3F Summary Publication (English)

Project Summary 2022 - 2024

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Imprint & content YOUROPE e.V. The European Festival Association Auguststr. 18 | 53229 Bonn | Germany www.yourope.org

Table of Contents Foreword

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About 3F – Future-Fit Festivals

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European Festival Report & Survey

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This summary report is released as part of YOUROPE’s three-year project 3F – Future-Fit Festivals.

European Green Festival Roadmap 2030

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Diversity & Inclusion Toolset

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3F Safety Report

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3F – Future-Fit Festivals project lead: KME Karlsruhe Marketing und Event GmbH www.karlsruhe-event.de

Festivals for Ukraine Toolkit

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Festival Fan Survey

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European Festival Awards

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Cover photo: Lowlands festival by Max Kneefel

3F Conferences

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Transatlantic Dialogue

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The YOUROPE Knowledge Hub

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3F Campaigns

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Outlook - 3F 2.0

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About YOUROPE & KME

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Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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Foreword 2021 marked a turning point for YOUROPE (The European Festival Association). After more than 20 years of existence and groundbreaking achievements such as establishing not only a unique, very personal approach and atmosphere, but also exceptional working groups, event formats and initiatives, we applied for European funding in the middle of the pandemic for the first time. The Network Support of the Creative Europe Program offered the opportunity to expand on what had been achieved so far, to put it on a more solid foundation and, in addition, to supplement it with new, complementary activities in order to consolidate and strengthen the scope of the association.

YOUROPE certainly had experience with European projects, as it has been a partner of the longest-running and probably most successful Creative Europe project of all time the European Talent Exchange project initiated by our member organization ESNS. Since that project is primarily about developing and promoting music, artists and bands across Europe, the 3F project gave us the opportunity to concentrate on what it takes to offer them a stage as part of our festivals: future-proof

events, with skilled, happy teams and the highest possible standards in all conceivable production areas.

In times of an uncertain future, which affected our sector to the maximum during the pandemic, the scope of the project was quickly found. The goal are future-fit festivals that resiliently face any dangers and challenges, make a responsible social contribution to secure the basis of their existence, and strive to remain relevant for future generations of young audiences and professionals.

magical moments that we all love so much can continue to be created!

Karlsruhe Marketing and Event GmbH (KME), which is responsible for our member festival Das Fest, played a major role in this. Back in 2021 the organization agreed to provide administrative support for the project. A great help, for which we are very grateful.

Holger Jan Schmidt General Secretary of YOUROPE

Let's not kid ourselves: no two festivals are the same, and in many areas, there is no one size fits all solution. We cannot credibly set a standard for future-fitness. What we can do, however, is provide the thousands upon thousands of brave, creative and enthusiastic festival makers with tools and knowledge that will help them to confidently master the process of moving into the future.

After three years, I feel that YOUROPE has come closer to this goal. We speak for and especially with festivals of all kinds – from boutique to major – in all of Europe. We help outsiders understand our sometimes crazy industry and we help to ensure that the 3

Photo: Das Fest by Steffen Eirich

About 3F – Future-Fit Festivals Resilient, responsible, relevant – how can festivals become exactly that and deal with challenges like climate change, wars and pandemics? YOUROPE (The European Festival Association) has been working on a game plan for the past three years. With the help of its project “Future-Fit Festivals” (3F), co-funded by the European Union, the association provides guidelines and answers.

By the end of 2024, the 25-year-old YOUROPE network is bringing together more than 130 iconic music festivals and associated members from 30 European countries, reaching more than 7.2 million people each year. It is fair to say that 3F has helped ensure that membership numbers have reached a record high in 2024, despite market segmentation and the demise of festivals due to economic challenges.

The pandemic years have shown that festivals cannot be taken for granted: rising costs keep threatening their livelihoods, while goals to decrease carbon emissions to battle climate change further strain the creative industries.

But how can the festival industry get – and be – better? With 3F, YOUROPE spearheads the necessary transformation of the industry.

Three guiding questions The association’s festival and associated members have been at the heart of finding answers to three key questions: • What makes European festivals resilient to meet the challenges of the future?

• What does the responsible festival of the future look like, and how do we achieve that?

• How do tomorrow’s festivals ensure that they continue to play the relevant role in popular culture and the lives of millions of young people?

3F consolidates YOUROPE's approach to three focus areas: safety & reliability, climate & environment, diversity & inclusion through its cross-functional working groups such as the YES Group (YOUROPE Event Safety Group) and GO Group (Green Operations Europe).

Although YOUROPE is the biggest association for music festivals in Europe, it cannot master this challenge alone. To include the entire industry in the process, the organisation established systematic dialogue structures to encourage exchange between creative industry professionals, audiences, artists as well as public and private decision makers that helped 4

reach 3F goals and develop the project’s tools and publications.

Training professionals all across Europe Among other activities, YOUROPE provided capacity building through hosting 12 training events all across Europe on the subjects of event safety, green operations, marketing & communication, DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) as well as human resources and wellbeing. These training events reached more than 3000 people from Barcelona to Bratislava with various formats such as workshops, lectures, case studies and discussion panels.

3F’s central publications YOUROPE now can guide festivals in Europe and beyond even better with a number of dedicated publications developed by the experts of the network and thoroughly described in this report: The European Festival Report (EFR) – an annual, comprehensive summary of the festival season including (among other things) the results of a pan-European promoters survey.

The 2024 edition also featured the results of 3F’s pan-European festival fan survey.

The European Green Festival Roadmap 2030 – a tool that helps festivals navigate the requirements of the EU Green Deal in alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Diversity & Inclusion Toolset – supporting festivals in creating diverse and inclusive events for everyone including guides, tests, checklists, interviews, databases, other toolkits, roadmaps, reports, games and action plans.

The 3F Safety Report, created by the members of the YES Group – documenting the challenges and achievements of the three post-pandemic years from a safety perspective – with an outlook on the future.

The Festivals for Ukraine Toolkit – creating blueprints of the vast number of support activities of European festivals in general and particularly by our colleagues for the people in Ukraine. The idea to create this output came after the start of the project, as the effects of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 had not been covered in the project design, which was written in 2021.

