IMAGINING THE

FESTIVALS

OF TOMORROW!

FESTIVALS WITHOUT WASTE, WHERE ATTENDEES TRAVEL WITHOUT CARS, CONSUME LOCAL AND ORGANIC PRODUCTS IN REUSABLE DISHWARE AND ARE INFORMED ABOUT THE EVENT’S “GREEN” ACTIONS. LED BULBS ILLUMINATE THE SITE, WHICH RUNS ON ELECTRICITY FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES.

LES FRANCOFOLIES ESCH/ALZETTE, A GREEN EVENTS FESTIVAL

A Green Event is an event that seeks to reduce its negative impacts on the environment and residents. It is the result of a long process of awareness-raising and communication with the many actors involved in the event.

“Green Events” aims to reduce the ecological footprint of events organized in Luxembourg and thus to promote eco-responsible events by informing, raising awareness and supporting organizers wishing to embark on the organization of eco-responsible events.

AGENDA 21 FOR CULTURE: PILOT PROJECT

Since 2017, the City of Esch-sur-Alzette has been a Pilot City of Agenda 21 for Culture and the Les Francofolies Esch/Alzette festival fully wishes to be part of this approach supported by the city.

Approved on May 8, 2004 by cities and local governments around the world committed to the areas of human rights, cultural diversity, sustainable development, participatory democracy and the creation of conditions for peace. Agenda 21 and Culture is a document that takes the gamble of establishing the bases for a commitment of cities and local governments in favor of cultural development.

The Francofolies Esch/Alzette non-profit association is therefore involved in the various working groups initiated and is based on the objectives set by the work program and the “Connections” strategy.

OUR ENVIRONMENTAL CHARTER

This environmental charter outlines the eco-responsible commitments made in collaboration with volunteers, artists, and partners, aimed at raising public awareness and anchoring environmental responsibility into everyone’s practices.

SOFT MOBILITY

As the festival is located in the center of Esch-sur-Alzette, we encourage soft mobility to get to us. We are doing our utmost to encourage our audiences to prioritize environmentally friendly modes of transport:

  • Implementation of shuttle buses from major surrounding cities: Arlon, Metz, Nancy, Thionville
  • Extended Luxembourg train schedule
  • Communication on carpooling
  • Bike parking, Vélo’k terminals, group bike departures from surrounding cities in collaboration with the Vélorution
  • Participation of the internal team in a Mobility Fresco

SUSTAINABLE CATERING

The selection of caterers is made through a call for applications based on a rigorously defined charter:

  • Use of seasonal products;
  • Cooking with organic and local products (Luxembourg products or within 150km of Esch-Sur-Alzette) at least 50%;
  • Use of fair trade products;
  • If meat is offered, local, organic or labeled products are preferred;
  • If fish is offered, those from the region, from organic aquaculture or with the sustainable fishing label are preferred;
  • Vegetarian/vegan dishes or at least one vegetarian/vegan option in each menu;
  • The team catering is vegetarian/vegan 1 day out of 2;
  • The caterers collaborate with the Food Sharing association to redistribute unsold food.

The festival operates without disposable containers, including for food, which are replaced by reusable tableware.

  • Use of compostable paper napkins only;
  • Renunciation of sauce, sugar, milk sachets and individual straws;
  • Consigned bottles for sodas and juices served at the bar.
  • Local drinks: …
  • Use of water bottles for the teams, including artistic ones.

WASTE REDUCTION AND RECOVERY

All parties involved in the project are asked to pay real attention to waste sorting, and we are also working on waste recovery:

  • Sorting bins are placed throughout the festival site and backstage, with clear signage above each bin;
  • Collected waste is disposed of in accordance with Luxembourg’s waste management principles;
  • Toilet paper is eco-labeled, recycled and biodegradable;
  • Pocket ashtrays are distributed to festival-goers, and cigarette butts are collected by the Shime association to depollute them.
  • A “green brigade” is present throughout the festival for the following missions:
  • Mediation at dry toilets: handing out a cup of sawdust so that the public uses them correctly;
  • Collection and encouragement of waste sorting (re-sorting if necessary);
  • Site cleaning;
  • Animation of an awareness-raising stand on waste reduction in the associative village

