D&I and Accessibility - Social Futureproof

After ESNS22, an internal working group was set up, with a delegate from each department. This working group meets once every three weeks and then discusses the state of affairs within each department and makes plans to safeguard diversity and inclusivity within the organisation.

To realise our ambitions, ESNS has created an advisory board. This advisory board consists of a group of (young) professionals who use their expertise, experience and network to make ESNS more inclusive. Within ESNS they contribute new perspectives and give solicited and unsolicited advice.

The advisory board enriches ESNS with new knowledge by being critical and making new connections to make impact on the organisation, and its structure. The advisory board reflects on how the music industry operates and shares this within the broad network in the sector. Thanks to the exchange of knowledge and experience, ESNS can continue to develop into an organisation that is accessible to everyone.

Looking at the impact the advisory board has on our organisation, we think this could benefit other organisations as well. We share our process and best practices to support others in these ambitions.

The advisory board visits our organisation and makes a report for the organisation with their findings and suggestions for next edition.

We are advised several times a year in the field of inclusivity, diversity and accessibility. Prior to ESNS23, we sought advice from Revelland about creative accessibility. From which, amongst other things, the pointing stickers at the Eurosonic Air bar were added and plans were made how we can make Eurosonic's locations more accessible.

In addition, we have repeatedly sought advice from the Accessible Groningen Working Group (Werkgroep Toegankelijk Groningen) in the field of accessibility in the city. The working group also visits us on the eve of Eurosonic and advises us on the spot, so that we can make last minute adjustments.

There is an external confidential advisor present for employees and crew of ESNS. They can contact the confidential advisor without the intervention of the management team or other colleagues.

We collaborate with Quiet Groningen, to make our event accessible to visitors with financial constraints. All visitors can contribute with our donation programme.

We provide music interpreters for specific shows at ESNS

We provide write interpreters during our conference at ESNS

We created quiet rooms at our conference and festival

We created a safe(r) space at our event for visitors

We place wheelchair signs to actively claim positions for people in wheelchairs at our conference and several venues.

We placed bar-signs, so people can order drinks with hand signs only.

We creating an induction loop for the hearing impaired, to log their hearing device to the audio system for quality music.

We constructed a campaign to communicate about unwanted experiences at our locations.

We included pronouns in our application and visitors badges

We have an alcohol-free drink at the event.

We provide information on the accessibility of our venues.

We actively support our partners to ask female employees to work at our event in male-dominated professions.

We train our location managers with an active bystander training program to know how to handle and respond to unwanted experiences at our locations.

Improve the visibility of our crew on locations to support help

We work together with the expertice of Accessibility Groningen and Handicap NL to help us check our venues and location for accessibility

We incorporated the theme of D&I in our code of conduct with our partners.

We are part of the Onbeperkt Feest project in the Netherlands, for frontrunners on this topic.

We worked together with our security company to address systemic racism at our event.

In light of the Keychange initiative to score our line up in gender equality for the artist and speakers at our event.

We collaborate with Pride Groningen to give them a stage at our event.

We update and improve our communication about our facilities to well inform about accessibility.

We incorporated the theme of D&I in our code of conduct for our programme and panels.

To help us set up our programme we have appointed Questermasters to help us kickstart our projects. After their initiating efforts, they have handed over the projects and information to the Working Group for continuing and further development of the programmes.

Martin van Engel joined ESNS as quartermaster Diversity & Inclusivity. As a D&I advisor to (non-)profit organisations, he set up impact research and inclusion programs, and he also initiated projects himself. Martin will develop an action plan on all four P's (Program, Public, Partners and Personnel) together with the organisation and experts and guide the advisory board.

In collaboration with Hooman Nassimi of New Faces, ESNS will work with newcomers for the upcoming edition. Hooman will support ESNS to create an inclusive organisational culture, by providing knowledge and practical cooperation to give newcomers a structural place within the organisation.

In addition, HR consultancy VIE People has been hired to advise on the more inclusive recruitment of people, the sustainable construction and retention of a more diverse workforce and the strengthening of inclusive employment. Irma Meijer and Susan Aukema advise ESNS on this. Roy de Brabander has also been coaching the management team for inclusive leadership for a year now.

Rules of conduct have been drawn up for ESNS' own organisation, crew, speakers and partners. The organisation shares this annually and actively. Read the rules of conduct here.

How can 21st century festivals become a safe environment for groups that are historically excluded? That is what the students of the University of Groningen will investigate in a large study into diversity and inclusion in the European live music industry.

This research was set up by Lisa Schoemaker (ESNS conference) and Julia Gudzent (Guds Agency) with the ultimate goal of making festivals and concerts a safe place for everyone, both in front of and behind the scenes. The research is in collaboration with the Science Shop of the University of Groningen. They connect issues of organisations with students and education.

The students start with the research at ESNS, in order to understand the actions that are already being carried out on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility and to contribute to these actions. The students each have their own area to focus on.

In 2023 we initiated a research project in collaboration with BlicVR. Together with Forum Groningen and SPOT, we invited low-literate visitors to visit the events at our locations and ask us how we can improve their visitor experience. This has been guided by professionals from Blic VR and the results have been published in Dutch.

https://issuu.com/peterdoorn7413/docs/onderzoek_blic_vr_-_jan_2023

Possibilize connects, thinks and acts in possibilities and is inspired by limitations. This creates sensory-stimulating festivals, immersive live performances and multidisciplinary theater performances that inspire others.

https://www.possibilize.today/

HandicapNL works toward one world in which we work, live and enjoy together. HandicapNL is committed to everyone with a disability, for example people with physical, mental or multiple disabilities. Everyone deserves to live in a nice place, to have suitable work and to do fun activities.

https://handicap.nl/

By raising awareness and removing prejudices about people with disabilities, we counter exclusion and promote inclusiveness. There is no single solution for all people with disabilities. Therefore, support, cooperation and knowledge sharing is needed. Together with music festival organizers we form the leading group in the field of accessibility in the Netherlands.

ESNS is part of the Onbeperkt Feest (Unlimited Party) programme, initiated bij HandicapNL and Green Events.

https://www.greenevents.nl/leiderschap/onbeperkt-feest-koplopers-supporters/

We are supported by the VSB fund to initiate actions and do research on diversifying our events, making it more inclusive and accessible.

https://www.vsbfonds.nl/