Knowledge exchange is a main driver of the YOUROPE network, which is reflected in the creation and development of the YOUROPE Hub. There, all the tools mentioned above can be found together with a vast amount of

case studies, helpful guidelines and supportive tools for popular music festivals.

for this. During the project period, these were:

Worldwide advocacy for music festivals

• #ImpossibleWithoutYouth (during the European year Of Youth) – thanking young festival audiences for their sacrifices during the pandemic

Another focus of 3F was that YOUROPE lives up to its responsibility as the most important organization for popular music festivals and tells the various stakeholders what the sector is capable of, what the challenges are and how innovation is lived. In addition to the newly introduced European Festival Report already mentioned, we can mention in this regard: The European Festival Awards – every year, YOUROPE celebrates the successes and innovations of the industry with about 15 awards at the "Oscars" of the European festival sector, with hundreds of thousands of votes cast, well over 100 nominees and a sold-out gala as part of ESNS, the most important conference for the live music sector in Europe.

Pan-European communication campaigns – although European music festivals are strong brands on their own and have very individual communication strategies, YOUROPE regularly succeeds in uniting them behind shared values with a great public effect. Using international campaigns taking place primarily on social media and spread by each festival in a personalized way via its own channels, has proven to be a successful tool 5

• #FestivalsForUkraine – awareness raising and fundraising for a special project of partner organization Music Saves Ukraine • #WeVoteForEurope – calling festival fans to use of their right to vote in the European elections • #LifeIsLive – supporting an initiative of member organization EXIT Festival (RS) focusing on mental health and the value of real-life experiences.

In the past three years, with these important topics, YOUROPE and the participating organizations from more than 30 countries reached more than 10.7 million people (technically) with a projected number of views of 1.8 million .

International dialogue – within the framework of 3F, YOUROPE has expanded its structures and used them to develop international and interorganizational exchange. In doing so, new and stronger connections were developed with various stakeholder groups:

• The wider European festival industry – hundreds of colleagues in all markets on the continent were reached, which was reflected by their participation in surveys, campaigns and events.

• European cultural organizations comparable to YOUROPE – 3F is a kind of paradigm shift for the association, because the perception and interest from other networks and associations has reached completely new levels. Today, YOUROPE is in regular exchange with over 25 of these organizations.

• European festival associations and specialist organizations – common goals, different interests, international support, general exchange. YOUROPE is now in direct contact with over 30 organizations such as European national festival associations, consultancies and NGOs for 3F focus issues.

• Worldwide exchange forums and dialogue formats – representatives and members of YOUROPE, working group experts and ambassadors have spread the network's expertise, the 3F results and the values of the sector all over the world. This is demonstrated by well over 50 conference contributions in Europe and beyond – from Santa Barbara to Seoul. In particular, the intensive exchange with the US market within the frame of FestForums (US) and

Future of Festivals (DE) deserves a special mention.

Gathering the European Festival Family The YOUROPE network with its expertise is a welcome guest on the stages of conferences, conventions and forums that deal with the field of live music and popular music culture.

As part of 3F, we were prominently represented at the leading events on the continent such as ESNS, ILMC, Reeperbahn Festival, MaMA Music & Convention, BIME, ADE & ADE Green, Green Events & Innovation, Linecheck, Ment, Tallinn Music Week and many more. In addition, YOUROPE has placed a special focus both on supporting events with an exclusive focus on festivals and on organizing them ourselves. Within 3F, we held two conferences with different formats and focusses: The European Festival Conference (EFC) is a travelling and intimate event, which brings together a limited number of participants (approx. 60) to enable a very intense and personal exchange and also to set the YOUROPE agenda for the near future. In November 2023, the EFC moved to Zrće Beach, Pag Island, Croatia.

At the end of the project in mid-November 2024, the European Festival Summit took place for the first time. In Karlsruhe, YOUROPE and member organization Karlsruhe Marketing 6

& Event GmbH (KME) – 3F project lead – welcomed 200 participants from over 20 countries to exchange ideas, experience and knowledge regarding the future of the industry in general and the 3F focus topics in particular – based on the groundbreaking work of the project teams in the past three years and the respective results and publications.

Hereafter, we would like to take a closer look at the most important activities and results of this network project. The respective QR codes will lead you directly to info websites, publications or reports.

Access 3F info page:

Photos: 2022 Nature One | 2023 Electric Love Festival by pikzelz | 2024 Roskilde Festival by Malthe Ivarsson

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European Festival Report (EFR) YOUROPE and member organization ILMC/IQ Magazine have joined forces to create the European Festival Report (EFR), an innovative publication that offers free, indepth insights into the popular music festival industry. Released annually, the EFR is a vital resource for professionals across the globe, providing a comprehensive view of the trends, challenges, and achievements shaping Europe’s festival scene.

continent participated in Europe’s biggest Festival Fan Survey to this date. Together, these findings provide a detailed snapshot of the industry and its audience, shedding light on emerging trends and ongoing challenges. Alongside this data, the report will review the highlights of the 2024 festival year, offering a narrative of the events that shaped the season.

With 60 pages of meticulously curated content, the report is accessible online and in a limited free printed edition, distributed to IQ Magazine subscribers and shared worldwide. This ensures that the wealth of information reaches a broad audience, from festival organizers and industry stakeholders to fans and cultural policymakers. The EFR is the result of a collaboration of IQ Magazine's editorial team, led by James Drury, and the 3F project team, supported by experts from YOUROPE's working groups.

Interviews with prominent festival professionals bring a personal dimension to the report, with insights from leaders such as Mikko Niemelä of Ruisrock, Marta Pallarès (Primavera Sound), or Pukkelpop’s Chokri Mahassine. Sustainability continues to play a crucial role, with the report offering updates on green initiatives and practical advice for organizers aiming to reduce their environmental impact. The 2024 edition has a special focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion at festivals, underlining the industry’s efforts to foster greater representation and fairness.

The 2024 edition explores the latest developments in the European festival world, drawing on the results of extensive surveys. More than 220 festival promoters have contributed to the European Festival Survey, while 7,000+ fans from across the

Health and safety remain key concerns for festivals, and the 2024 edition presents the findings of the 3F Safety Report. The challenge of securing major headliners, an increasingly pressing issue for festivals, is also explored, adding to the range of topics 8

covered. News and updates from YOUROPE's working groups and the association itself complete the publication, highlighting the organization's ongoing contributions to the sector.

Since its inception, the EFR has established itself as a vital resource for the live music industry. The 2023 edition offered valuable insights into the festival season, with input from 230 festivals and interviews with leaders such as Mikołaj Ziółkowski of Alter Art and Cindy Castillo of Mad Cool. It examined VIP ticketing strategies, health and safety priorities, and the successes and challenges of the year. Similarly, the 2022 edition featured data from 200 festivals and showcased innovative brand partnerships, sustainability efforts, and key industry leaders, including Stephan Thanscheidt of FKP Scorpio and Tamás Kádár of Sziget Festival.

