In collaboration with De Dag van de Gemeenschapseconomie (The Day of the Community Economy), Amsterdam Roots Festival gains an extra dimension this year that reaches beyond the stage. In Oosterpark, two distinctive festivals take place side by side, joining forces to present a rich and diverse programme together. With a shared commitment to the people of Amsterdam and a belief in the power of collectivity, they strengthen one another and create space for new encounters and exchange. In this context, the festival theme Cultural Commons takes on added meaning: culture and society as something we not only experience, but also collectively carry, manage, and shape.

De Dag van de Gemeenschapseconomie, organised by MeentCoop, highlights an economy built on shared ownership, solidarity, and local engagement. The community economy is already very much alive in Amsterdam, and grows stronger when it is made visible.

Alongside the Amsterdam Roots programme—filled with music, circus, dance, and workshops—visitors can explore a wide range of local initiatives and cooperatives that demonstrate alternative ways of organising. At The Day of the Community Economy, you’ll find a vibrant marketplace of social entrepreneurs, local initiatives, and cooperations. From community gardens and repair cafés to housing and energy cooperatives: a lively network of people actively shaping the city together.

The Day of the Community Economy opens with American activist, writer, and independent researcher David Bollier, alongside Deputy Mayor Zita Pels, who in recent years has been committed to sustainability, the circular economy, and affordable housing. With a programme of workshops and inspiring sessions, the day offers space for exchange, reflection, and new ideas around collective organisation and alternative economies.

Amsterdam Roots Festival 2026 becomes a place where different worlds come together — where ideas emerge, stories intersect, and new connections can grow.