How Will We Know If LOV2030 Makes a Real Difference?

Culture can bring people together, strengthen communities and inspire new ways of thinking. But how do we know if that really happens? And how can we understand the impact LOV2030 is having on Leuven and the wider East Brabant region? 

Leuven & Beyond as European Capital of Culture 2030 is about much more than a year of events, festivals and artistic projects. LOV2030 aims to create lasting positive change for people, organisations and places across our region. To understand whether we are achieving that ambition, we need to follow and measure that change over time. 

That is why LOV2030 is developing a comprehensive monitoring, evaluation and learning process. Not as a final assessment after everything is over, but as a compass throughout the journey to 2030. By measuring, listening and learning along the way, we can better understand what works, where adjustments are needed, and how public investments contribute to a stronger city and region. 

To measure change, we first need to know where we are starting. This is the purpose of the LOV2030 Baseline Study. It will map the strengths of our city and region today, identify key challenges and establish a shared starting point from which we can track progress towards 2030 and beyond. 

Your Voices as a Starting Point 

On 19 May 2026, creators, residents, local authorities, organisations and partners came together at the Summit of LOV. Guided by experts Joris Janssens and Isabelle De Voldere from IDEA Consult, participants explored one central question: 

What impact does LOV2030 want to achieve, and what does that look like in practice? 

The answer goes far beyond visitor numbers or counting events. Real cultural impact happens when people build new relationships, feel more connected to their communities, learn together and experience a stronger sense of belonging. 

The insights gathered during the session helped shape the research and monitoring framework of LOV2030. This ensures that we do not only measure what is easy to count, but above all what LOV2030 has truly meant for residents and organisations.

Key Insights from the Summit

Several clear priorities emerged from the discussions. 

Culture as a Right for Everyone 

Participants stressed that access to culture should begin at an early age. They called for stronger connections between schools and cultural organisations, seeing arts and culture not as isolated subjects, but as tools for developing empathy, curiosity and critical thinking. 

Neighbourhood initiatives and amateur arts were also recognised as essential building blocks of a vibrant cultural ecosystem. 

Bringing Culture Closer to Everyday Life 

Culture should not be confined to traditional cultural venues. Participants highlighted opportunities to bring creativity into everyday spaces, from neighbourhood squares and libraries to streets and public meeting places. 

Connecting Different Sectors 

Culture often has the greatest impact when it works together with other sectors. The session highlighted opportunities to strengthen links between cultural initiatives, healthcare services, sports clubs and youth organisations. 

Culture and Climate Action 

Sustainability was another important theme. Participants proposed practical ideas such as a shared LOV Bus for low-emission transport to events, partnerships with local farmers to provide regional food, and the use of storytelling to help communities imagine sustainable futures. 

Safe Spaces for Bold Conversations 

Participants also underlined the importance of creating welcoming environments where residents can discuss complex issues, bridge differences and take part in respectful civic dialogue. Culture can play a key role in making these conversations possible. 

Many Partners, One Shared Ambition 

Following the Summit, LOV2030 and IDEA Consult organised a series of working sessions, interviews and stakeholder consultations to further develop the monitoring framework. 

These conversations brought together a broad range of partners, including the City of Leuven, KU Leuven, regional municipalities, tourism organisations, cultural policy actors and data partners. Together, they explored how existing knowledge, data and expertise could contribute to understanding the cultural, social, economic and ecological impact of LOV2030. 

The discussions laid the foundations for a wider collaboration structure that will support the Baseline Study, ongoing monitoring and a shared learning process in the years ahead. 

One conclusion stood out clearly: no single organisation can measure this impact alone. Understanding the effects of LOV2030 requires collaboration across sectors and across the wider Leuven and East Brabant region. 

What Happens Next? 

To turn these ambitions and ideas into measurable insights, LOV2030 is launching several research initiatives over the coming months. Together, they will contribute to the publication of the Baseline Study in spring 2027. 

Mapping Existing Data 

Together with partners such as the City of Leuven, publiq (UiTdatabank), Visit Leuven, Visit Flemish Brabant and EventFlanders, we are bringing together existing data on cultural participation, audience reach and tourism trends across the region. 

Survey Across Different Sectors | October 2026 

In the autumn, artists, cultural organisations and creative associations will receive a dedicated survey. Through the networks of Leuven MindGate and SOM Leuven, the survey will also be shared with businesses and schools. This broad survey will map topics such as workspace availability, financial needs and opportunities for collaboration across the region.

Resident Survey | December 2026 

Residents will also have a voice in the process. Through a representative survey, we will examine awareness of LOV2030, barriers to cultural participation, feelings of social connection and other important societal topics. 

The survey will be promoted through our newsletter, social media channels and partner networks, inviting residents across the region to share their perspectives and experiences. 

The Impact Roadshow 

Three interactive workshops will take place across the region, gathering stories, experiences and expectations that will add depth and context to the quantitative survey data. 

Building the weLOVimpact Consortium 

At the same time, we are creating a broad learning network that brings together local authorities, intermunicipal partnerships, creative networks, research and data partners, KU Leuven and other knowledge communities. 

Towards the LOV2030 Baseline Study 

All insights gathered through surveys, data analysis, workshops and stakeholder consultations will come together in the LOV2030 Baseline Study, which will be presented publicly at the Summit of LOV in April 2027. 

The study will provide a shared starting point for Leuven and the wider East Brabant region. It will help us understand where we stand today and create a framework for tracking progress in the years leading up to 2030. 

In doing so, it will help us understand how projects, performances, workshops and encounters contribute to a more connected, inclusive, sustainable and resilient city and region for everyone.