The European Festival Report stands as a testament to the vibrancy and resilience of Europe’s festival scene. By providing unparalleled insights and fostering dialogue across the industry, it celebrates the achievements of the past year while equipping stakeholders with the knowledge needed to navigate future challenges.

European Festival Survey The European Festival Survey launched in 2022 to track the health of the European festival industry following the Covid-19 pandemic. We have been following metrics such as ticket sales, prices, the concerns of festival organisers, and their attitudes towards topics such as sustainability.

In our first survey, respondents were asked about the effects of Covid-19 on their businesses, and the responses made for a depressing reading, with plenty of comments such as “a disaster” and “a catastrophe.” All described huge financial losses, and a reduction in the available workforce, as people left the industry for other (more secure) jobs.

However, over the following three years, it has been fascinating to watch festivals recover from this tumultuous period, overcome the challenges in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic to arrive in 2024, when many things had changed, but a handful of issues persisted.

Here’s what we discovered over the three years of the survey: Ticket prices In 2022, the price of the average whole-event ticket was €176.85, and day tickets were €74.70. In 2023, whole-event tickets rose to an average of €191.93, reflecting an 8%

increase, while day tickets increased to €83.02. In 2024, the average whole-event ticket price was €198.05, showing a slower growth rate. Day tickets increased to €87.10.

When it came to sales, 2022 saw the largest proportion of sold-out festivals across the three years, likely due to the fact that many people held on to their tickets from the previous years when events were banned due to the pandemic. In 2023, 21% sold out – a drop from 29% in 2022 –, while 2024 saw the same 21% sell-out rate. In 2024, there were more festivals that were over 80% sold out (71%) than in 2023 (64%).

Staffing The pandemic saw much experienced festival staff leave the industry for jobs in other sectors that weren’t being as impacted by the lockdowns, resulting in a severe lack of personnel across Europe. Reflecting this, in 2022, 53% of survey respondents reported staff shortages as a major concern. However, by 2023, the situation had improved significantly, with only 7% citing it as their main concern, and by 2024, only 4% said it was a major concern.

Production costs One trend that remained constant across the three years was the rise in production costs.

In 2022, 90% of festivals said this was a major issue for them, and it has remained a top priority for the following two years.

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Artist availability Booking artists has become increasingly difficult, with 63% of festivals citing this as a key challenge in 2022 and remaining a ‘top three concern’ over the following years.

Sustainability In 2023, 81% of the respondents said they planned to become climate neutral in the future, a similar number to 2022. The figure fell slightly to 77% in 2024. But the number of festivals that said they already were climate neutral rose from 4% in 2022 to 7% in 2024.

The three years of the European Festival Survey paint a picture of an industry emerging from crisis, overcoming the problems of the pandemic, to recover and move into a new period of change. The resilience and adaptability of teams is reflected in all of the data, presenting the festival business as one that evolves and meets its challenges with practicality.

You can find the results of the annual surveys in the European Festival reports of the respective years on the YOUROPE and IQ websites.

Access survey results:

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European Green Festival Roadmap 2030 In early 2023, YOUROPE released the “European Green Festival Roadmap 2030”.

The Roadmap aims to give European festivals and events a reliable guide for sustainable actions, including measures they will need to accomplish the inevitable process of transformation until the end of the decade.

These guidelines on sustainable events are based on the requirement of the EU Green Deal – cutting emissions by at least 55% by 2030. It also considers the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and industry requirements. The Roadmap is the result of a collaboration with experts from A Greener Future (AGF) and Greener Events Norway as well as YOUROPE’s GO Group (Green Operations Europe) think tank.

The European Green Festival Roadmap 2030 supports the festival sector in finding appropriate measures to fight emissions and other harmful environmental impacts.

To bring about the necessary change towards more sustainable events, it is important to set clear goals, think large and long-term.

For this purpose, the Roadmap provides a comprehensive framework for the ambitious sustainable improvement of

cultural events. In seven fields of action, the suggested actions range from management structures to specific practical measures in the creation and production process: • • • • • • •

Strategy Energy Materials & Waste Food & Beverage Travel & Transport Water Community & Biodiversity

The Roadmap is public and free to use for any festival or cultural event. This is the first pan-European publication of its kind to be jointly developed and published by and for the festival sector. It can serve as a relevant tool for organizers of festivals and other large (open-air) events, also far beyond the borders of the EU. The Roadmap was presented at conferences worldwide, receiving overwhelming interest and feedback.

Originally, the development process had started in early 2022 with a kick-off workshop and public discussion panels with representatives of the European Commission and Parliament.

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Holger Jan Schmidt General Secretary of YOUROPE, GO Group co-founder “Improving our festivals and increasing sustainability throughout the industry is an ongoing topic for YOUROPE and also for me personally. That's why it's a particular pleasure to present the European Green Festival Roadmap as the icing on the cake of tools we recently published – all are open source, accessible to everyone and transferable to other cultural areas. We believe that the Roadmap is a big step in the only right direction. Also, it serves as an excellent basis for further exciting and helpful projects.”

Linnéa Svensson Greener Events Norway, GO Group co-founder “Climate change is already upon us. Heavy rain and severe drought are becoming increasingly normal, which tells us there’s no time to lose. It is time to act now – and this roadmap will guide you to get started or even to get more advanced. If you haven’t already, just start by starting!”

“After nearly two decades working with festivals worldwide for sustainability, we’re really happy to harness and share learnings in this European Green Festival Roadmap with YOUROPE. The Roadmap helps prioritize and simplify the actions individual festivals need to take and shines a light on areas for collective effort by the industry and beyond.”

Claire O’Neill CEO A Greener Future Photo: ADE Green by Roeland Hoefsloot

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Diversity & Inclusion Toolset In time for the festival season 2024, YOUROPE released the “3F Diversity & Inclusion Toolset” for the European festival sector. The Toolset is a curated collection of resources that can help festival organizers make their events more diverse and inclusive – for their visitors, artists and staff.

This toolset is full of resources that help festival makers create more inclusive and diverse festivals – for the audience, artists and their own team. Resources include guides, tests, checklists, interviews, databases, other toolkits, roadmaps, reports, games and action plans. Most were created by different expert organizations all across Europe and sometimes even beyond. The toolset is public and free to use for any festival or cultural event.

