Who can organise events as part of the Festival?
Anyone, provided they accept the principles of the Festisol Charter, and in particular the fact that the primary aim of their activities must not be to raise money or collect goods.
What sort of events can be organised?
Anyone, provided they accept the principles of the Festisol Charter, and in particular the fact that their activities must not be primarily aimed at raising money or collecting goods.
What topics might be covered during the Festival?
The environment, migration, finance, trade, food, health, education, community life, culture… All these topics can be explored through the lens of solidarity, from the local to the international level; every theme therefore has its place at the Festival of Solidarity. Indeed, it is through the exchange of different perspectives that we can understand the world and become aware of the ways in which we can take action!
How can I find other organisations to help organise my event?
If there is a Festisol group near you, the first thing you should do is get in touch with them. If there isn’t one, we invite you to contact a regional co-ordinating body, which will advise you on how to set up a group with other stakeholders in your area.
Can I volunteer at the Festival?
Of course! To do this, go to the ‘I want to help!’ section.
What are the festival’s objectives?
We have five main objectives:
- To provide information on the challenges of solidarity and cooperation, from the local to the international level.
- To raise the profile of international solidarity everywhere and amongst everyone.
- To encourage citizens to become more active and to show their solidarity, by suggesting practical ways in which they can take action.
- To highlight the diversity of the participants involved, the themes addressed, the forms of expression and the activities.
- To encourage partnership and collective engagement amongst all stakeholders in society.
Can the Festival be held outside France?
Absolutely. If you’d like to organise public awareness-raising activities in your country as part of the Festival of Solidarity, you can set up an organiser’s page on our website, list your activities, and use the visuals and educational resources available on our website.
We are very keen to find out how you organise yourselves with your local partners, and how you adapt the tools provided. Please do keep us informed of the progress of your initiatives.
However, we are currently unable to offer you free delivery of promotional materials or financial support. Nor can we cover the cost of travel for your participation in events such as our national conference.
Should my event be called the Festival of Solidarity?
A minimum level of consistency in our communications is essential to enable the public to recognise the national scope of the event. If you really cannot call your event the Festival of Solidarity, you must at least state that it forms part of the Festival, and include the Festival of Solidarity logo on your communication materials.
Can I organise a collection during a Festival of Solidarity event?
According to the Festisol Charter, which all participants are required to adhere to, it is stated that raising money or collecting goods cannot be the main objective of your events. Raising awareness of solidarity means adopting an attitude of mutual exchange rather than a commercial approach! However, contributions towards the costs of organising events are permitted, and of course financial support can be one of the forms of civic engagement encouraged by your events.
Can I get financial support for my event?
Many local authorities offer funding schemes for citizenship education initiatives. Please contact your regional co-ordinators for further information.
In addition, all Festisol collectives in France can apply for financial support to organise their events as part of the Festival, or for training courses throughout the year. To find out more, please visit your participant portal.