The Thrive+ Festival will take place in Bruneck on October 11, 2025 under the motto "Developing potential, equal opportunities and courage for the future". What began in 2023 as an impulse for female empowerment has developed into a broad-based forum. It invites all people who not only want to talk about the future, but also actively help shape it. The festival promises a day full of encounters, inspiring content and shared effectiveness.
The Thrive+ Festival 2025, initiated and led by Nora Dejaco, sees itself as an activating movement that combines personal growth with collective responsibility. "Anyone who wants to actively and effectively help shape their own future and that of future generations is very welcome to join us," explains Dejaco. "We are continuing what we started in 2023: We have designed a program for all visitors that is intended to inspire, motivate and support them in their personal development. Because we all benefit from each individual's courage for the future."
Over 25 program items offer a varied mix of keynotes, panel discussions, workshops and artistic performances. The variety of topics ranges from "Women in Tech" and "Female Leadership" to "LGBTQIA+ Rights" and "Antiracism" to "Mental Load" and "Equal Opportunities".
A highlight of the festival is the keynote speech by lawyer and LGBTI* activist Cathy La Torre. In addition, personalities such as Governor Arno Kompatscher, war correspondent Daniela Prugger, Christian Contarino from Alto Adige Pride and migration researcher Johanna Mitterhofer (Eurac) will discuss social diversity as a resource for equitable development. The event will be moderated by Verena Pliger.
In the workshops and learning spaces, participants can acquire concrete tools for personal action and social change. The offer includes topics such as gender-responsive urban planning, digital resilience and AI, violence prevention and the political participation of women. Collaboration with partners such as eurac research, OEW, Forum Prävention, Alto Adige Pride and Youkando.it ensures the high quality and relevance of the content.
Artistic impulses also play a central role. The day begins with a performance on the subject of identity and the reality of life, for which six authors - Lene Morgenstern, Jona Alba Becker, Iris Omari, Ines Visintainer, Jasemin Khaleli, Thina Adams and Maria Craffonara - have contributed texts. Nora Dejaco is responsible for the concept and direction, with dramaturgical support from Gisa Fellerer and Nadia Heiss. Musical entertainment will be provided by the renowned queer-feminist Schmusechor from Vienna. Exhibitions such as "The Red Boat" by Sophie Lazari and interactive formats create an artistic resonance space for social change that runs through the entire day.
The Thrive+ Festival attaches great importance to networking and encounters. Activists, organizations and interested parties come together in open formats to gain new perspectives, initiate collaborations and forge alliances. Participants include Wnet, Soroptimists, WoodVersity, SheBuilds, HUMAN&HUMAN, EWICO, Eurac, Imma Collective and the South Tyrolean women's shelters.
The Thrive+ Festival 2025 invites you to become part of a movement that makes change possible - whether you want to network, think ahead or help shape it. Tickets and registration for the workshops are now available at www.thriveplus.it.
About Thrive+
Thrive+ means "thrive, flourish" in English and is committed to system criticism and solution-oriented change towards more equal opportunities and a future worth living, with a particular focus on FLINTA* people. Founded in 2023 and based in Bruneck, the association is now active in over three countries and has more than 100 members. The biennial Thrive+ festival is the highlight of the diverse activities in the field of diversity, equity and inclusion.