Other contents were created by the project team, e.g., 13 stories of festivals and projects that have implemented measures for more inclusion and diversity. The team wrote these stories, so that festival makers can find inspiration and learn more about goodpractices that they can replicate at their own festivals.

The toolset comes as a PDF and an online version. In the PDF, each resource and story are introduced with a few key facts, a teaser of the contents, and a link to yourope.org. There,

readers will find full texts explaining the tools and the good-practice examples in detail, as well as download links of the resources.

Common types of discrimination (e.g. ableist, racist, and sexist) inspired the Toolset’s topics.

Chapters are dedicated to: • • • • • •

Accessibility & Inclusion Anti-Racism Work & Diversity Gender & Sexual Equity Consciousness & Responsibility Allyship and good-practice stories.

To explain terms like “FLINTA*”, “ableism”, and “BIPoC”, the team also assembled a glossary.

Plus, they have written a ‘Diversity Mission Statement’ that festivals are free to copy and adapt to their own event.

The Toolset is the result of a collaboration of experts from the YOUROPE network, e.g. from Roskilde Festival (DK), Primavera Sound (ES), Flow Festival (FI), Höme – Für Festivals (DE), Open’er Festival (PL) and OpenAir St.Gallen (CH). They were supported by an advisory board of external experts from different countries and backgrounds.

This is the first pan-European publication of its size and topical range to be jointly developed and published by and for the festival sector. It 14

can serve as a relevant toolset for organizers of festivals and other large (open-air) events, also far beyond the borders of the EU. For the first time, the Toolset had been presented to the public at ESNS 2024, in a panel giving a sneak peek of its contents.

Originally, the development process had started in October 2023.

Katharina Weber YOUROPE project management, editor of the Toolset “When we talk to festival organizers about diversity at their events, we sometimes hear that they would like to do more, but they don’t know where to start. They’re afraid of doing something wrong, saying the wrong thing, and the potential backlash that might cause, so they don’t touch the topic.

With this toolset, we give festival organizers a chance to fight this insecurity. It’s a place to start their diversity journey. Our project team did the research and assessed many resources on accessible, diverse, and equal events, so festival organizers don’t have to do it. On top, we hope to inspire them with our stories about goodpractice examples from festivals that show how more diversity and inclusion can be achieved.”

"Something stuck with me after a short conversation with the Awareness Team at Reeperbahn Festival in 2023. They handed me a little sticker, a perfect form of a circle made with these words: "It's a process it's a process it's a process." And indeed, making our festivals better, safer, more diverse and more inclusive IS a process: the more you know, the more you realize the things you still don't. And if you are just getting introduced to these concepts, finding where to start can feel overwhelming, even if you might sense that the moment to begin is now.

This is the main goal of our toolset: if your festival is already doing great, but you'd like to get inspiration and ideas to do even better, this is for you. And if you want to start somewhere but you don't know how... this is for you as well. Remember: it is a process, and doesn't matter where you are, as a circle doesn't have a beginning or an end. Everyone is welcome in it, as long as you decide to join. Welcome aboard.”

Marta Pallarès Head of Press at Primavera Sound, YOUROPE board member, co-developer of the toolset 15

Photo: ESNS by Holger Jan Schmidt

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3F Safety Report The YOUROPE Event Safety (YES) Group remains a leader in festival safety, highlighted once more by the 2024 release of the “3F Safety Report”. This comprehensive analysis examines challenges and opportunities in the festival industry from 2022 to 2024, a time when the return of live events brought both joy and significant operational challenges.

growing concerns. Digital vulnerabilities in ticketing, cashless systems, and access credentials require advanced security measures to prevent breaches.

Challenges in the post-pandemic era

The report identifies key issues such as staffing shortages and inexperienced teams post pandemic, logistical hurdles, extreme weather, and new attendee behaviors. It focuses on three core areas:

The initial excitement of festivals’ return in 2022 masked challenges like staff shortages, inflation, and shifting crowd dynamics. Many events operated with inexperienced teams and faced unpredictable behaviors from younger attendees. Rising production costs forced organizers to balance budgets while ensuring safety.

1. Weather-Related Risks: Unpredictable weather, from heatwaves to storms, requires robust risk management. Events like Spain’s Medusa Festival, where high winds caused a fatal structure collapse, underscore the importance of evacuation plans, real-time response teams, and structural safety protocols.

Extreme weather exacerbated issues, with incidents like Germany’s Wacken Open Air ingress stop due to mudslides highlighting the need for proactive planning. Crowd incidents at events like Boardmasters in the UK and unauthorized access breaches further stressed the importance of effective crowd and credential management.

2. Thorough Documentation: Detailed records of risk assessments, safety plans, and incident responses are essential for efficient operations and legal accountability. Documenting “nearmisses” helps improve protocols and enhances industry knowledge-sharing.

Adapting to new threats

3. Emerging Risks: Cyberattacks, political activism, and misuse of accreditations are

By 2024, festivals shifted focus toward resilience and innovation. Climate change remains a top concern, prompting collaboration with meteorologists, stronger structural designs, and evacuation protocols.

Cybersecurity is now integral to risk 17

management, addressing vulnerabilities in digital infrastructure and preventing operational disruptions.

Emerging threats like activism and protests require balanced strategies to ensure safety while respecting public freedom. Coordinated de-escalation training, controlled protest zones, and clear communication with attendees help maintain order without compromising the festival experience.

Fostering resilience through collaboration The YES Group’s three-year survey highlights the industry’s evolution from the excitement of 2022 to a more strategic approach by 2024.

Knowledge-sharing, data-driven planning, and improved training are central to building resilience. Festivals are adapting to rising challenges by fostering a culture of preparedness and openness, ensuring safer, more enjoyable experiences for everyone.

Looking ahead The festival industry continues to balance innovation with safety, addressing both traditional risks and emerging challenges like cyber threats. By prioritizing collaboration, preparedness, and adaptability, festivals remain vibrant spaces for community and celebration despite a rapidly changing risk landscape.

"Each year, the European event landscape continues to evolve, shaped by unpredictable challenges, constant innovations, and growing public expectations. In this context, festival safety remains a central issue, where our collective commitment must be unwavering to ensure memorable and safe events for everyone. As a member of the YOUROPE Event Safety Group, I have the privilege of observing and contributing to a shared reflection on the complex issues our festivals face. The topics addressed in the 3F Safety Report – be it crowd movements, climate risks, or new societal threats such as harassment or activism – reflect our determination to stay ahead of emerging challenges.

