Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) are key principles that help create fair and respectful communities and workplaces.

Equality means giving everyone the same rights and opportunities, making sure everyone has a fair chance to succeed. Diversity means recognizing that each person is unique and valuing their different beliefs, abilities, preferences, backgrounds, values, and identities. Inclusion means ensuring that all people, without exception, are included, respected, and appreciated as valuable members of the community [1]. 

Green Gathering Festival [2]

The Green Gathering Festival is a great example of how to make events more inclusive. The festival offers DEAF ACCESS BSL communication support, and each year, it aims to improve these services. In previous years, they have provided hearing loops in the Box Offices, Speakers’ Forum, and Soundscape Solar Stage. They also offer mobility assistance, with a flat, surfaced track connecting key areas like music venues, market stalls, bars, information and medical tents, welfare assistance, food stalls, and workshops. These efforts make the festival more accessible and appealing to a wider audience, leading to more ticket sales.

Manchester Jazz Festival (MJF) [3]

The Manchester Jazz Festival (mjf) works hard to reflect the diverse communities of northern England in its workforce, audience, and the artists it showcases. mjf was the first UK jazz festival to join Keychange in 2018, which aims for gender balance in music. Each year, mjf goes beyond the 50/50 gender balance target in its programming. In 2021, mjf partnered with Black Lives in Music (BLiM) to support culturally diverse work and artists, helping to eliminate biases in hiring and improve communication with diverse communities.

mjf has created special programs like mjf hothouse, mjf soundcheck, and mjf originals to support underrepresented artists. The festival ensures that all artist support programs and performance opportunities are open to everyone, using video and other non-text-based communication options. All event spaces are fully accessible and wheelchair-friendly, with events at different times and days to be more welcoming. Around a quarter of the events are free to attend. mjf also works to address the socio-economic challenges in the north of England, aiming to balance cultural investment away from London. They believe that music is for everyone and that everyone has the right to create and enjoy music.