No debt, ever
The project never borrows and never takes on debt. It commits and spends only money already raised: secured funds or grants actually received. The size of the festival adapts to the funds raised, never the other way round.
Preparation mission
About €6,100 to €10,650, for two to three months of scouting.
Test gathering
About €44,000 to €83,000 excluding security, for 35 people over 4 days.
First festival
€60,000 to €150,000 depending on the country, for 300 to 1,000 visitors.
All amounts are estimates, to be replaced by quotes during the preparation mission.
Three money rules
- No funder exceeds 30% of the annual budget.
- The programme stays independent of patrons. Donations of €1,000 or more are published (proposed threshold).
Launch condition
The project starts as soon as the project director post is funded, with its travel during the build-up phase. It is the first item in the budget.
- Project direction salary: at least €1,500 net per month, or the local equivalent, for the whole build-up phase.
- Travel, accommodation and on-site health insurance: covered separately, on top of the salary.
All amounts are estimates: they will be replaced by quotes during the preparation mission.
Preparation mission
Test gathering: model budget (about 35 people, 4 days)
The budget does not depend on any particular country. It is given in ranges that cover very different venues and costs of living.
Three types of venue
| Type of venue | Total | Typical accommodation | Points to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural site | ≈ €44,000–65,000 | Camp, group lodge or residential centre | Plan access, rescue and weather; the season is often short. |
| Small town | ≈ €45,000–70,000 | Guesthouses, municipal or cultural hall | Limited accommodation; local partners are essential. |
| Mid-size city | ≈ €55,000–83,000 | Hotels, equipped hall, public transport | Accommodation and security cost more; access and logistics are simpler. |
The gap comes mainly from the local cost of living, visas and tourist taxes. Security is costed separately, on a quotation from a licensed local company, because its rates vary widely between countries.
The Test gathering is by invitation: it sells no tickets. It is funded by patrons, grants and in-kind contributions from partners.
Festival (first public festival)
Order of magnitude for a first 3- to 4-day edition, project director post included, for 300 to 1,000 visitors: €60,000 to €150,000, depending on the country. It will be costed on quotes after the Test gathering. For comparison, in France, creative festivals supported by the Ministry of Culture have a median planned budget of €100,000 for a median attendance of 2,800 people (2024 review).
Prudence rules
- The project direction contract covers the funded months.
- Safety comes first: first aid, insurance, contingency.
- If funding arrives later than planned, the date is postponed and each donor chooses: keep the donation for the new date or be refunded.
Funding models
- Patronage and donations, with a programme that stays independent.
- Public grants and tourism-board support, usually through a local organisation.
- Foundations, through a host organisation.
- University partnerships: equipment, supervision, students.
- Companies: sponsorship, loaned equipment, stands.
- Own revenue: pay-what-you-can tickets, food, sales of equipment, ingredients and cultural objects.
- In-kind support: a loaned venue, equipment, volunteers.
Governance
The project is being prepared as a private individual. It can also be hosted or co-led by an existing partner organisation, without creating a dedicated association.
Any surplus stays in the project.