FestiJuste: A European Festival for Socio-Ecological Transition

From Brussels to Marseille, students united for a greener, fairer future

The movement gained momentum—FestiJuste, a European festival for socio-ecological transition, captured hearts and minds across campuses from Brussels to Stockholm, and finally, Aix-Marseille Université. Spearheaded by SiTO (Students in Transition Office) at the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), this festival gathered students, associations, experts, and activists to confront the ecological crisis and build a more just, sustainable world—together.

FestiJuste kicked off in Brussels on March 18–19, 2025, with an energizing two-day program hosted on the ULB campus. The first day featured an interactive association village, with student groups and NGOs showcasing projects, facilitating games and workshops, and inspiring action through hands-on engagement. On day two, the focus shifted to critical discussions and thematic debates on topics like food sovereignty, climate justice, and system change—culminating in a warm closing evening of community, reflection, and networking. And the dialogue didn’t stop there: during the week of April 7, students welcomed a delegation from Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD) in Senegal for a powerful exchange on sustainability and education. UCAD students shared their experience working on micro-gardening initiatives in Senegalese schools, bringing a vital Global South perspective to the table.

Cross-border conversations: FestiJuste in Stockholm and Marseille


After Brussels, the energy carried north to Stockholm University on March 28th, where Swedish students and international guests explored circular economy, climate displacement, and youth-led solutions through workshops and roundtables. The Stockholm edition added its own flavor—focusing on local action with a global lens, and further strengthening student-led networks within the CIVIS alliance.

 

The final edition of FestiJuste took place at Aix-Marseille Université on April 25th–26th, 2025, in one of Europe’s most climate-aware regions. The Marseille program delivered a vibrant blend of performances, panel discussions, creative workshops, and outdoor community activities—all aligned with FestiJuste’s mission to empower and unite the next generation of change-makers. The event welcomed students, researchers, NGOs, entrepreneurs, and all those committed to sustainability and justice.

Photo credits: CIVIS communication unit and FestiJUSTE organisers

Meet the organisers and partners behind FestiJuste

FestiJuste was led by SiTO (Students in Transition Office), a student-driven platform at ULB working to accelerate socio-ecological transformation on campus and beyond. The project was coordinated by Patrick Kalas-Mijimbu, who has been a key force in building bridges between partner universities and helping FestiJuste grow into a truly transnational initiative.

The festival was made possible through collaboration with:

  • Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Belgium – Founding and hosting institution
  • Stockholm University (SU), Sweden – Host of the Nordic edition
  • Aix-Marseille Université (AMU), France – Host of the final edition
  • Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD), Senegal – Providing vital Global South insights on ecological transition and education

Together, these institutions formed a powerful CIVIS network working toward more just, sustainable, and inclusive futures.

Meet SiTO here

The coordinators 

Patrick Kalas-Mijimbu

My name is Patrick and I am currently studying Chemistry at the Université libre de Bruxelles. I have a strong interest in environmental issues, particularly the challenge of greenhouse gas emissions. Among these, carbon dioxide (CO₂) is of special concern to me due to its major contribution to global warming. I am passionate about exploring and promoting different methods to reduce its presence in the atmosphere. I am originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country that is already witnessing the effects of climate change.
According to scientific projections, large parts of the territory may become uninhabitable by 2100 if we don’t take action now to limit our emissions and slow the rise in global temperatures. That’s why I got involved in organizing the FestiJUSTE alongside Sophie. I believe university is a key space to raise awareness and mobilize students around urgent social and ecological issues. This festival on fair transition was an opportunity to bring together people and ideas around sustainability, climate justice, and systemic change. I was proud to contribute to this initiative and I hope it will continue to grow in the future.

Sophie Bernard

My name is Sophie and I am currently studying Public and International Law at the Université libre de Bruxelles. My two main interests are human rights and environmental issues, which have driven both my academic path and my social activities on the campus. I have always been involved in organizing activities at university because I think it’s the ideal place to make students aware about our impact on society. That’s why I joined SiTO (Student in Transition Office), which is an assembly of students who think about how to transform our university into a place that promotes social and ecological transition.
In this perspective, we organized the Festijuste, a festival on fair transition. The idea was to create an event where students could learn more about different topics related to the socio-ecological transition such as agriculture, recycling processes, alternative economic theories, decolonisation, etc. The associative village was a success, bringing together many people who discovered or learned more about these issues. It was a pleasure to be involved in this project and I hope to see it again next year.

Who is FestiJuste for?

FestiJuste is designed for a broad and diverse audience united by a shared concern for the planet and a desire to act. The festival welcomes:

  • University students and staff passionate about ecological and social justice
  • Associations, NGOs, and activists working on sustainability and climate issues
  • Entrepreneurs and professionals interested in green innovation
  • General public and local communities looking to engage in meaningful dialogue and action

Whether you’re attending a single workshop or following the full program across countries, FestiJuste offers something for everyone!

Why it matters: Our motivation

At its core, FestiJuste is about empowerment. It creates spaces where young people, especially students, can learn, collaborate, and lead the transformation they want to see in the world. The festival encourages bold thinking and practical action—breaking silos between academia, activism, and everyday life.

By fostering cross-border exchanges, elevating Global South perspectives, and weaving together climate, social, and economic justice, FestiJuste challenges the status quo and invites all of us to imagine and build fairer futures—together.

From inspiration to action

From Brussels to Marseille, FestiJuste has been a space to:

  • Engage in workshops and debates with leading voices on ecological transition
  • Connect with NGOs and student organisations across Europe and Africa
  • Exchange ideas and build networks that last beyond the festival
  • Get inspired to act— on campus, in communities, and across borders

Practical information

FestiJuste' s events:

FestiJuste isn’t just about climate talks—it’s about action, solidarity, and celebration. Come be part of the change!