integrated into the initial version of the RECHARGE Playbook as part of the process to expand into six more external Living Labs, scheduled for publication in January 2024 (M15).
The project fostered collective engagement, establishing a network of various stakeholders, including CHIs, corporates, citizens, creative industries, policymakers, and communities. Their active participation and contributions significantly impacted the research, data collection, and co-creation of the RECHARGE Models and CH Living Labs.
During the project's early stages (M1 to M3), several co-creative sessions determined the functionalities, uses, and aesthetics of the RECHARGE Platform. By December 2022, the initial version of the Platform had been successfully developed and made available for use. Also, in the first several months, the projects’ visual identity, online tone of voice, and general communication and dissemination strategies were developed.
The project fostered collective engagement, establishing a network of various stakeholders, including CHIs, corporates, citizens, creative industries, policymakers, and communities. Their active participation and contributions significantly impacted the research, data collection, and co-creation of the RECHARGE Models and CH Living Labs.
During the project's early stages (M1 to M3), several co-creative sessions determined the functionalities, uses, and aesthetics of the RECHARGE Platform. By December 2022, the initial version of the Platform had been successfully developed and made available for use. Also, in the first several months, the projects’ visual identity, online tone of voice, and general communication and dissemination strategies were developed.
In contrast to conventional application of business models within the CH sector, the RECHARGE project stands out by emphasizing the active involvement of local stakeholders and communities throughout the entire process. Through comprehensive desk research and analysis of current business models and participatory practices, the project identifies areas where stakeholder engagement is yet to be fully realized.
At the core of this fundamental shift lies the project's re-evaluation of the concept of CHIs' efficiency, financial value, and societal appreciation. RECHARGE adopts a holistic approach that transcends the current state of the art, actively engaging all stakeholders involved in the CH sector, including CHI professionals, citizens, CCI professionals, decision makers, and researchers. This inclusive participation extends throughout the entire process of business model development, testing, and implementation, forming the foundation for the creation of the RECHARGE participatory business models. Three of these innovative business models have undergone testing within the project's Living Labs. The project expects further and more concrete results beyond the state of the art when the six External Living Labs are running. These results will be reflected in the RECHARGE Models, the RECHARGE Playbook, and the Knowledge Base, all accessible and actively disseminated throughout the project network and via the RECHARGE Platform.
The ongoing development of the RECHARGE Playbook and RECHARGE Platform will form cutting-edge tools to be used by CH and CCI professionals and policy makers alike to further ensure sustainable and inclusive futures for CHIs across Europe.
At the core of this fundamental shift lies the project's re-evaluation of the concept of CHIs' efficiency, financial value, and societal appreciation. RECHARGE adopts a holistic approach that transcends the current state of the art, actively engaging all stakeholders involved in the CH sector, including CHI professionals, citizens, CCI professionals, decision makers, and researchers. This inclusive participation extends throughout the entire process of business model development, testing, and implementation, forming the foundation for the creation of the RECHARGE participatory business models. Three of these innovative business models have undergone testing within the project's Living Labs. The project expects further and more concrete results beyond the state of the art when the six External Living Labs are running. These results will be reflected in the RECHARGE Models, the RECHARGE Playbook, and the Knowledge Base, all accessible and actively disseminated throughout the project network and via the RECHARGE Platform.
The ongoing development of the RECHARGE Playbook and RECHARGE Platform will form cutting-edge tools to be used by CH and CCI professionals and policy makers alike to further ensure sustainable and inclusive futures for CHIs across Europe.