About Festa
Unique Platform
We have been a leader in advancing sustainability in Icelandic business since 2011.
Festa serves as both a bridge-builder and a guiding light in strengthening knowledge of sustainability within companies, institutions, and all types of organizations. We raise awareness across society, encourage collaboration, and inspire action in this field.
By connecting diverse actors – from businesses and municipalities to institutions and individuals – Festa brings together those who aspire to lead the way in sustainability.
Festa
Almost 200 outstanding companies, local associations and institutions make up the Festa community.
Our goal is to have an enriching impact on the environment and society. Festa - Center for Sustainability is a non-profit organization whose sole interest is sustainability.
What we do
We provide a dynamic platform where member organizations can collaborate, rise to the challenges, and seize the opportunities of a sustainable future.
Festa hosts numerous sustainability-focused events each year in collaboration with member organizations, stakeholders, government bodies, universities, and various associations. These include a wide range of training courses, meetings, awareness campaigns, and conferences – all aimed at strengthening the capacity of companies and organizations to excel in sustainability.
We monitor leading trends and policies worldwide and work to bring the most relevant and up-to-date knowledge to Icelandic society.
Networking meetings
Networking meetings have been a part of Festa’s work since the beginning. At each meeting, one member organization hosts the others, sharing its knowledge, experiences, and challenges in running a sustainable business. These gatherings consistently spark engaging discussions and serve as a valuable platform for building meaningful connections.
Melting Pot Meetings
We regularly host online meetings that address timely and relevant topics in the world of sustainability. These sessions focus on what is currently “in the melting pot” – which is why we call them Melting Pot Meetings. In these gatherings, Festa’s member organizations take on the role of educators, sharing their expertise with fellow members on issues that matter most.
January Conference
Festa’s January Conference is our flagship event – and the largest annual gathering on sustainability in Iceland. Each year, the theme reflects the most pressing issues in the sustainability arena, ensuring the content is timely and impactful. In recent years, the conference has consistently sold out, bringing together leaders and changemakers from across sectors.
An Invaluable Network
Festa offers an invaluable network of leading actors in the field of sustainability. Through this community, Festa directly contributes to enhancing both competitiveness and sustainability within Icelandic society.
Leading since 2011
Festa was founded in 2011 by Íslandsbanki, Landsbankinn, Landsvirkjun, Rio Tinto Alcan Íslandi, Síminn and Össur. The aim of establishing the center was to increase knowledge about corporate social responsibility and strengthen the capacity of companies to adopt socially responsible practices.
Festa is a member of the UN Global Compact and CSR Europe, which is the European association of centers for social responsibility and sustainability. Festa is also one of the founding members of the Nordic Circular Hotspot.
Staff
Board
Festa’s Board is composed of seven individuals elected at the Annual General Meeting to manage the organization’s affairs between meetings. The Chair, like the other Board Members, is elected for a two-year term.
Reykjavík University, which hosts Festa’s offices, has the right to appoint one representative to the Board.
