Call for Applications
For the 2022 “Green Cities” edition of Zero Waste Berlin Festival we’re looking for speakers, innovators, artists, makers, community leaders, and anyone with a compelling vision for a sustainable future. Do you have an idea, solution, or project that you want to share? Then we want to hear from you!
We’re looking for thought-provoking and engaging content around inspiring ideas and impactful solutions for Green Cities. For this open call for applications, we are not accepting company pitches or promotions. If you want to showcase your business at the festival, please get in touch with us directly: info@zerowasteberlinfestival.com.
Before applying, please check the FAQ, and make sure that you’re available for the festival dates. This year’s festival will take place in Berlin on September 16-17.
Deadline: The Call for Applications is open until May 15, 2022, 23:59. We’ll be reviewing applications on a rolling basis, so feel encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Festival Details
Zero Waste Berlin Festival will take place over two days in September. On Friday, September 16th, we invite you to take part in the Green Xperience to connect and exchange ideas with professionals working in and around sustainability. On Saturday, September 17th, the Citizen Xperience will offer broader programming focusing on solutions and education for individuals interested in sustainability in everyday life.
We’re looking for submissions for both professional and general public content, across the seven festival categories under the overarching theme of “Green Cities”.
This year’s categories are:
Green Tech
With their dense population and limited space, cities present big challenges for all types of infrastructure—from production and delivery of goods and services, to waste disposal, air pollution, and energy use. How can new technologies help solve these problems and transform cities into models for a sustainable future?
Sustainable Food Systems
In cities the supermarket shelves are filled with every imaginable food item, often mass-produced, shipped across the world and stripped of its nutrients. The current system is sensitive to supply chain disruptions, it is resource intensive, and creates large amounts of food waste. How might we create an urban food system that meets a growing population’s need for nutritious food in a sustainable way?
Sustainable Fashion
Sustainable fashion goes beyond re-thinking the materials we use and the fast fashion model of production and consumption. Do you know who made your clothes and under what conditions? And what happens to your clothes when you’re no longer wearing them, where do they go? Sustainability in fashion means looking at the whole value chain and re-thinking it to move away from resource depletion, toxic substances, pollution, exploitation of labour, and mountains of waste. What role might cites play in this transformation?
Sustainable Lifestyle
Living sustainably in cities is a lot easier than you might think! City-dwellers rarely need to use cars to get around, and due to the amount of people, the options for everything from food to household items are abundant. If you want to live more sustainably, consider the consumption choices you make every day—from takeaway coffee to transportation—and see if you can find a sustainable option!
Mobility
When talking about mobility in cities, and how to make it green, one needs to consider how multi-layered the topic is. The mobility system is made up of a multitude of actors—public, private, and individuals—and city planning and development present ever-evolving needs for getting around. How might we plan cities to ensure accessible and safe mobility for everyone—those who live in cities as well as people commuting from outside?
Activism
Climate activism is interdisciplinary advocacy for climate action to be recognized and addressed by policymakers. Citizens have a voice and it becomes stronger when banding together with other people. Companies can use their influence to advocate for climate action, too. Discover grassroots and brand campaigns that are trying to create a better future for everyone—opportunities for local, collective action are everywhere! What do you want your city of the future to look like?
Community
The climate crisis and ecological breakdown can feel overwhelming. The best way to avoid getting paralyzed by it is to do something and to do it together. This crisis stems from a deep disconnection between humans and nature. By reconnecting with one another, we can start to heal these wounds and build resilience by creating strong communities. Communities can drive positive change and become a source of support in difficult times.
Festival Formats*
We have a number of different formats where you can present your idea or content at our festival.
A presentation lends itself well for you to share inspiring, big and impactful ideas. 1-2 speakers.
Time: 15-30 min
The panel is a place for discussion and hearing different takes on a topic. It has a moderator, and 2-4 participants representing different views. In your application, include who will moderate and who the participants will be and make sure your panel is diverse and representative, by including people with different experiences and backgrounds.
Time: 35 min + 10 min Q&A
This format allows for a more intimate conversation around your topic. Please include both interviewer and interviewee in your application. Also here we ask that you consider who you invite and what group or perspective they represent.
Time: 20 min + 5 min Q&A
Want to share something hands-on and educational? Or hold space for discussing a specific topic? Then we invite you to apply with a workshop idea! Please let us know if you’ll be needing any particular materials, the length of your session, as well as how big of a group your workshop can accommodate.
We recommend group sizes of 10-15 people and a duration of 1-2 hours.
Let’s get down to business with a masterclass! This is for professionals who want to walk away with a deeper understanding of a topic. Let us know if you need any special materials, how long the class would be, and how many people can join the masterclass.
We recommend group sizes of 10-15 people and a duration of 1-2 hours.
Got a film you want to showcase? We’re so here for it! Share the title, synopsis, length, and a link to the trailer if available.
We look forward to receiving submissions for art and installations at the festival. Just make sure to let us know if you have any special needs, such as time for building and takedown, amount and type of space, electricity, wifi, you name it! The more we know, the better we can assess whether we can make your art shine at the festival.
* Please note that we may suggest a different format for your contribution than the one you apply with, depending on the overall programming and what we think will best serve your idea.