ECO-RESPONSIBLE SCENOGRAPHY AND COMMUNICATION

COMMUNICATION AND SIGNAGE:

  • The website is designed in “low-tech” and digital communication is generally preferred to reduce paper use;
  • For paper prints, quantities are calculated as accurately as possible and any surplus is distributed to local businesses;
  • The paper used is labeled “My Climate FSC – Recycled”;
  • Signage is mainly designed without PVC;
  • Signage that cannot be reused is entrusted to MESA for upcycling;
  • We ask all our collaborators in the associative village to create their stand with reusable signage;
  • In addition, single-use gadgets and promotional items are prohibited at the event;
  • The items sold during the festival are designed in an eco-responsible way
  • The textiles of the teams and merchandising are made of recycled/organic cotton and Polyester RPET;

SCENOGRAPHY AND EQUIPMENT

  • The festival’s scenography is mainly made up of recycled materials, and is built either with CIGL, or during workshops with Facilitec with volunteers, or by the internal team; The event’s furniture is mainly second-hand, supplemented by rental equipment; The decoration is composed of natural elements such as bamboo or recycled wood…;

CONTROLLED CONSUMPTION

  • The stages are equipped with LED lighting, as well as all the lighting on the site;
  • Caterers are asked not to use gas stoves;
  • Cooking oils are collected for recovery;
  • Wastewater is emptied by a professional company;
  • Dry toilets are distributed on the site and backstage;
  • Hand soap and cleaning products used are eco-labeled;
  • Fireworks are banned;
  • Free drinking water is available to the public and backstage via a connection to the City’s network.

ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE EVENT

In collaboration with the EME Foundation, we are thinking about the reception and festival experience for all audiences. Thus, this year, we have implemented:

  • A specific entrance with a lift to access the park;
  • A drop-off point right in front of the entrance and a P+R parking lot with reserved spaces 5 minutes away by train;
  • Platforms reserved for each stage;
  • Specific information sent upstream of the event to registered people;
  • “Practical Information” page in FALC on the website;
  • Tickets at the Kultur Pass rate;
  • Specific online and on-site map;
  • Booking of vibrating vests
  • Magnetic loops
  • Awareness-raising for all teams on welcoming audiences with specific needs;
  • Adapto taxi information on the website;
  • All bars with lowered counters;
  • A priority bar in a quiet place with a large-print menu, staff who can communicate in sign language;
  • Priority access to food trucks;

PREVENTION AND RISK REDUCTION

Fight against sexist and sexual violence and harassment (VHSS):

  • Team of trained volunteers patrolling the site;
  • Signage dedicated to the fight against VHSS and discrimination displayed in strategic locations throughout the festival;
  • Protocol for reporting and taking care of victims and aggressors communicated to staff and teams in contact with the public
  • Presence of Pipapo in the Village
  • Hearing risk prevention and reduction

Free distribution of disposable earplugs (at the Info/Prevention Point, at the bars), loan of children’s helmets at the Info Point.

RAISING AWARENESS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ISSUES

The Village is a place for exchange and resources around several sustainable development themes. Thus, we invite these associations to animate the Village:

  • SARABADIA MAKEUP: Stand of biodegradable glitter Sisi La Paillette
  • GRANDS REVEURS: The ambassadors of Esch life and cultural life in general
  • PIPAPO and SAFER: Prevention of risks related to drugs, sexuality and violence in festive settings
  • ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION: Understanding to act: giving keys to understanding our environment in a fun and scientific way within a committed community
  • PICK IT UP x Clean Something For Nothing x Shime: Organizers of educational collective waste collection actions
  • APGS (Association de Prévention et de Gestion du Stress): Help with everyday and work stress management
  • FOODSHEARING: Raising awareness about food waste
  • PADEM: Fight against racial discrimination
  • PASSERELL x RYSE ASBL: Raising awareness about inclusiveness and socio-professional integration