Patronage at the heart of the collective and solidarity project

Supported by the non-profit association Music territory, the Eurockéennes festival belfort was born under the impetus of the Departmental Council and, since 1992, has associated the regional economic fabric, affirming its associative values under the banner «Eurocks Solidaires»: citizenship, accessibility, environment and prevention.

A club of local and committed patrons 

Since 2003, when the Aillagon Law was promulgated, the network has been structured. Today, nearly 150 companies are gathered in a club of patrons, which contributes more than 20% to the budget of the festival. Strong ties have been forged with major patrons: Crédit Agricole, Optymo, Mercedes… but also with smaller local businesses, which contribute to make their territory live by making a donation, even a few thousand euros.

Frédéric Adam

Head of the Partnership Division

“The Aillagon law gave the Territoire de Musiques association the opportunity to structure and boost a Patrons Club around artistic and solidarity projects of the Eurockéennes de Belfort. Today, more than 140 member companies of the Patrons' Club contribute to the festival’s reputation thanks to their loyal support."

 

A controlled ecological footprint

Located on the Malsaucy peninsula, a protected natural site, the Eurockéennes Festival was quickly committed to encouraging sustainable mobility, reducing plastic use and energy consumption, and promoting waste management.

These principles have found concrete applications, starting in the negotiations with the partners: when Vittel was excluded from the festival for lack of offering an alternative to plastic water bottles (the festival has since installed water fountains with Contigo), Coca-Cola followed the festival’s approach by offering aluminium cans). From 100,000 plastic bottles distributed and sold in 2015, the festival reduced its consumption to 62,000 bottles in 2018 and 15,662 bottles in 2019.

In terms of CO2 emissions (more than three-quarters of a festival’s greenhouse gas emissions are related to transport), Eurockéennes raise festival-goers' awareness of soft mobility thanks to a partnership with the SNCF and the association «Uni Vers Selle», which provides free and secure bicycle parking.

As for the reduction and recovery of waste (about 160 tons of waste produced during the last edition, 9% less than the year before), 120 people work in rotation in two recycling stations, operating 12 hours a day. Since 2012, in partnership with the Departmental House of the Environment, bio-waste is methanized in bio gas, allowing the creation of electricity.

A precursor festival for the accessibility of people with disabilities

First festival to have signed the Accessibility Charter in 2013 with Marie-Arlette Carlotti, then Minister for Persons with Disabilities, the Eurockéennes continuously develop the devices to facilitate the reception of disabled people (rest areas, charging stations, adapted treatments, magnetic loops, adapted signage, Braille programmes, etc.)

A campaign of crowdfunding has also allowed the purchase of 2 joëlettes (single-wheel off-road chair), allowing outings on the festival site with the help of accompanists from the SINAPS association. In 2016, a further step was taken with the creation of the ALL ACCESS spaces – supported by the Delfingen Foundation and EDF – abolishing the boundaries between disabled and able-bodied people on the festival. Other philanthropic initiatives: General Electric volunteers accompany people with disabilities during concerts.