Twestival Home

Wondering what a Twestival is and whether or not you’d like to attend? Learn a little more about Twestivals, both local and global.

What is a Twestival?

A Twestival or Twitter-Festival is a global series of events organized by volunteers around the world under short timescales, which bring people offline for a great cause.  Twestival is run 100% by volunteers and independently from any not-for-profit; although the organizing teams do work closely to outline an achievable and measurable fundraising target.  Twestival also sets out to identify key skills of volunteers and match these with the needs of the cause; particularly communications strategy, tech integration and social media training.  Twestival Local takes place in cities around the world : 10-13 September 2009.

A Short History of Twestival

In September 2008, a group of London Twitter users hosted an event called Harvest Twestival connecting people offline for a bit of fun and for a good cause.  Organizers held a raffle, collected donations and canned food for a local not-for-profit called The Connection in Trafalgar Square, which supports programs for the homeless.  The organizers planned the bulk of the event in under two weeks and pulled in sponsorship from people on Twitter. The event, which was originally intended for 30-40 people ended up with a waiting list and all 250 attendees wearing @name stickers to identify themselves to others they had met online.  After the enthusiasm of the Harvest Twestival, the team starting planning the next London event, while the idea of hosting simultaneous Twestival events around the world was quietly brewing…

The first Twestival Global was launched with a tweet on 8 January 2009 and barely a month later on 12 February, there were 202 cities around the world hosting events to benefit charity: water.  Over 1,000 volunteers, crowdsourced through Twitter, contributed their skills, over 10,000 people participated globally and countless others donated or used their creativity to ensure 100% of all proceeds went direct to charity: water projects.  The total raised in one day was over $250k through these events and online donations; resulting in 55 wells with more than 17,000 people served in Uganda, Ethiopia, and India.  Eight weeks later, Twestival architect @amanda accompanied @scottharrison and the @charitywater team to Ethiopia to drill the first well; providing daily videos, answering questions direct from the field and sharing the experience with supporters.  The momentum of Twestival created buzz and awareness around the world on national TV, radio, online and print publications including the Guardian, NY Times, Clarín, El Pais; with cnet even coining it ‘Twestival: Live Aid 2.0‘.  For additional background on the origins of Twestival Global : Reflection Interview and Twestival Case Study.

Twestival Local vs Twestival Global

Twestival was born out of the idea that if cities were able to collaborate on an international scale, but work from a local level, it could have a spectacular impact. While Twestival Global put the spotlight around one cause on a single day, Twestival Local is getting back to its roots and encouraging cities around the world to host events in support a local cause on one day during the weekend of 10-13 September 2009.

100% of the proceeds from these events will go direct to the local not-for-profit selected.  Everyone involved with Twestival is a volunteer.  Cities are asked to set a fundraising goal for their event, but it is much more than reaching a financial target.  Twestival Local is a fantastic opportunity to connect with people in your community.  The aim is to give people a chance to feel they are contributing to a larger social initiative, but bring the cause a little closer to home.

Follow @twestival for updates. Purchase your Twestival Jerusalem tickets here.