This report, the result of contributions from European experts, is much more than a simple overview. It is an invitation to action and innovation. Through rigorous analyses, practical feedback, and actionable solutions, it serves as an essential tool for supporting organizers, security teams, and public authorities in their pursuit of excellence and resilience. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to every group member for their dedication and shared experiences. Together, we continue to shape a future where European festivals remain spaces of freedom, creativity, and joy, without ever compromising safety.”

Pascal Viot Paléo Festival Nyon, Director of Safety, Security and Services 18

Photo: Paléo Festival by Basile Barbey

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Festivals for Ukraine Toolkit YOUROPE together with Music Saves Ukraine, the humanitarian initiative created by the Ukrainian Association of Music Events (UAME), released the Festivals for Ukraine Toolkit. It provides information about various measures and activities festival organizers can employ to use their festivals as a platform for raising funds and awareness for important causes.

The tools featured in this publication have been tested, iterated upon and successfully implemented by Music Saves Ukraine since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.

Thanks to cooperation projects with YOUROPE and many of its member festivals as well as other European music festivals and events, thousands of people were reached and significant funds were raised which were used responsibly and effectively by Music Saves Ukraine to provide humanitarian aid in Ukraine.

The toolkit contains step-by-step guides, case studies and advice on how to implement various schemes and activities within events and festivals. It is public and free to use for any festival or cultural event and can be viewed online or downloaded as a PDF. While the toolkit is based on case studies related to Music Saves Ukraine, the tools described possess a high degree of transferability and can easily be used to

advance and raise for any other charitable cause: refugee aid, environmental action, inclusion and diversity, etc.

The toolkit’s main part features sections on fundraising and awareness-raising tools like artist bookings, discussion panels and speeches, special performances, bottles recycling, cup deposit and guest list donations, charity merchandise, auctions and raffles and others. The last part talks about special projects like the Music Ambassadors Tour and Pohoda Loves Ukraine, which together with the festival collaborations helped Music Saves Ukraine further in their mission of raising funds and awareness for Ukraine.

The toolkit is the result of a collaboration between the teams of YOUROPE’s 3F project and Music Saves Ukraine. It also features quotes and materials provided by various YOUROPE member festivals among these ARTmania (RO), Das Fest (DE), Les Eurockéennes de Belfort (FR), OpenAir St.Gallen (CH), Pohoda Festival (SK), Superbloom (DE), and Sziget (HU).

Holger Jan Schmidt General Secretary YOUROPE “YOUROPE has been committed to helping our Ukrainian members, partners and friends for well over two years now. So that they can be heard, do 20

humanitarian work and reach the right people on their mission. It feels good to see, despite the serious situation, how successfully our network has provided and continues to provide this urgently needed help.

Because of the relevance of this topic, this defining activity of our network during the past years has now also become part of our European project 3F. In this respect, this toolkit is several things in one: a documentation of successful work, another public communication tool for the important cause of our Ukrainian partners Music Saves UA and Ukrainian Association of Music Events (UAME), and an inspiration for everyone who wants to raise awareness and funds with their festival and cultural events.”

Vlad Yaremchuk Editor of the toolkit, Music Saves Ukraine & Atlas Festival “For us, this toolkit is proof of the power of music and an opportunity to give something back to the wonderful festival community that has supported us. We hope that our experience and advice on how to work with festivals to raise awareness and funds for Ukraine will inspire even more action across the industry and result in an even bigger positive impact on the world we live in.”

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Europe’s biggest Festival Fan Survey In order to better understand audience needs during these trying times in festival history, YOUROPE and Höme with its festival platform infield, launched this year's European Festival Fan Survey and asked visitors about their preferences regarding activities, value added services, accommodation, sustainability, social responsibility and budget. Visitors were able to leave their opinion between September 1st and October 14th 2024.

large-scale, multi-day festivals, with atmosphere, music, and social interactions driving their decision to attend.

International headliners still play an important role, but festival-goers prioritize the overall experience and setting, underscoring the need for event organizers to focus on creating memorable environments and communal vibes.

Key takeaways

Interestingly, sustainability remains a secondary concern for many visitors. While a significant portion of festival-goers feels that event organizers should take responsibility for environmental measures, fewer fans are willing to sacrifice their own comfort – especially in terms of transport.

This suggests that while there is growing awareness around eco-friendly practices, convincing festival fans to change their behaviors may require more robust incentives or seamless integrations of greener options into the overall experience.

The 2024 European Festival Fan Survey highlights several critical insights into the visitor’s current standpoints towards their attended events. First and foremost, the majority of attendees continues to seek

Another key finding revolves around accessibility and inclusivity, as the survey reveals progress toward creating safer and more inclusive spaces. While festivals have made progress in ensuring physical safety

More than 7,000 fans from 46 countries filled out the survey, giving insights into a broad spectrum of likes, dislikes and behaviors that are vital for conceptualizing events in the following years.

Over the next pages, we’ll look at the details of the survey results, making sense of the findings and applying them to what our festival culture might look like in the future.

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and accessibility to the festival site, they are still severely lacking when it comes to onsite services for people with a disability, be it a visual, hearing, mobility impairment or neurodivergence.

From a budgetary standpoint, fans appear divided on ticket prices, with about half accepting the current rates and the other half feeling the strain of rising costs. While attendees are generally open to spending on-site, additional value-adding services such as VIP passes, sustainable options, or meet-and-greets are only of interest to a minority, nonetheless paving the way for additional income if conceptualized in the right way.

Overall, the survey paints a picture of a festival landscape where the core elements of music, atmosphere, and social connection remain vital. However, the evolving preferences for sustainability, accessibility, and added services indicate that festival organizers need to adapt to a more diverse and conscientious audience if they want to continue thriving in the years ahead.

“The European Festival Fan Survey is the first pan-European survey of its kind. With 7.000+ participants, it gives valuable insights into what fans are experiencing at and expecting from their favorite events. Especially in times, when production costs are constantly rising while ticket sales are slowing down and worldwide crises prevail, it is incredibly important to get into the minds of our visitors and adjust our strategies accordingly, to make festivals fit for the years to come.”

Isabel Roudsarabi Co-director of Höme & Infield Photo: Pohoda Festival by Martinal Mlčúchová

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European Festival Awards (EFA) The European Festival Awards (EFAs), established in 2009, are a prestigious celebration recognizing the achievements of Europe’s vibrant festival industry. Spanning 14 categories, the Awards honor festivals and individuals, that drive innovation, sustainability, and cultural impact. With its 14th edition scheduled for January 15, 2025, in Groningen, Netherlands, the event is expected to gather over 200 industry professionals and will feature performances from Europe’s emerging talents, creating an electrifying atmosphere to advocate for the sector and celebrate its accomplishments.

