CALL TO FESTIVALS FOR ACTIONS AND STORIES
AT THE OCCASION OF THE EUROPEAN YEAR OF YOUTH 2022

Join the IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT YOUTH campaign
From 12 August 2022 and ongoing until the end of the year

Festivals are unique platforms that are in touch with millions of young people every day. For young people, festivals are places for international encounters, for self-fulfillment and the development of their lifestyle and personality.

Festivals are often the first stages to launch the careers of emerging artists; audiences are often introduced to the arts through festivals, and the operators working in festivals such as contractual workers and volunteers are often young people.

In the past two years, young people have faced an incredibly difficult period. They have been cut off essential things such as meeting new people, sharing spaces and spending time with their friends. In 2022, festivals are one of the most important platforms for young people to connect, celebrate and share some good time together.

2022 is the European Year of Youth (EYY). In this context, festivals are recognised as essential partners. Today, the two festivals associations: the European Festivals Association and Yourope jointly invite festivals of all sizes and genres to join our campaign dedicated to festivals and their young artists, audiences and partners under the motto: IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT YOU(TH).

WE INVITE FOR THREE ACTIONS

1. Participate in our joint communication campaign IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT YOUTH kickstarting on International Youth Day this 12 August 2022. Together we will be highlighting the unique connection of festivals with Youth and shout out the importance of young people and the role of festivals in Europe to mark the occasion. Show how much youth is important in your context: use the hashtag #ImpossibleWithoutYou and #ImpossibleWithoutYouth and share your pictures related to young people. Check the toolbox of various media assets (main message text, campaign logo, visuals, video, hashtag) that you can easily use on your channels to show your connection with young people and join our shared message. The manual includes helpful explanation on how to use and personalise the campaign to your own events (with photos and logos).
Are you taking part in this action? Send us an email to info[@]efa-aef.eu and we will add the name of your festival on the Impossible Without Youth website.

2. Get recognised! Send us your stories on how your festival relates to young people. These stories can be dedicated to your audiences, emerging artists that you programme or operators with whom you are working. If you feel inspired, ask your young audiences and artists to dedicate a story to you and your festival. Your story will be published on FestivalFinder.eu and Yourope’s websites and also in the respective newsletters and social media. Find more info on FestivalFinder.eu and send your story now! 

3. Engage with your young people and invite them to make their voice heard by leaving a message on the Voice your vision platform of the European Year of Youth (EYY). You can also add your youth related activities to the EYY map of activities.

FESTIVALS ARE IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT YOU
FESTIVALS ARE IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT YOUTH