The Happy Museum Project – a scheme which aims to “reimagine museums for a changing world” – has formed a peer learning network of 15 affiliate organisations to provide a framework for museums improving sustainability and wellbeing.

Working in collaboration, the network will take part in a series of peer-developed seminars, exhibitions, workshops, placements and other events.

“Affiliates will form part of a supportive and collaborative peer network to explore the role of museums and culture in addressing the big issues – such as climate change and social justice,” said a statement, which added that connecting affiliates to thinkers beyond the museum sector in economics, ecology and psychology will lead to exciting programmes and partnerships.

Affiliate organisations part of the new network including Art Council England’s (ACE) Major Partner Museums, Leeds Museums and Oxford University Museums, in addition to a number of independent institutions, including the London Design Museum, Manchester’s People’s History Museum and local authority museums including both Reading and Abergavenny Museum. Chester Zoo will also play a part, as will publishing agency Culture 24.

“We’re delighted that so many museums want to support a creative network based on a mutual belief in shared humanity, care and stewardship of the environment,” said Tony Butler, executive director at Derby Museums Trust and founder of the Happy Museum Project. “In these current divisive times it seems these values are more important than ever.”

The Happy Museum Project laid out a five-year plan in 2015 with the aim of making wellbeing and sustainability as familiar and relevant to museum thinking as learning and participation. It has been funded by ACE’s Museum Resilience Fund.