Resilience by Design: Unveiling Fluctuations’ insights from Festival Sustainability Lab
In an era where festivals transcend mere celebration, One Resilient Earth’s “Deep-Dive into Climate Resilience” offered transformative coaching to cultivate climate-resilient approaches to two select organisations: Fluctuations and Shambala Festival. Both projects wield the potential to influence Europe’s creative and cultural sectors and extend their impact beyond. While Fluctuations aims to navigate European cities with its festi-boat, influencing thousands of young minds, the avant-garde Shambala Festival, drawing over 15,000 participants yearly, already leads the way in sustainability practices, likely to set a precedent for other European festivals.
This article highlights one of the winners of the coaching trajectory: Fluctuations. Get ready to meet the entrepreneurs behind this organisation – and stay tuned to read more about Shambala’s endeavors.
About Fluctuations
Fluctuations, helmed by Nicolas Dhers, Charline Albericci, and Vince Fueg, embodies a revolutionary concept—a floating transnational festival traversing European rivers, engaging communities on social, environmental, and citizenship matters. Anchored at various stops, the eco-designed riverboat, known as the festiboat, transforms cities into vibrant, temporary festivals. It’s a convergence of joy, music, art, and a hub of solutions, embracing inclusivity through diverse workshops and talks.
After securing a successful Creative Europe grant with VibeLab and partnering organizations, Fluctuations plans five prototype events in 2024 across Berlin, Hungary, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. These events serve as precursors to a full-scale launch in 2025, introducing their own eco-conscious boat.
Designing Stories, Navigating Waters: Fluctuations’ Coaching Trajectory
What was the focus of the coaching trajectory for you?
“The focus of our coaching trajectory was on Design & Storytelling. Two unique aspects of Fluctuations are its itinerant festiboat navigating rivers and Flutopia, a positive narrative envisioning a utopian society. One Resilient Earth assisted us in addressing sustainability challenges like floods, droughts, heavy rains, and heatwaves in the boat’s design. Additionally, they helped craft the project’s vision and narrative.”
Could you highlight the insights and/or outcomes gained from the coaching trajectory?
“One Resilient Earth provided invaluable tools like Miro, offering clarity on Fluctuations’ expected outcomes and messaging. We developed a Manifesto, Values & Commitments document, and a Glossary, shaping the project’s narrative and direction. With their support, our team successfully pitched Fluctuations at Amsterdam Dance Event’s VibeLab event.”
Considering the coaching trajectory, are there any other specific strategies or ideas you hope to implement within Fluctuations?
“The coaching reminded us of the necessity for co-creation and collaboration. Each Fluctuations event will be locally co-produced, engaging local event organizers, NGOs, and impact startups. We also aim to introduce low-tech boat/architecture projects to Besign Sustainable Design School students, aligning with our eco-design objectives.”
In the context of climate resilience, how do you envision collaboration between different festivals or creative entities playing a role in collectively addressing climate challenges?
“Collaboration is crucial in creative industries and combating climate change. Fluctuations’ model involves horizontally co-producing each event and seeking European Festivals Association membership to foster connections. We’re aligned with initiatives like Green Deals Circular Festivals, learning from committed festivals and organizations like the Festival Sustainability Lab.”
If you were to dream ahead into the future, what kind of impact will you have had on Europe’s creative industries in 5-10 years time?
“From 6000 to 600,000 festival-goers by 2027! We aspire to become the most impactful festival within five years, with Fluctuations’ electric festiboat drastically reducing its carbon footprint while significantly enhancing its positive impact on attendees. Our aim is to inspire hope, connection, and activism, positioning Fluctuations as a model for circular festivals and inspiring a fleet of sustainable events across Europe.”
Pioneering Tomorrow: Envisioning Future Influence
One Resilient Earth’s coaching sessions served as a crucial learning partner for both the Fluctuations and the Shambala teams, igniting transformative and regenerative resilience in their strategies. As these projects evolve, they stand as pioneers in reshaping Europe’s creative and cultural landscape. Fluctuations, embarking on a journey through European cities, holds the power to impact young minds on a grand scale, while the Shambala Festival sets an avant-garde example in sustainability for festivals across Europe. Together, these initiatives herald a new era, where collaborative efforts and sustainable practices shape the narrative of festivals, leaving an indelible mark on societal engagement and environmental stewardship.
Fluctuations stands as a beacon of hope in the evolving landscape of festivals, steering the course towards sustainability and societal engagement. Their journey reflects the transformative power of collaborative efforts, propelling Europe towards a future where festivals embrace eco-responsibility and meaningful narratives. As Fluctuations navigates rivers, it paves the way for a collective, impactful celebration of resilience and progress in a changing world.