Core award categories especially for the 3F focus topics include the Green Operations Award, honoring sustainable practices, and the Event Safety Award, which recognizes innovations in health and safety. The Take a Stand Award highlights social awareness initiatives, while the Brand Activation Award celebrates creative partnerships.

Widely regarded as the premier event for Europe’s popular music festivals, the EFAs combine public voting and jury deliberation.

With hundreds of thousands of votes cast annually, the Awards represent a diverse and inclusive celebration of the festival community.

The financial contribution through 3F helps the European Festival Awards remain a vital platform for the acknowledgment of great achievement, collaboration, and inspiration, championing innovation and sustainability while honoring the enduring cultural impact of popular music festivals across Europe.

In 2022, the 13th edition welcomed participants from over 30 countries, with 300,000 public votes cast, leading to 124 nominees. Major winners included Atlas Festival & Music Saves UA, who received the Take a Stand Award for their support of Ukrainian civilians, and Superbloom (DE), who took home the Best New Festival Award for its outstanding debut. Roskilde Festival (DK) received three honors, winning the Impossible Without Youth Award for its empowerment of young audiences as well as the Best Major Festival and Lifetime Achievement Awards after their 50th edition.

The 2023 ceremony built on this success, with 111 nominees and 300,000 votes cast by the public. Glastonbury Festival (UK) won Line-Up of the Year for its outstanding artist curation, while Pohoda Festival (SK) was awarded Best Medium-Sized Festival. The Green Operations Award went to Boom Festival (PT), presented 26

by Judith Videcoq, Head of Creative Europe Unit, highlighting Boom’s commitment to sustainability. Hurricane Festival (DE) was named Best Major Festival, reflecting its scale and success, while the Award for Excellence & Passion recognized Eric van Eerdenburg of Lowlands Festival (NL) for his dedication. The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Ruud Berends, honoring his enduring legacy in shaping the European festival scene.

Looking ahead, the 2024 European Festival Awards will see the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Juhani Merimaa, pioneer of Finnish music and festivals. With over five decades of influence, Merimaa has played a vital role as the promoter and CEO of festivals like Ruisrock, Ankkarock, and Tuska. His leadership has profoundly impacted Finnish and European music culture.

This edition will also introduce the New Kid on the Block Award, celebrating rising talents under the age of 31, underscoring the EFAs’ commitment to fostering the next generation of industry leaders.

Access europeanfestivalawards.org:

“The European Festival Awards are YOUROPE's flagship event. Like no other, they allow us to give the entire industry a stage. Festivals of all sizes and affiliations from all over Europe are invited and we manage to celebrate the achievements of the events and the special individuals behind them in a festive yet authentic way. It is satisfying to see how happy our colleagues are about the awards and how they subsequently integrate them into event communication as a testimonial.

The support from our European 3F project helps considerably, especially in implementing the specialist categories such as the Green Operations, Event Safety, Take a Stand and New Kid on the Block Awards, which are particularly about the resilience, responsibility and relevance of our festivals.”

Christof Huber YOUROPE Chairman & Director Festivals at Gadget Entertainment Group AG

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Photo: Jaap Kroon

Photos: Bilbao BBK Live by Sharon Lopez & Noa Glamping Resort

Conferences

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3F Conferences Held at Noa Glamping Resort on Pag Island (HR) in November 2023 the European Festival Conference (EFC) welcomed over 50 festivals and organizations from 16 markets. Key topics included climate resilience, ticketing strategies, and inclusivity. While extreme weather was discussed – such as Open’er’s evacuation during a storm and Wacken Open Air’s community-driven response to flooding – the focus also extended to practical measures for future-proofing festivals. Christof Huber of YOUROPE admitted the industry is underprepared for rising temperatures, calling for sharing solutions from regions accustomed to heat.

The evolving ticketing landscape was another priority. A panel featuring Die Toten Hosen agent Kiki Ressler explored balancing rising production costs with fans’ willingness to pay, with schemes for low-income ticketing gaining traction. Meanwhile, Vlad Yaremchuk and Mariana Mokrynska of Music Saves Ukraine detailed how festivals raised over €91,000 in 2023 for humanitarian aid in Ukraine through merch sales, donations, and guest list fees.

Inclusivity and innovation were key themes.

German festival platform Höme presented insights into gender balance and accessibility, with its guide now adopted by over 200

festivals. Discussions on AI explored its potential to enhance marketing, with Ola Krakowska of Alter Art highlighting the balance between human creativity and technological efficiency.

Despite challenges, EFC celebrated the passion driving the sector. Social activities like a tour of a salt museum and a pub quiz fostered community among attendees, while sessions emphasized the importance of collaboration and shared values in an uncertain landscape.

In Karlsruhe (DE), the European Festival Summit (EFS) gathered 200 participants from over 20 countries in November 2024, offering a broader perspective on the industry. Opening with futurologist Max Thinius urging festivals to shape societal change, the summit highlighted the power of uniqueness. Primavera Sound’s Marta Pallarès and Lowlands’ Eric van Eerdenburg warned against homogenization, emphasizing unique programming and local connections as keys to success.

Sustainability and inclusivity took center stage.

YOUROPE and Höme’s fan survey revealed that while 87% of fans support eco-friendly initiatives, only 29% take personal action.

Accessibility ratings were low, with satisfaction among neurodivergent and disabled attendees 29

at just 5-15%. Boom Festival showcased ecoconscious practices like permaculture, while Roskilde Festival focused on fostering trust and creativity through its Utopia-inspired ethos.

Gen Z engagement strategies stressed authenticity and interactivity, with Promoplug’s Julius Lutz advocating for micro-influencers and immersive campaigns. Rising costs remained a concern, with organizers like Rock en Seine’s Arnaud Meersseman noting challenges in securing headline acts. Mad Cool’s Cindy Castillo described doubling marketing budgets to sustain ticket sales, while Alter Art’s Mikolaj Ziółkowski encouraged investment during tough times.

Digital security emerged as a pressing issue, with German and Swiss experts cautioning against vulnerabilities in ticketing and payment systems. Climate risks also featured, with Pohoda Festival’s response to a storm highlighting the need for robust weather plans.

Both events concluded with calls for collaboration, innovation, and a return to core values. As YOUROPE chairman Christof Huber noted at EFC, “The festival business does not feel that secure right now,” but by fostering dialogue and unity, the sector can adapt and thrive amidst change.

