Greenstage is an EU-funded project that promotes sustainability in all its dimensions within the performing arts sector.
Our goal is to help theatres and cultural institutions across Europe integrate sustainability into every aspect of their operations, with a particular focus on transitioning from the traditional take-make-waste model to a circular economy.
We strongly believe that this transformation requires active collaboration with local municipalities as valuable partners in the local cultural framework as well as in their roles as funding partners and regulators. These partnerships are key to ensuring the success of sustainable practices.
To fuel this transformation, Greenstage offers innovative tools and approaches to guide the performing arts sector:
This comprehensive and user-friendly online self-assessment instrument enables cultural institutions to evaluate their current practices, identify opportunities for improvement, and take the first steps towards more sustainable processes. Designed to support both employees and management, the SAPA tool helps develop skills and encourages targeted adaptations to align operations with ecological, social, economic, and cultural goals.
The result of the SAPA process is a tailor-made action plan that helps institutions to gradually implement specific measures to transform their structures and processes and achieve their goals.
The result of the SAPA process is a tailor-made action plan that helps institutions to gradually implement specific measures to transform their structures and processes and achieve their goals.
This practical resource provides theatres with strategies and measures to prevent waste across the entire production life cycle. Featuring concrete best-practice examples, the toolbox showcases proven circular economy approaches and provides step-by-step guidance for implementation.
By addressing key areas—from set design and construction to performances and post-production—the toolbox equips theatres with effective, tailored solutions that reduce waste and support the transition to a circular economy.
The Zero-Waste Stage Lab aims to generate actionable knowledge through practical experimentation, testing the tools and insights developed in the Zero-Waste Stage Toolbox. The laboratory will result in two sustainable performances—one at Theatre Oberhausen in Germany and one at the National Theatre of Latvia—as well as a sustainable theatre festival in 2026 during the Mladi Levi Festival in Ljubljana.
Additionally, the City of Mantova and the Volkstheater Vienna will develop two Material and Logistic Flow Plans, showcasing practical solutions for resource optimisation and waste reduction.
In addition to providing tools and resources, Greenstage actively engages policymakers and stakeholders at local and transnational levels to ensure lasting impact. Through local and transnational policy hubs, we identify pressing challenges, define effective policies, and develop targeted recommendations.
- At the local level, these recommendations are concrete and actionable, ensuring practical implementation.
- At the transnational level, they are consolidated into the Greenstage Declaration—a collective statement endorsed by all partners and stakeholders. This declaration will be presented to key decision-makers in Brussels, underlining the performing arts sector's commitment to sustainable transformation and policy-driven change.
By developing essential tools like the SAPA Tool, the Zero-Waste Stage Toolbox, and the Zero-Waste Stage Lab, and ensuring their widespread dissemination, Greenstage provides a solid framework for integrating sustainability principles into performing arts activities. These efforts align with international agreements and foster a culture of environmental responsibility within the sector.
Finally, Greenstage does not just advocate for change—it leads by example. We are encouraged to implement and promote environmentally sustainable practices within our own organisations and to share our successes to inspire others to join the movement towards a more sustainable future.
The Greenstage project is committed to championing environmental sustainability, driving innovation, and fostering collaboration to transform the performing arts sector into a role model of sustainability.
Sustainability
is of the essence
Greenstage addresses pressing challenges in the performing arts, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the transition to resource-efficient and circular practices within the operations of the organisation ecology as well as their theatre production processes, such as stage design.
Greenstage is committed to a comprehensive sustainability approach. Therefore, all project partners are committed to upholding the principles of environmental sustainability, integrating ecological, social, and economic dimensions into project planning and execution, in line with international agreements such as:
The Greenstage project team is committed to integrating sustainable practices across all project activities, ensuring a comprehensive approach to environmental and social responsibility. By promoting sustainable transport, stakeholder engagement, efficient resource management, transparent communication, continuous learning, and skills development, the Greenstage project aims to minimise its environmental impact and contribute to a sustainable future for the performing arts sector, striving to operate within the ecosystem and planetary boundaries. The project partners are encouraged to do their utmost to implement and promote environmentally sustainable practices within their organisations.
Diversity, equity
and inclusivity is green
Project partners
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