Our Ethical Commitments
circusnext and its Platform members share a responsibility towards the circus sector and the artists they work with. Our primary goal is to support emerging artists and companies in the best way possible — not only through working space and financial support, but as counsellors, connectors, and ambassadors for the field.
These commitments reflect the values we hold collectively: transparency, direct communication, and a genuine concern for the conditions in which artists create and circulate their work across Europe.
Equity, diversity and inclusion
All participants in circusnext activities are expected to foster perspectives of diversity and inclusivity, banishing any form of discrimination. To this end:
- We apply a principle of gender parity in the composition of our board, our jury, and among the artists selected as finalists.
- All Platform members and jury members are invited to participate in online workshops on unconscious bias.
- We are committed to making the circusnext program accessible to all artists. In case of specific needs or requirements, we will work together to find appropriate solutions.
Working conditions
circusnext and its Platform members are committed to respecting minimum hosting and remuneration conditions for all supported artists and companies. To this end:
- The artistic team is provided with suitable working space, coverage of transport and accommodation, and minimum fees defined among the Platform for any form of interaction with an audience.
- Platform members will never charge any additional costs to the artist or company.
- A formal written agreement is drawn up between the Platform member and the artist or company before any collaboration takes place, specifying each party’s responsibilities.
Our selection process
The integrity of our annual selection is central to our mission. To this end:
- Jury and committee members commit to maintaining confidentiality regarding deliberations and information provided by the artists.
- Possible conflicts of interest are identified and addressed constructively.
- Jury and committee members demonstrate openness when discussing the projects, acknowledging that these projects may be at an early stage of creation and should not be judged as finalized works.
Ecological transition
We believe that ecological transition requires awareness and collective engagement. As a pan-European platform, circusnext is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its activities — particularly in terms of mobility. Our Platform members are engaged to carry out their activities within a framework of sustainable development.
To this end:
- We advocate for train as the preferred means of transportation and encourage our members to group performances in the same geographical area.
- At our own events and in our communications, we seek to limit our environmental footprint in practical ways.
- We offer ecological transition awareness sessions to the artists we support.
Safe environment at our events
circusnext does not tolerate any form of violence, harassment, or discrimination and is committed to providing a safe and respectful environment for all participants at its events. To this end:
- Members of our coordination team have received training on prevention of sexual or gender-based violence and harassment. A reporting procedure is in place — a designated referent is available to all victims and witnesses, who will be heard confidentially, with care and without judgment.
- Participants in our events are informed of this policy, our reporting procedure and the contact of our designated referent.
These commitments are part of an ongoing process, which we are currently formalizing through a broader organizational framework.