Green Policy of Cona Institute

Even though Cona is a non-profit cultural organisation with a minimal environmental footprint, we are fully aware that our approach, production, and working methods can make a significant contribution to the understanding and implementation of sustainable practices, particularly in the cultural sector. Our green transition is based on two key pillars: raising awareness through art and gradually transforming the organisation internally.

On one hand, we develop and share practices that highlight the importance of sustainability, particularly through sound art and slow, deliberate walking as a means of exploring space. On the other hand, we are gradually changing our production habits, from mobility and food choices to resource and digital practices, with the goal of reducing our environmental impact.

This document outlines our current efforts and outlines the areas where we intend to further develop our environmental responsibility.

Green Projects and Initiatives

In 2024, we joined the national initiative Green Transition in Culture  (JR-ZPK-2024-2026), which promotes the introduction of sustainable practices into the cultural sector. As part of this initiative, we are implementing the project Sejalke_ zelena sodelovanja festivala TO)pot (2024–2026), designed to strategically integrate sustainability principles into our Festival of radical soundwalks TO)pot. Through this project, we are introducing more environmentally friendly approaches to event organization and raising awareness among participating artists and our audience about environmental topics. The project continues in 2025 and serves as a foundation for shaping a broader green strategy for our institute.

Main Components of Cona’s Green Transition

Sustainable Development of the TO)pot Festival

The TO)pot festival represents the core focus of our sustainability efforts. Based on the experience gained, we are preparing a strategic document titled “Green Transition of the TO)pot Festival”, which will define long-term goals and measures to reduce the festival’s environmental impact. Among other things, it will be based on the results of carbon footprint measurements of the festival in 2024 and 2025.

Sustainable Operations of Cona Institute

Building on insights and measurements gathered through the implementation of the TO)pot festival, we will also prepare an internal document titled “Cona’s Green Guidelines”, aimed at the overall greening of Cona Institute’s operations. In addition, we will carry out an analysis of existing policies for reducing sound pollution (during 2025/26) and emphasize the implementation of activities to raise awareness about sustainable practices.

Key Areas of Sustainable Action

In our green policy, we highlight the key areas in which we will improve our sustainable practices:

• Sustainable mobility – promoting the use of public transport, walking, and cycling for reaching our events and business travel.
• Responsible food practices – offering locally sourced and predominantly plant-based food at our events, while reducing and properly separating food waste.
• Digital sustainability – using digital tools and services efficiently with low energy consumption and responsible data management.
• Sustainable use of resources – conserving energy and water, reducing single-use plastics and other non-sustainable materials, reusing and recycling equipment, and proper waste management.

Collaboration for a Green Future

We pursue our green goals in collaboration with the wider community. We work with partners and experts, and we share good practices with other cultural organizations striving for a sustainable transition. International cooperation plays an important role, and we are applying for the project Being Heard (CREA-CULT-2025-COOP) with international partners, which, if approved, will enable us to continue and expand our sustainability efforts on an international scale.

Our Commitments

We see Cona’s green transition as a process of learning, adaptation, and collaboration. As part of the Sejalke project, we will gradually develop our own guidelines suited to our capacities and establish simple yet effective practices to reduce environmental impact. We will monitor key areas primarily through qualitative self-assessment, observations, and the search for meaningful improvements.

We will review this green policy annually and update it as needed, based on practical experience, new knowledge, and dialogue with our partners and collaborators.

What Can You Do?

Visitors and supporters of Cona can also contribute to our green transition. We invite you to help us implement this policy by:

• Coming to our events using sustainable transport (walking, cycling, public transport);
• Using reusable water bottles;
• prevent waste, or separate waste properly if it cannot be avoided.
• respecting the natural environment at our outdoor venues.

We believe that small steps by individuals and our collective engagement can lead to meaningful shifts toward a more sustainable cultural future.

Published: April 1, 2025