Victoriaville, December 6, 2023 – The SADC Arthabaska-Érable has just concluded its ambitious project to reduce the environmental impact of events, which involved 11 festivals in the MRCs of Arthabaska and L’Érable over the past few months.
Thanks to funding from the Virage vert program implemented by the Réseau des SADC et CAE, in collaboration with Canada Economic Development, the SADC was able to invest $25,000 in this project to support these local festivals in organizing their events in a more eco-responsible manner.
Participants took part in three training and discussion workshops, during which they were notably made aware of the benefits of hosting an eco-responsible event, such as easier access to funding and sponsorship, as well as improved organizational image and a competitive edge. In addition, participants learned how to organize their events in ways that reduce environmental impacts, and they shared both the effective sustainable development practices they were already implementing and those they integrated during this project.
Furthermore, after an analysis by a specialist of the practices and challenges of each festival, the festivals received a sustainable development policy and a customized action plan tailored to their realities. Specific goals and solutions were proposed to help them reduce their environmental impact.
This year, at their latest editions, the participating festivals implemented various sustainable initiatives such as shuttle buses for participant transport, reusable “Ecocup” cups, multi-stream waste sorting stations, solar panels, and wind energy to power campgrounds. “Thanks to the SADC’s support, we were able to install drinking water stations that eliminated 90% of plastic bottles at our events,” says Serge Nadeau, President of the Festival des Sucres, Rock Fest, and St-Pierre-Baptiste en fête.
The SADC’s General Director, Jocelyn Grondin, is “very pleased with the success of this project, which also enabled four festivals to achieve certification under the BNQ 9700-253 standard (Sustainable Development – Responsible Event Management).” He adds that “this significant project is part of the SADC’s green shift, positioning it as a truly indispensable actor in sustainable development in the region.”
Festivals participating in the project:
- Canneberge en Fête
- Concours solistes et petits ensembles
- Expo agricole de Victoriaville
- Festival Country Dark Whiskey (Chesterville)
- Festival des Sucres (St-Pierre-Baptiste)
- Festival du Bœuf (Inverness)
- Festival Hommes Forts Victoriaville
- Festival international de musique actuelle de Victoriaville • Foire Bières, Bouffe et Culture
- Rock Fest (St-Pierre-Baptiste)
- St-Pierre-Baptiste en fête
About the SADC Arthabaska-Érable
Founded in 1984, the SADC Arthabaska-Érable’s mission is to enrich the communities of the MRCs of Arthabaska and L’Érable by supporting and carrying out projects that foster economic, social, and environmental development. The SADC provides various services, including business support and financing, and it actively contributes to local vitality by initiating and supporting projects that promote entrepreneurship and economic growth.
Contact the SADC at 819 758‑1501 or
