The HERALD Framework: Embedding the Sustainable Development Goals in Digital Heritage Practice

Cultural heritage is a reflection of its community and is therefore inextricably linked with the sustainable development of the community’s cultural landscape. This aligns with ICOM’s new museum definition that describes museums as institutions “in the service of society” that “foster diversity and sustainability”. As museums increasingly adopt digital media to engage audiences and interpret heritage, questions around how digital heritage can support sustainable development become more relevant. This paper introduces HERALD (Heritage for Engagement, Resilience, Action, Learning, and Development), a research-informed framework that integrates the principles of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into digital heritage practice. HERALD allows museums and cultural institutions to align their digital initiatives with sustainable development, through inclusive and innovative approaches, grounded in the local cultural landscape.

Based on research investigating the role of digital technologies in sustainable heritage development, the framework emerges through case studies including the VERA virtual museum platform (developed within the CULTURALITY project), participatory digital storytelling in Villa Portelli (Malta), and cultural landscape mapping led by community museums in the Scottish highlands and islands. HERALD supports a sustainable-by-design approach to digital heritage, where the principles of sustainable development are inherent and holistic, rather than secondary additions. This is achieved through cross-sectoral collaboration and ethical data practices.

This paper will outline the structure of the HERALD framework and the implications for content quality and long-term value in digital heritage initiatives. It offers both a methodology and a set of actionable principles for institutions striving to move toward meaningful, sustainable digital heritage practices.