Photo: Stephan Faber

“For two days, the heart of the European festival sector beat in Karlsruhe. It was an honor to host so many of our colleagues. It was simply great to be able to feel the passion and soul that drives us all to work tirelessly for our unique festivals. We are the platforms for a little “utopia” in difficult times – and we exemplify the European cohesion that we now need in all areas. Thank you for the great cooperation!”

Martin Wacker CEO Karlsruhe Marketing und Event GmbH & Das Fest

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Transatlantic Dialogue

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Photos: Chris Jensen & Christoph Schöning

3F Transatlantic Dialogue From Berlin, Roskilde, Barcelona, New Orleans (Germany), Primavera Sound (Spain), New American and European musical festivals.” From and Los Angeles to Santa Barbara… and Berlin: Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (Jazzfest, US) Primavera Sound, Marta Pallarès echoed the for the first time ever, in 2024 YOUROPE and Goldenvoice, promoter of – Coachella (US), sentiment adding that “from the way Europeans transcended the European borders to share among others. These industry leaders explored collaborate through networks like YOUROPE, to knowledge and learn from festivals in the US and among themselves and with further attendees learning from festivals championing host them back in Germany for the second part what it means to create resilient, responsible, sustainability, how to share knowledge on safety of the project. From the desert stages of and relevant festivals in today's landscape: the and security or how to engage with the Coachella to the historic grounds of Roskilde, three core principles of the 3F project guided communities which welcome your event, this festival producers from both sides of the Atlantic discussions on crucial topics including talent exchange has been an incredible chance to see came together to reimagine the future of live acquisition, sustainability initiatives, gender how different, and yet how similar, we all are. In equality, fan engagement and health and safety the end, we all do care about the same: creating music celebrations. amazing memories while enjoying music and The journey unfolded in three key gatherings: a measures. celebrating life". sun-drenched February gathering in Santa Unique expertise from lighthouse events Barbara, California, where FestForums set the Each participating festival contributed with their A paradigm shift of festival economics stage for tackling upcoming challenges. This was unique expertise: Roskilde Festival shared Jazzfest’s Eugenie EJ Encalarde offered a followed by two November sessions: one at the insights on non-profit operations and youth forward-looking perspective during a session in 3F closing event European Festival Summit in projects; Primavera Sound discussed their Karlsruhe: "We are at a paradigm shift in terms of Karlsruhe, looking ahead to the future, and one achievements on gender balance; Coachella and festival economics, the type of workers we have, at Berlin’s Future of Festivals (FoF) that drew Lollapalooza provided perspectives as major and the people who come. We have to be the record attendance, marking the conclusion of an powerhouses on talent booking strategies; and disruptors, to find a way to strip down the model ambitious 2024. The dialogue included the Jazzfest demonstrated their approach to we had for many years and go back to the discussion panels, roundtable formats as well as building multigenerational communities while meaning of why we're producing festivals." one-on-one consultations. operating in a climate-challenged environment.

Indeed, successful exchanges like the one A female dream team of festival executives Laurie Kirby, CEO of FestForums, who also spoke YOUROPE facilitated this year are one of the This program brought together an impressive on “The Impact of Festival Productions Shows best reminders and inspirations for roster of festival organizers, including and Conferences” panel in Berlin, declared that remembering why so many people around the representatives from Roskilde Festival this project has been “a fascinating and deep world are still producing festivals, despite the (Denmark), Lollapalooza Berlin and Superbloom dive into the similarities and differences between many challenges they face.

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“This was an inspiring and game-changing experience! It was a hub of innovation, where discussions on technology, sustainability, and audience engagement challenged us to think boldly about the future of live entertainment. The opportunities to connect with industry leaders and a diverse range of professionals created invaluable collaborations and fresh ideas. The focus on advocacy, professional growth and community-building made it clear that we’re not just shaping events, but shaping the future of festival culture itself. I left feeling energized, equipped, and ready to take on the evolving challenges of our industry.”

Eugenie EJ Encalarde President of Festival Production Inc., New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Photo: Future Of Festivals by Jan Pyko

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The YOUROPE Knowledge Hub The YOUROPE Hub has proven to be a useful communication and dissemination tool for all 3F contents and results. It has also become a valuable collection of important publications created by partners as well as unrelated organizations that all have in common to focus on making festivals future-fit. The Hub has grown to now consist of an online library including guidelines, survey forms and results, a best practice collection, and articles with various announcements. During 3F, YOUROPE has made significant progress in making the Hub the central knowledge hub for festival and live event organizers looking for information on 3F’s core topics: safety, environmental sustainability, and inclusion & diversity.

The YOUROPE Hub was launched on July 31st, 2023. At launch, the Hub already included about 40 entries. This number has grown to almost 200, constituting the final number of entries – for now. YOUROPE’s new EU-funded project, 3F 2.0, ensures that the Hub will be continually complemented with new resources in the coming four years.

The Hub’s resources are sorted into five categories: “Publication”, “Best practice”,

“Tools”, “Article”, and “Event”. “Best practice” includes case studies of projects and festivals that are exceptional in some way and can serve as a role model for others to copy.

“Publication” comprises guides, handbooks, reports, scientific documents, survey results etc. that can inform readers on new developments, show them what the current state of the art is in various areas, or teach them how to run events better, greener and safer. “Tools” shows online resources that are more interactive than PDFs, for example CO₂ calculators.

“Article” is for news and announcements.

“Events” shows posts on YOUROPE events like members meetings, conferences and training events, which are also presented on a dedicated page outside the Hub. The current entries include • 3F materials like the European Green Festival Roadmap, a report on each of the annual GO Group workshops and YES Group seminars, and all three European Festival Reports • best-practice examples of festivals with great projects in environmental sustainability 36

• best-practice examples of festivals with great projects in social innovation • individual posts for every resource mentioned in the 3F Diversity & Inclusion Toolset • multiple publications like guides and roadmaps on areas in which festivals have a high ecological impact, for example materials & waste, food & drink, water, energy, travel & transport, and policy planning • multiple publications relating to event safety and security topics like crowd management • multiple publications on social sustainability issues like mental health in the live music industry Besides, the Hub also holds the YOUROPE Standard Terms, a public legal document that live events can use to determine contractual obligations with artist agencies.

Over time, the Hub has grown its own hierarchical taxonomy (sorted alphabetically) that enables users to filter out exactly what they are looking for.

Campaigns

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3F Campaigns European music festivals have collaborated on four impactful campaigns during 3F, addressing youth empowerment, humanitarian aid, democratic engagement, and mental health.

