Empowering Nightlife for Health & Well-being
NEWNet
The Nightlife Empowerment & Well-being Network (NEW Net) is a European network of community-based NGOs working in the fields of health promotion and nightlife. With 50 member projects across 17 European countries, NEW Net represents a diverse and experienced group of stakeholders committed to improving the well-being of individuals involved in nightlife settings—whether as workers, attendees, or professionals.
Explore our interactive map to discover the locations and contributions of NewNet members.
Click on the markers to learn more about each member's role and initiatives within our community..
NEWNet
Every year we are part of organising the Nights Conference. Our primary aim is to promote health, safety, and well-being within recreational environments. We achieve this by:
- Fostering cooperation and partnerships among stakeholders
- Exchanging and developing scientific and practice-based knowledge, tools, and interventions
- Supporting local organizations and initiatives
- Contributing to political and scientific discourse to advance ethical, evidence-based, and effective policies
- Engaging in any activities that support and enhance our mission
Our Shared Aims
NEW Net is united by a common vision of safer, healthier, and more inclusive nightlife. Together, we work to:
- Promote individual choice and awareness of party-related risks
- Enable people to manage their personal pleasure and associated risks in informed, responsible ways that align with their values
- Support individuals in making their own decisions by providing the tools and guidance they need
- Strengthen community health through the empowerment of people who use drugs, partygoers, and nightlife professionals, encouraging their active participation in local drug policy and practice
- Enhance the safety of recreational spaces through collaboration with nightlife professionals
- Contribute to scientific research and data dissemination relevant to nightlife health and safety
- Support the cultural sustainability of nightlife and party scenes
- Provide accurate, accessible information on drugs and harm reduction strategies
History
NEW Net emerged from the Nightlife Empowerment & Well-being Implementation Project (2011–2013), which brought together the Basics Network and the Democracy, Cities & Drugs Safer Nightlife Platform.
Founded in 1998, the Basics Network—“for dance culture and drug awareness”—consisted of peer-led projects born from party scenes across Europe, focused on health promotion and harm reduction. This network facilitated a practice-sharing initiative between 2001 and 2002.
Between 2005 and 2011, the Democracy, Cities & Drugs projects supported EU cities in developing integrated, partnership-based municipal drug policies. Within this framework, the Safer Nightlife Platform brought together 16 local health promotion NGOs and 7 European cities and regions, producing influential resources including guidelines, a digital library, and video content.
Between 2011 and 2013, the EU-financed Nightlife Empowerment & Well-being Implementation Project (NEWIP) was active. During this time, we came together to organize volunteer trainings and joint interventions. The TEDI Working Group for drug checking projects across Europe was established, as well as the Party+ Working Group for party label development.
Over the course of three years, we met regularly and built both professional relationships and lasting friendships. As the project came to an end, we felt a strong desire to continue the collaboration. To preserve the momentum and the unique spirit we had created, the idea of transforming the NEWIP project into a lasting network was born.
Since 2013, NEW Net has evolved into an independent, collaborative network of nightlife professionals, regional authorities, harm reduction specialists, and researchers. We meet annually to share knowledge, develop projects, and promote safer nightlife practices across Europe.