We are EFA
The European Festivals Association is a ‘We-Story’, a large community of arts festivals and those who engage with them. EFA brings people and organisations together - to exchange, create, and act - whether sparked by a project, a context, or a pressing societal issue.
100 festivals, 30 cities & regions, endless connections
Members are at the core: both beneficiaries and initiators of formats designed to support them, their festival colleagues, and the sector at large. This symbiotic relationship underscores how festivals bring energy and creativity to the network, shaping its very essence, while EFA, in turn, enhances and amplifies their impact.
Under continual construction
Founded in 1952, in the aftermath of the Second World War, EFA aligned with the mission to rebuild Europe and the world through the arts. Seventy years later, in 2022, EFA launched the 70-Years-On Agenda and Conversations guided by a Thinking Group. These initiatives reflect the current "state of festivals" across Europe, identifying key shifts and highlighting areas for reflection and action.
What we do
EFA takes on the mandate to act in the interest of the entire festival landscape across Europe and be a relevant player for the arts, artists, and audiences through concrete initiatives. These initiatives are often entry points to the Alliance - whether manifested through membership, affiliations, or other collective workflows.
The driving force behind EFA’s thinking has always been the call for diversity, inclusivity, awareness of privilege, innovation and creating maximum impact from the grassroots level. EFA aims to develop and improve awareness, foster responsibility and strengthen the critical capacity of festivals and festival cities and regions to take an active role in the sector, positively contributing to society and the planet. Explore some of the topics we have been focusing on:
Spotlight on festivals
FestivalFinder.eu is an online search tool for audiences worldwide to discover all arts festivals, from music to theatre, streets arts to dance, literature, etc. in 45 countries across Europe. Sign up your festival for free and reach thousands of audience members interested in finding out more about Europe’s festival life.
Helping festivals grow
The Festival Academy offers various training formats on festival management to young, dynamic and passionate festival makers worldwide. The community counts today more than 1000 Alumni in more than 80 countries. You can find the calls for training opportunities on their website.
A platform for Emerging Artists
The European Festivals Fund for Emerging Artists (EFFEA) offers festivals a platform to collaborate across borders by taking emerging artists under their wings to develop their careers on an international level. Apply via the annual calls for residencies on the EFFEA website.
Festivals Cities and Regions at work
29 festival cities and regions exchange on local practices and policies related to festivals with colleagues from all over Europe
Meet us
Agency
The European Festivals Alliance Agency introduces you to a pool of experts and thought leaders within the European Festivals Association network. The aim is to share the extensive knowledge and expertise of professionals ready to offer guidance and insights tailored to the needs of your event or organisation. The Agency supports the internationalisation of local festival boards and provides valuable capacity-building opportunities.
History: The Festival Network since 1952
The European Festivals Association was founded in Geneva in 1952 upon the joint initiative of the eminent conductor Igor Markewitch and the great philosopher Denis de Rougemont, with 15 festivals making up the core. The founders were deeply engaged in the quality and the social responsibility of festivals.
Funders and partners
EFA has different funders and partners that support the work we do.
Join us!
Are you running a music, dance, theatre, circus, film, literature or multidisciplinary arts festival? Do you operate internationally and want to be part of a bigger festival community? Then EFA is the right network for your festival! EFA welcomes festivals of all sizes, from near and far, across all artistic disciplines to join the works.