All about Irie Vibes

Greenforward is the organisation behind the Irie Vibes Roots Festival and Kortemark Conge. In addition to the preparation required for these events, we occasionally organise smaller events and aim to be actively involved in local cultural, ecological and social initiatives.

Greenforward’s mission is to bring people together in an inclusive, diverse and family-friendly atmosphere by organising small-scale, affordable and locally rooted cultural events.

With trust, respect, honesty, enthusiasm, responsibility and open communication as our core values, we strive to give our members opportunities to engage in cultural activities.

Sustainability, social engagement and collaboration are central to Greenforward’s vision. We aim to minimise our ecological impact while giving members the opportunity to develop their talents, both individually and as part of a group.

Our strategy is to keep events financially accessible, make them family- and child-friendly and wheelchair accessible, and focus on local partnerships, social inclusion, zero food waste and recycling.

IRIE VIBES ROOTS FESTIVAL

After more than 20 years, Irie Vibes Roots Festival has become a firm fixture on the festival calendar for many reggae and dub enthusiasts. This small-scale event certainly lives up to high international standards, as reflected not only by the many international acts, but also by the large number of visitors from abroad.

KORTEMARK CONGÉ

Since 2017, Kortemark Congé has kicked off the Irie Vibes Roots Festival on Thursday evening. This free entrance festival opening offers a lively evening with great bands followed by a funky DJ. In this way, we bring the people of Kortemark together and envolve them into the festival spirit.

VOLUNTEERS

The festival is fully organised by about twenty unpaid members and brought to life by some 250 volunteers during the festival. The warm family vibe creates an open and safe atmosphere where people discover their talents, take initiative and embrace responsibility.

North-South Initiativessss

Through its World Market, Kortemark's North-South Initiative puts organisations in the spotlight that are committed to supporting the Global South, promoting fair trade and raising awareness of the need to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. In addition to their biennial World Market in Kortemark, they are also present at Irie Vibes, where they are happy to share their sustainable global vision with festival visitors.

Weedo Tanzania

Women Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Development Organization helps adolescent girls and young women from disadvantaged backgrounds become financially independent. How did we collaborate with them?

Asylum Centre in Poelkapelle

What did we do together?

‘t Schoederkloptje

What did we do together?

Christelijke Mutualiteit

Thanks to the support of the Christelijke Mutualiteit, we are able to provide hearing protection for children free of charge.

Restore the Landscape (Natuurpunt)

Pollarded willows help dry out waterlogged meadows, provide shelter for many animals and insects, stabilise stream banks and offer shade. As part of this project, we planted 50 willow trees on the festival site. Some of them survived and now help shape the festival grounds.

Zero Food Waste Initiative

For crew catering during the build-up, festival and dismantling periods, we collect surplus food from local businesses and retailers.

World Cleanup Day

We are happy to take part in this global initiative, during which organisations and communities around the world come together to clean up litter. We participate both in Kortemark and in the home municipalities of our members across Flanders.

Water Recovery

Although Irie Vibes is not legally required to do so, all wastewater from the showers is fully filtered and reused in cooperation with Desotec. As a result, we have more than halved our water consumption and only discharge clean water into the drainage ditches.

Reusable Cups

Since the early years of Irie Vibes, we have used reusable cups that are washed on site. In addition, our straws are fully biodegradable, and we require food trucks to use only washable or biodegradable food containers.

GreenEvent Award

Thanks to our ecological initiatives at the Irie Vibes Roots Festival, VZW Greenforward was among the finalists for the GreenEvent Award in 2017. In 2018, we won the award in the Small Events category.

Welcome to our physical festival shop. Here is a preview of the official merchandise and exclusive festival souvenirs available on-site at the merchandise stand during festival days. These items are available exclusively in our physical shop on the festival grounds.

Festival t-shirt

100% organic cotton, screen-printed edition artwork on front and back lineup.

Hoodie

Premium heavy fleece hoodie with kangaroo pocket and embroidered chest badge.

Snapback cap

Adjustable snapback cap with detailed Rasta tri-color Irie Vibes badge.

Lanyard & pin

Woven festival lanyard complete with official metal enamel souvenir pin.