or: how to be a cool kid
Cool Kids Productions e.V.
english version
Cool Kids Menu Festival is an independent, non-profit music festival dedicated to contemporary music culture, artistic exchange, and collective experience.
We aim to create a peaceful, discrimination-free space for everyone that allows for freedom of expression and shared enjoyment, while maintaining awareness of individual boundaries and the responsibility that comes with being in a shared environment.
We recognise that discrimination can still occur within our events. To actively address this, we have developed a Code of Conduct as a shared framework of values. It outlines what we consider respectful and appropriate behaviour, and what is not acceptable within this space.
To support a safer environment, every event is accompanied by an awareness team. The awareness team serves as a point of contact for both guests and organisers in situations where behaviour goes against these shared guidelines or where support is needed.
The awareness team is identifiable on site by their vests.
In addition, all members of the collective can be approached at any time if support is needed or if someone is unsure where to turn.
From the moment you enter the festival grounds, you acknowledge and accept our Code of Conduct. Behaviour that goes against these principles is taken seriously and may result in exclusion from the event and, in severe cases, from future involvement in our activities.
We operate with a clear zero-tolerance stance towards discriminatory behaviour. When an incident is reported, we recognise the affected person’s perspective as central in defining what happened and whether a boundary has been crossed or discrimination has taken place. In line with this, decisions around consequences are made with the involvement of the affected person, in coordination with the organising team, to determine appropriate and necessary action.
We reserve the right to remove individuals from the event if their behaviour puts the safety or wellbeing of others at risk.
These guidelines apply to everyone equally — including visitors, artists, staff, and organisers.
We see this as a shared responsibility: everyone contributes to making this space safer, more respectful, and more enjoyable for all.
We’re looking forward to having Cool Kids with us.
BASIC PRINCIPLES
The festival is based on the following principles. We
- understand and respect that we are all individuals with individual boundaries and needs
- respect physical and emotional boundaries
- have an awareness and a practice of consent in all interactions
- have zero tolerance for discrimination and harassment
- have responsibility for one’s behaviour in shared spaces
- have a care-oriented and supportive approach to conflicts and incidents
We understand safety as a collective and ongoing practice, not a guaranteed condition.
DISCRIMINATION AND HARRASMENT
We aim to establish a discrimination and harassment-free environment. Everyone who attends the festival is responsible to ensure a space where everyone feels welcome and respected. Any form of discrimination is not tolerated. Period.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- racism
- antisemitism
- islamophobia
- sexism
- queerphobia
- transphobia
- ableism
- age-based discrimination
- discrimination based on origin, appearance, or social status
This also applies to verbal expressions, gestures, symbols, jokes, or behaviour that reproduce or reinforce discriminatory structures.
Harassment, intimidation, stalking, or any form of unwanted attention is also not permitted.
CONSENT AND BOUNDARIES
Consent is required in all interpersonal interactions. Consent must be clear, informed, and voluntary. It can be withdrawn at any time.
Only yes means yes. No always means no and can also be communicated non-verbally.
This includes physical contact, personal communication, photography, filming, and any other form of engagement involving another person.
If a person is not in a position to give informed and voluntary consent — for example, but not limited to: pressure, insecurity, age, language barriers, or mental or physical condition — the absence of a “no” must never be understood as consent.
A lack of explicit refusal does never constitute consent.
Boundaries must be respected immediately and without negotiation.
The decision on whether a boundary has been crossed lies with the person affected. Their perception is central and must be respected and not questioned.
We do not look away when someone is made uncomfortable. Instead, we look out for one another and step in to offer support when it is needed and welcomed.
AWARENESS STRUCTURE
An awareness structure is present throughout the festival.
If you feel unwell, uncomfortable, threatened, harassed or discriminated – or you notice another person in these situations, please reach out to our Awareness team. They intervene in escalating or unsafe situations, provide guidance and facilitate support, handle reports in a confidential and non-judgmental manner.
Awareness personnel can be contacted at designated points or directly on site.
Incidents can also be reported to volunteers or staff at any time.
Reports will be taken seriously and handled with care and discretion.
You do not need to provide any explanation or justification for reaching out.
The Quiet Room on the festival grounds is a dedicated space for people who need to step away from the festival environment. This includes, for example but not only, neurodivergent people as well as people experiencing physical or mental health-related challenges.
The space is intended for moments of rest and regulation, such as in cases of overstimulation, anxiety, panic attacks, or when a quiet environment is needed.
This room is reserved exclusively for this purpose and is not intended as a general hangout space. Visitors and staff are asked to respect this and to be mindful and aware of its function at all times.
We aim to have a member of the awareness team present at the Quiet Room at all times. If this is not the case and you need assistance, please reach out or ask someone to reach out on your behalf.
We — the Cool Kids Menu team — are currently a small group of friends who started this project out of a shared love for DIY culture, music and community.
We see awareness work as something ongoing rather than finished. It is a process we are still learning through as a young and growing organising team.
We do not see ourselves as “done” or complete in this work, but as people actively trying to reflect, improve, and take responsibility within our means.
If you have feedback, suggestions, or comments, we are open to hearing from you here:
Instagram: coolkidsmenu