Implementation of a community development strategy, in order to improve and empower the identity of the festival.
2. Training
Training of the personnel, specially of the coordinators, the people who work actively in the festival coordination, but often volunteering and without proper professional training.
3. Mobility
Mobility and circulation of organisers and sub-coordinators in order to learn how other festivals face common problems.
4. sustainability
Improve the economical sustainability of the events, by distributing the activities throughout the year and diversifying the incomes.
5. environment
Improve the ecological sustainability of the events, by reducing their impact on the local environment, minimise the use of resources and production of waste and by strengthening the local audience presence.
6. accessibility
Improve the accessibility to the festivals, by establishing the local and international networks in order to develop the necessary infrastructure.
7. transnationalism
Improve the transnational cooperation, establishing connections with other festivals out of the local borders and promoting the business model.
Selected Business Model Practices
of Small European Festivals in Peripheral Areas
Learn through the stories of festival leaders how some amazing small European festivals, handpicked by the SMA! Project partners, are thriving and navigating challenges related to accessibility, demographic shifts, and resource constraints.
01. Executive Summary
The Executive Summary provides an overview, highlighting the key findings on how the festivals employ strategies to survive and thrive, highlighting their commitment to sustainability, community, artistic integrity, and diversity—elements vital in cultivating sustainable cultural landmarks.
The Full Report offers an in-depth perspective and extensive narratives from festival leaders, exploring the nuanced approaches they take to navigate geographical and cultural challenges. The report highlights the commitment of the festivals towards sustainability, community engagement, artistic values and diversity, which enhance experiences and contribute to building long-lasting cultural hubs.
The “PROFILE OF THE FESTIVALS SHOWCASED IN THE RESEARCH: THEIR UNIQUE VALUE PROPOSITION” offers an in-depth look at each festival featured in the SMA! research, spotlighting their distinctive value propositions.
Ypsigrock Festival, the SMA! Project leader, Haldern Pop, and D Festival served as starting points for choosing other festivals to benchmark characteristics concerning size, location, cultural approach or proposition for this report. These festivals do not constitute a formal network or alliance. Instead, they were selected independently for research purposes, serving as representative examples to explore the unique challenges and opportunities within the small and peripheral European music festival sector.
Ypsigrock Festival, the SMA! Project leader, Haldern Pop, and D Festival served as starting points for choosing other festivals to benchmark characteristics concerning size, location, cultural approach or proposition for this report. These festivals do not constitute a formal network or alliance. Instead, they were selected independently for research purposes, serving as representative examples to explore the unique challenges and opportunities within the small and peripheral European music festival sector.