Impact Case Study: Evidence for Policy in Resilience and Arts: The Case of Building the Barricades Project

Project Details

Description

The Roots of Resilience project examines how cultural heritage organisations foster community resilience in Brazil's Iron Quadrangle region, where communities face ongoing environmental threats from mining activities and climate change. Through collaboration between the University of Manchester and Queen Mary University of London and six Brazilian cultural organisations, this research has developed new methodologies for measuring cultural impact while influencing local heritage protection policies. This Impact Case Study demonstrates how the project's findings have directly influenced municipal policy-making, transformed organisational practices in cultural institutions, and enhanced community resilience through evidence-based interventions. The research has particular significance given two recent major mining disasters in the region (Mariana 2015, Brumadinho 2019), highlighting the urgent need for better integration of cultural heritage protection into disaster preparedness and community resilience strategies. The project's innovative participatory approach has created a replicable model for understanding how cultural heritage can be mobilised as a tool for community resilience in vulnerable regions, with potential applications in similar contexts globally. Expected Deliverables:
The project will demonstrate impact through three interconnected streams: policy influence, organizational change, and community resilience. We expect to evidence policy change through official documents and stakeholder testimonials; document transformation in organizational practices through case studies of two key cultural institutions; and demonstrate enhanced community resilience through follow-up survey data and testimonials. The emphasis on gathering targeted evidence from multiple sources will provide robust demonstration of how research has influenced both policy and practice in cultural heritage protection and community resilience building.

Key findings

Demonstration Plan for Roots of Resilience (2021-2023)

Phase 1: Evidence Collection

Document baseline cultural heritage practices through surveys (489 participants) and interviews (15 organisations)
Track policy changes in two key municipalities (Brumadinho and Mariana) where major mining disasters occurred
Collect evidence from three partner organisations demonstrating changes in practice based on research findings.

Phase 2: Impact Documentation
We will demonstrate impact through three key areas:

Policy Change

Monitor and document how research recommendations influence local heritage protection policies.
Track citations of research in policy documents
Secure 2-3 letters from policymakers confirming research influence


Organisational Practice


Document changes in practice at Instituto Inhotim and Casa Quilombê
Collect testimonials from organisation leaders
Record new initiatives developed based on research findings


Community Resilience

Follow-up survey with original participants
Document new community networks formed
Case study of one successful heritage protection initiative

Expected Evidence:

2-3 policy documents referencing the research
5-6 testimonials from key stakeholders
1 detailed case study
1 paper
Comparative data from follow-up survey
Documentation of organisational changes
Short titleICS Roots of Resilience
StatusActive
Effective start/end date1/02/251/08/25

UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This project contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • SDG 13 - Climate Action

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