For four editions now, STROOM has been committed to organizing a sustainably responsible festival. In its sustainability mission, STROOM is guided by VOKA through the VOKA Charter for Sustainable Entrepreneurship. After the first year, we were awarded the Laureate certificate. This year, following the fourth edition of STROOM, we were recognized as an SDG Pioneer—a title granted to only 16 other organizations in East Flanders. This recognition is awarded by a jury after STROOM demonstrated that it meets several key criteria.

What does the SDG Pioneer certificate entail?

To obtain the SDG Pioneer certificate, STROOM had to structurally embed sustainability into its operations through overarching criteria and an annual action plan with achievable action points. These criteria, and, by extension, our main objectives, are based on the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations.

What are SDGs?

SDGs, or Sustainable Development Goals, are 17 international goals established by the United Nations in 2015 to create a more sustainable world by 2030. The goals address a wide range of global challenges, such as ending poverty and hunger, promoting health, education, and equality, tackling climate change, and encouraging sustainable production and consumption. They are universal and apply to all countries.

The SDGs are divided into five pillars: peace, people, prosperity, planet, and partnerships.

What sustainability criteria does STROOM apply?

STROOM’s sustainability approach is based on research, trial and error, and proven practices from other sustainable festivals (see Sustafest). After each edition, we conduct an in-depth evaluation through audience surveys and measurements to determine what to further develop and where to optimize.

The organization provides training and educational sessions on sustainability and the SDGs to increase knowledge among staff.

• Our sustainability manager ensures that all teams and employees are informed, actively involved, and contribute to the sustainable goals we aim to achieve with the festival.

The organization has an internal SDG working group or sustainability team that represents different departments within the organization.

• Under the leadership of the sustainability manager, this working group monitors and follows up on sustainability efforts across all teams.

The organization implements a knowledge management system in which sustainability is an integrated component.

• Internally, we can always rely on working documents that support us in making sustainable choices.

The organization embeds the SDGs at a strategic level by giving decision-makers an active role in the sustainability policy.

• The management team plays a driving role in STROOM’s sustainability mission.

STROOM develops a mission and vision that reflect its commitment to sustainable development and the SDGs.

• STROOM’s vision and mission communicate sustainability as part of our DNA and long-term future. Read more about our vision and mission here.

The organization defines ethical principles and values.

• Defining STROOM’s DNA is done collaboratively with the entire team during the sustainability day. This allows us to identify what matters most to STROOM and what we want to work toward as a team.

The organization identifies the SDGs that are most closely aligned with its core business and where it can have the greatest impact.

For STROOM, the most impactful SDGs are:

• Climate Action: In the artistic program, we reflect the importance of nature and aim to raise awareness of current climate challenges. In operations, we ensure responsible festival organization.
• Partnerships for the Goals: Partnerships within Festival STROOM are highly valuable. They allow us to look beyond our own strengths and reinforce each other, leading to innovative, connected, and long-term collaborations.
• Responsible Consumption: Thoughtful choices are made at every step of the festival organization, from sustainable procurement policies to supplier chain monitoring, waste reduction, and tracking.

STROOM sets long-term objectives for its priority SDGs and translates them into medium- and short-term goals.

• While we continuously work toward the next edition, we also build a strong foundation through long-term objectives.

STROOM conducts a stakeholder analysis.

• Festival STROOM has an extensive network of partners. Some have been involved since the first edition, while others participate for a single edition. We carefully select partners based on shared values and principles to achieve the most sustainable festival organization.
• The audience is also a key stakeholder. After each edition, we conduct audience surveys to better understand our main stakeholder—the ticket buyer—and to involve them more closely in the organization.

STROOM conducts a materiality analysis.

• A materiality analysis examines what is important for both the organization and its stakeholders. We assess financial, social, and governance-related themes from two perspectives:
  • From the outside in: how external factors impact our organization
  • From the inside out: how we impact people and the environment

STROOM communicates its sustainability ambitions and commitment to the SDGs through its external channels and highlights concrete initiatives related to the SDGs.

• On our website and blog, you can find extensive information about how STROOM approaches the SDGs and its sustainability mission.

The organization communicates annually, internally, about the achievements, objectives, and ambitions of its SDG action plan and sustainability policy.

• Each year, we organize an internal sustainability day where all initiatives are discussed with the entire team. In this way, our sustainability manager and working group ensure that the sustainability mission is integrated across all areas of operation.

And now?

The SDG Pioneer certificate is valid for three years, but each year STROOM continues to operate under the VOKA Charter for Sustainable Entrepreneurship. As a certified sustainability thinker, STROOM now also serves on the jury for other companies, allowing us to advance our mission together with other organizations.

Curious about STROOM’s sustainability mission? On this page, you can find a brief summary of our key actions and read our full sustainability plan.