EFA is a network of festivals putting the arts and diversity at the core of its mission. Since its inception in 1952, the European Festivals Association (EFA) has valued the celebration and development of arts and arts festivals as one of its highest aims. EFA was born out of the wounds of the Second World War as a project that brings arts and festival makers together to promote solidarity and peace. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging are part of EFA’s DNA. Its membership and range of activities are a reflection of EFA’s growing diversity and inclusivity in terms of discipline, geography, size, and gender. Diversity is reflected in the membership, in EFA’s activities, in places where actions take place, in jury composition, speakers and much more.

Since its move to Belgium in 2004, EFA started actions and activities inviting the broader festival community into its work. The Ateliers for Young Festival Managers, the European Festivals Fund for Emerging Artists (EFFEA), the EFFE Seal for Festival Cities and Regions, and Perform Europe are just a few paths that reflect the efforts to include more festivals and festival makers in a collective conversation. Since 2020 and the launch of the ‘Team Up Campaign’, current members have been invited to co-opt festival colleagues to join the EFA family for half of the normal fee while keeping the commitment to quality and diversity in EFA’s membership that remains at the core of EFA’s mission. This campaign has achieved a remarkable increase in EFA’s membership and its diversity in terms of countries, artistic disciplines and size of festivals. This aspiration of inclusion and diversity also remains a guiding principle for the future development of the Association’s membership. 

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIAB) is a journey that reflects EFA’s commitment to inviting festivals to learn about and exchange around these important concepts. EFA is accompanied in this process by Ceyda Berk-Söderblom – arts manager, curator, and festival programmer specializing in social inclusion, diversity, and inclusion management – and will work with other experts while moving on.

EFA aims to address DEIAB by inviting festivals to think about their practices, collect and share knowledge on the topic and encourage festivals to take action through the “Count me in!” campaign. This campaign will support us in identifying festivals’ needs and see which activities are put in place to enhance DEIAB among the festival sector.

>>> Read more and be part of the campaign <<<

The following information sets the background of the campaign, EFA’s understanding of these notions, and the parameters to achieve.

1.Background

The campaign and strategy is inspired by the 15 points of the 70-Years-On Agenda and are shaped by extensive discussions and feedback from EFA Members. This ensures that EFA’s efforts are both inspired and tailored to the needs and perspectives of the festivals’ community.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIAB) have been constantly pointed out in the conclusions of each of the working groups of the Arts Festivals Summit 2024 (read the conclusions here).

2. Definitions: What does DEIAB mean to EFA? 

The following definitions elaborate on how EFA interprets the terms diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging, and explain why festivals should serve as pioneering agents in implementing these principles.

• Diversity: We acknowledge that people's visible and non-visible differences based on gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background, physical and cognitive disabilities, religion, education, socioeconomic status, age, language, physical appearance, etc., uniquely shape their identities, impacting societal roles and opportunities. Festivals working on diversity are open to having this diversity represented on all levels and put orchestrated efforts to dismantle barriers within the cultural sector.
  
  
• Equity: Equity is a process that recognises that privileges, advantages, obstacles, and barriers exist in every structure and system and acknowledges that not everyone starts from the same place due to existing privileges and barriers. Advancing equity means continuously working to address these imbalances. Unlike equality, which treats everyone the same, equity, which treats everyone fairly, focuses on providing the resources needed for everyone to flourish and succeed. Festivals committed to equity will work to enhance fairness in their practices, processes, and resource distribution.
  
  
• Inclusion: By embracing and valuing each person’s unique qualities, we harness the power of diversity. True inclusion means everyone feels respected, participates in decision-making, and can share their ideas. Inclusion promotes well-being within teams and fosters a sense of belonging for individuals. Festivals create inclusive spaces where people feel comfortable being themselves and engaging with others respectfully, even with differing views.
  
  
• Accessibility: Accessibility means creating an environment where everyone, including persons with disabilities, can participate fully. Accessibility covers a range of areas, including physical access, facilities, information, digital content, social inclusion, and financial support. In festivals, this can be achieved in various ways, such as creating conditions for inclusive participation, offering physical spaces, a digressive ticketing policy, designing accessible websites and documents, and using assistive technology.
  
  
• Belonging: Belonging is a feeling of being genuinely part of a group, team, community, or society where you are not just accepted but valued and included. In the workplace, it means feeling like a valued team member with a real sense of connection with colleagues. Belonging is often considered an antidote to loneliness and isolation. Festivals can offer a strong sense of community and belonging as they bring people together, encourage cultural exchange, and play a crucial role in nurturing creativity and self-expression.
  

3. EFA’s DEIAB Parameters

Considered DEIAB parameters are:
- ensuring that a wide representation of different backgrounds, cultures, identities, and perspectives are visible in festivals
- addressing imbalances and barriers that prevent fair treatment and equal opportunities in participating in culture
- creating spaces and experiences where everyone can fully participate, contribute and where differences are respected and embraced
- removing physical, sensory, financial and systemic barriers to participation
- cultivating a sense of community where individuals feel they truly belong and are integral to the festival experience

These parameters and others can serve as guidelines to analyse the evolution of the festivals sector and society in general.  

Following the survey and the lessons that can be taken out of it, EFA will take into account the need and requests of festivals to support festivals in integrating DEIAB besides their practices into their general work, starting within EFA itself.