From Centre for Events & Festivals (CEF):
Flanders outlines key steps within their strategic approach to the delivery and measurement of event-driven positive impacts on the local community and wider society.
- Most events still rely on economic metrics, ignoring the harder-to-measure but vital social outcomes.
- Flanders’ approach embeds social impact into event planning through co-creation and Theory of Change models.
- Proven tools from other policy sectors can—and must—be adapted for credible social impact measurement.
- Overpromising outcomes erodes trust; managing expectations through evidence-based planning is essential.
- Honest evaluation means recognising both positive legacies and negative consequences—especially environmental and social costs.
