In 2022, in line with the 75th anniversary of the Fringe, the Fringe Society launched six development goals, setting ambitious targets designed to ensure the long-term renewal of the festival.
These goals were structured to take place over the subsequent five years, ie from 2022 to 2027, in the run-up to the festival’s 80th anniversary. 2025 marks the halfway point in that journey, so we thought it would be timely to share an update on our progress so far.
Check out a complete summary of our progress or read on for a snapshot of the headlines.
Thriving artists
Be the best place in the world for emerging artists to perform and the best platform for talent to emerge.
- We introduced the £100,000 Keep it Fringe fund in 2023, thanks to donations from Edinburgh Gin and the Fringe Society’s honorary President, Phoebe Waller-Bridge; this was increased to £1Mn across 2024 and 2025, thanks to investment from DCMS.
- We’ve kept show registration fees frozen for 17 years in a row.
- Our efforts to engage with arts industry at the Fringe have paid dividends – attendance by programmers, bookers and talent scouts increased by 30% from 2023 to 2024, while the number of delegates from the film and TV sector increased by 88%.
Fair work
Eradicate any remaining unfair or exploitative work conditions at the Fringe.
- New Fringe venues have accredited as Real Living Wage employers.
- Fringe workers are now surveyed annually in our regular programme of research, ensuring their responses inform our plans for future festivals.
- We are scoping out a cross-Fringe job portal as part of our new website, though this will require further investment.
Climate action
Become a carbon net zero event by 2030.
- We introduced e-ticketing in 2022, vastly reducing our paper usage, and have continued to reduce the volume of printed programmes.
- Sustainability is one of the core considerations in the development of our new Fringe Central building, which will reduce the Fringe Society’s carbon emissions by significant percentage.
Equitable Fringe
Who you are and where you are from is not a barrier to attending or performing at the Edinburgh Fringe.
- Around 30-35% of successful Keep it Fringe funding recipients have come from a working-class background across the three years of the project, while 38% identified as disabled or having a health condition.
- Over 50% of Emerging Professionals programme participants were from a working-class background, and / or identified as Disabled, and / or as part of the Global Majority, and / or the LGBTQ+ community.
- We’ve provided the opportunity for more than 180 people from across the city to perform on the Community Stage, and matched LGBT Youth with a Fringe artist to co-create a theatre piece to be performed on the stage.
Good citizenship
The Fringe, a force for good in and for the city of Edinburgh.
- Our Community Ticketing Initiative and Fringe Days Out projects are delivered in all wards of the city, sharing the Fringe experience with Edinburgh locals who would otherwise miss out.
- The Fringe remains an unparalleled showcase for local talent – 650 shows in 2024 programme were from Edinburgh artists and companies.
- Delivery of Fringe events in areas of the city the Fringe doesn’t reach, such as Broomhouse, North Edinburgh (Muirhouse, Pilton, Drylaw and Granton) and Burdiehouse, plus performances in Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, Capability Scotland, Merchiston Ward at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Cyrenians Farm, Artlink and seven care homes across Edinburgh, for those unable to attend in person.
Digital evolution
Enhance the live Fringe experience by ensuring a world-class digital experience.
- Investment for a new website that meets our ambitions for accessibility and future-proofing has been secured through DCMS and partner funds – this is due to commence in August 2025 and be ready in time for Fringe 2027.
- Work to provide greater insights and access to data is built into our Digital Transformation strategy, with funding and investment in place to deliver, including making the Fringe an Open Data festival.
Help support the future of the Fringe
We’re proud of the progress we’ve made against our development goals so far, but we know there’s much more to be done – and we need support to do it. Find out how you can help us ensure the long-term renewal of the festival.