These initiatives underscore the role of festivals as platforms for positive change and community building. #ImpossibleWithoutYouth (2022) – in celebration of the European Year of Youth (EYY), YOUROPE and the European Festivals Association (EFA) launched the #ImpossibleWithoutYouth campaign.

Recognizing the transformative role of young people in festivals, the initiative featured: • A European communication campaign.

• A onetime award category at the European Festival Awards.

• Contributions from over 70 festivals across 25 countries.

This effort culminated in a strong acknowledgment by the European Commission, marking the first collaboration between YOUROPE and EFA. It highlighted the energy and creativity young people bring to festivals, while advocating for their empowerment in cultural spaces. #FestivalsForUkraine (2023) – in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine, YOUROPE initiated

this awareness and fundraiser in collaboration with Music Saves Ukraine and the Kyiv Rehabilitation Institute. This humanitarian campaign provided essential medical equipment to aid civilians affected by the war. Through coordinated social media efforts and a GoFundMe campaign, the initiative successfully raised funds for a €5,500 machine to treat lymphedema and related conditions.

Music Saves UA, supported by European festivals since the war's onset, continues to deliver relief supplies, facilitate evacuations, and offer accommodation to displaced individuals. #FestivalsForUkraine demonstrated how the music community can rally for urgent causes while keeping affected individuals at the forefront of their efforts. #WeVoteForEurope (2024) – launched by YOUROPE to inspire festival-goers to vote in the 2024 European Parliament Elections, #WeVoteForEurope emphasized the importance of democratic participation in safeguarding the freedom that makes festivals possible. 120 festivals and organizations across 30 countries united to spread this message through videos, social media assets, and public outreach campaigns.

Built on the principles of YOUROPE’s TAKE A 38

STAND initiative, the campaign provided materials to festivals, ensuring a cohesive and impactful call to action. Participating festivals included iconic names such as Primavera Sound, Open’er, and Colours of Ostrava. By empowering attendees, #WeVoteForEurope highlighted the cultural sector’s role in strengthening democratic values.

LIFE IS LIVE (2024) – YOUROPE member EXIT Festival, in partnership with UNICEF, spearheaded this campaign during the European Mental Health Week. It focused on combatting digital addiction and promoting in-person connections as vital for mental health. The campaign emphasized the unique ability of festivals to provide transformative, authentic experiences that nurture human well-being. The campaign unfolded in two phases: • “A True Story Lasts a Lifetime” celebrating irreplaceable live moments with loved ones.

• “Last Seen” inviting young people to cherish and share their real-life festival experiences.

With these important topics YOUROPE and the participating organisations reached more than 10.7 million people (technically) with a projected number of views of 1.8 million.

View communication campaigns:

Outlook – 3F 2.0 So, now you could probably ask: are European festivals fit for the future after three years of intensive work?

Well, let’s put it this way: even though the work in the 3F project was successful and the tools developed significantly exceed our expectations, we are only able to cover parts of a festival production with it. And to be honest: that should be enough for us at this point.

Will we ever reach our goal?

Why is that? On the one hand, because festivals are incredibly complex structures, with thousands of people working on them and many more attending. We are talking about temporarily-built small towns that also bring with them all the challenges that a small town has to offer. The restrictions that come with a project limited in time do not allow for a truly holistic operation. And we have not yet talked about the fact that festivals are characterized by their individuality. That is exactly what makes them so attractive and that is exactly what means that you cannot force them into a

template.

But as mentioned at the beginning of this report, we can help to ensure that the individual path can be followed more safely and confidently. Ideally together.

Future simply never ends And then there is the time component. Goals that lie in the future today will be achieved on a day that we then call "today". There will be a new future with new challenges, new circumstances and new goals at all times.

This means that the process towards future fitness for our festivals will never end. At first, that sounds frightening and like Sisyphus' fate. But it also means that we never stop getting better, developing innovations and letting ourselves be inspired by great people. Maybe we can even inspire them in turn.

With this in mind, we did the only sensible thing for us: submit a follow-up application for EU funding that enables us to keep adding new things to what we have already achieved. The funding will help to further strengthen and support our teams, artists

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and visitors – and thus to further improve our festivals and the whole sector, making it more resilient, responsible and relevant.

We have some more 3F for you

We are pleased that 3F 2.0 begins on the day after 3F ends. On January 1, 2025, we will begin planning and implementing more events, training, tools and campaigns. We are expanding our list of key questions to include the following: How do we make our festivals resistant to threats and attacks on their foundation & values?

Because one thing has become clear in recent years: The world is turning faster than we expected at the start of the first 3F project and we have to face up to that. We cannot allow the magic we are creating to be threatened.

Let's try to shape the future for the better.

Our festivals, culture and creativity can do that. And YOUROPE will help you to ensure that this never-ending process succeeds – as weird as it may sound.

About YOUROPE

About KME

Since 1998, YOUROPE – The European Festival Association has evolved into the most important association for popular music festivals in Europe. As of December 2024, YOUROPE counts 134 festivals and associated organisations from 30 European countries among its members.

The overall aim of the association is to strengthen and improve the European festival scene as a whole, and promoting arts and music while connecting different cultures.

The KME Karlsruhe Marketing and Event GmbH is responsible for city and location marketing in and for Karlsruhe. The primary task of this municipal company is the planning, preparation, execution, and further development of cultural, sports, entertainment, and other events that align with the city’s strategic direction and are in its interest.

In its working groups YOUROPE focuses on different topics at the heart of festivals: sustainability, climate action and environmental protection in the GO Group (Green Operations Europe) and security and crowded spaces management in the YOUROPE Event Safety (YES) Group.

Further, YOUROPE hosts the biannual European Festival Conference (EFC) and organizes the annual European Festival Awards (EFAs).

The YOUROPE network is the one that fills the 3F project with life, expertise and creativity and also develops the tools and publications.

Such events include South Germany’s largest open-air music festival DAS FEST, the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Light Festival Karlsruhe, the globally renowned light and media art event at Karlsruhe Palace, the INIT INDOOR MEETING KARLSRUHE - an international athletics event in Germany as well as the Stadtwerke Karlsruhe WINTERZEIT, featuring South Germany’s most beautiful open-air ice-skating rink.

KME is responsible for the management and administration of the 3F project as well as the coordination with the European Commission and European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). karlsruhe-event.de

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Photo: We Love Green by Maxime Chermat

Project Summary 2022 - 2024

www.yourope.org

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