VALUTARE L’IMPATTO DELLE POLITICHE PUBBLICHE SUL PATRIMONIO CULTURALE: IL CASO DELLA VALLE TROMPIA

This paper analyzes the effectiveness of public policies aimed at the conservation and valorization of the built cultural heritage within the Trompia Valley (Province of Brescia, Italy), which in turn reflects the history of local communities and renders the complexity of local identity. As the preservation and reusing of cultural heritage sites presupposes the existence of tools capable of measuring not only the restoration works performed, but also their medium- and long-term effects on the community and local area, the objective here is to understand how public interventions influence residents’ lives, social cohesion, and the attractiveness of small towns. The methodology adopted intertwines the Theory of Change with multi-criteria decision-making assessment tools by combining technical data and qualitative analyses to assess the actual value begotten by public policies. In light of the fragmentation typical of minor municipalities, SEVAT Servizi Valle Trompia Scrl, an in-house structure own by the Mountain Community, acts as a coordination hub between institutions, by facilitating access to funding and supporting the socio-cultural entities eventually using the restored buildings. This essay thus focuses on the changes actually generated by SEVAT itself; impact assessments should not be limited to interventions, but also investigate into how policies can transform people’s lives, strengthen a sense of community, and generate sustainable public value.