CODE OF CONDUCT
001
Our vision
With WAVMAP, we want to contribute to an electronic music scene where every person feels equally welcome and has the possibility to express themselves, be creative and enjoy the pleasures of club culture. This means confronting the oppressive systems ingrained in our societies - such as but not limited to racism, sexism, antisemitism, homophobia, transphobia, queerphobia, ableism and classism - that shape who gets access to spaces, resources, and recognition under capitalism. While we've all been socialized under these systems, their violence disproportionately targets marginalized communities.
Dance music and club culture have emerged as an attempt to create safer spaces for people suffering from the above mentioned systems of oppression. This is especially true for racialised and queer people. We recognize that while no space is ever entirely free of existent power dynamics, we aim to foster safer environments that actively challenge gendered, racial, and sexual hierarchies. This includes centering the voices of racialised people, women, trans, and non-binary people, and addressing barriers of accessibility and participation. Our goal is to cultivate solidarity and respect, online and offline, through ongoing reflection and collective responsibility.
In addition to the above, we also believe in transborder solidarity. In times of war, occupation, and displacement (from Europe to the SWANA region and beyond), we hope WAVMAP can foster a community that transcends borders, celebrating what unites us over what divides us. Therefore, we want to give importance to voices from affected regions and support initiatives that align with our values.
All users of WAVMAP and participants of WAVMAP events of any kind shall accept the following code of conduct and contribute, according to their personal situation and capabilities, to a joyful and liberating electronic music scene for all. We acknowledge that we all still have to learn, but we believe in the transformative power of collective action and music.
If you have questions, critique or suggestions, please don't hesitate to reach out to our team via contact@wavmap.org.
002
Why we need Awareness
We live in a society in which unequal power relations are a reality. People have privileges or face discrimination on the basis of different characteristics. Discrimination can happen intentionally, but in most cases it happens unintentionally. Awareness is a concept that opposes all forms of discrimination, violence and boundary violations. We want to empower those affected and actively support in developing their own strategies for dealing with discrimination.
003
Respect and dignity
Whether it is during in-person or online events linked to WAVMAP, we have a responsibility towards each other to ensure that everyone has the best experience. We encourage all users and participants to treat everyone with respect, dignity and kindness. We don't tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment and abuse - whether verbal or physical. We want an atmosphere in which everyone is able to speak up and in which different levels of knowledge can be brought together productively. An approachable and attentive culture of discussion is a crucial basis for this. We advocate openness to a wide range of positions and tolerance for ambivalence, as well as the need for dialog - as long as this does not involve discrimination or crossing boundaries and is done in a respectful way.
004
Awareness of power structures
We want to encourage WAVMAP users and participants in our events and other activities to be aware of their position within a group and underlying power structures. Don't take too much space and give enough space to others, especially people from marginalised groups. This applies to physical space as well as space within a conversation. For example: Reflect on how your identity (e.g., gender, race, ability) might affect how much space you take in conversations or decision-making. We can only confront, change and dismantle power structures by working together. For us, this includes raising awareness of our own privileges and existing power structures, as well as the initiative, self-reflection and sensitization of each individual.
005
Consent
We want to create an environment where all interactions, especially physical ones or discussions of sensitive topics, are grounded in consent. Consent must always be explicit, enthusiastic, reversible, and ongoing: whether for physical touch (e.g., dancing), photography, or personal conversations. Only yes means yes, and a yes can always be withdrawn.
At the same time, we recognize that consent does not exist in a vacuum: power dynamics linked to gender, race and status can influence how consent is expressed and respected. This is why we see consent as a collective responsibility: not only about asking and listening, but also about looking out for one another, intervening if boundaries are crossed, and fostering a culture of care where marginalized people feel safe to set their limits.
006
Personal boundaries
Respecting each one's personal boundaries is fundamental to creating an environment where everyone feels respected. Whenever someone requests to respect their personal boundaries, it is important to do so. Please refrain from questioning other people's perceptions when it comes to their personal boundaries. Just because you perceive something differently, as less bad or not bad at all, it doesn't have to correspond to the perception and feelings of the other person.
007
Inclusive language
We want to encourage the use of inclusive language that doesn't make assumptions about others. The use of pronouns according to a person's wish creates an environment where they feel welcomed. If you are unsure which pronouns a person uses, do not simply assume a gender based on appearance, but ask about the pronouns or do not use any pronouns until you have learned them (e.g. only use the name of the person). Also, please do not use derogatory or discriminatory terms in any form.
008
Accessibility
We prioritize accessibility at events (e.g. ramps, quiet spaces). We try to make each event as accessible for everyone to the best of our ability and the individual needs of our participants. Unfortunately at the time we can't fully guarantee sufficient accessibility at every single one of our events, but we are committed to learning over time and are constantly reviewing and improving our events in this respect. Please don't hesitate to contact us in advance for needs at help@wavmap.org.
009
Reporting procedures
Whether it is during online or in-person events, please reach out to our team or any designated staff if you feel uncomfortable with a situation. In online-events please feel free to reach out to our team and/or moderator of the event via direct message. In the event of an incident, the person negatively affected by discrimination and/or the violation of their personal boundaries always decides what support is required. Together with our team, options for dealing with the incident are discussed and actions will be taken accordingly. Where possible, we provide a safe and quiet room to provide a place of retreat for affected persons. Posters will be displayed at the event explaining how to contact the relevant staff and will include contact details. Additionally you can report problematic situations after the event by writing to us at help@wavmap.org. Reporting is confidential. We commit to responding within 48 hours and involving affected parties in decisions where possible. Our team will also be available after an incident to provide emotional support to affected people and will refer them to further support services, where needed.
010
Consequences
In case of abuse, harassment, violence or discrimination against another person or group that occurs during an online or in-person event, depending on the gravity of the situation and in accordance with victim's demands, we will take consequences ranging from warnings to temporary or definite exclusion from an event, as well as from the WAVMAP platform. Incidents might be documented (anonymously) and used for prevention at future events.
011
Prioritization of safety of marginalised groups
Although we aim towards a club culture where everyone feels equally welcome, we acknowledge that this is not yet the case. We therefore want to collectively prioritize the safety of marginalised groups.
012
Active intervention
We as WAVMAP would like to openly address discrimination and the overstepping of personal boundaries and resolutely counter such behavior. There are people responsible for awareness during our events - but it is also necessary that we all take responsibility individually. As we believe in collective action and responsibility, we strongly encourage bystander intervention. If it is safe to do so, we encourage participants to intervene in a situation that appears to be one of harassment or discrimination. If you are unable to intervene for whatever reason, we encourage you to reach out to our team in these instances, also if you aren't affected yourself or if you are unsure, if a person is indeed in need of help or not. We call on everyone to be mindful and attentive when working together and ask everyone to pay attention to and respect their own and others' needs and boundaries. If support is required in communicating boundaries, our designated staff is also available for this.
ABOUT
WAVMAP is a digital platform for the independent electronic music scene. WAVMAP encourages DJs, producers, promoters, labels and curators from all over Europe to find like-minded individuals and collectives to exchange, co-create and collaborate. We see WAVMAP as a contribution to a better connected, more resilient underground scene, where artists and music transcend borders to nurture creativity, generate new opportunities and build solidarity.
WAVMAP empowers artists, activists and professionals to expand their networks, provides them with valuable insights into less-explored cities for live performances, and fosters cross-border co-creation beyond the major electronic music hubs. By doing so, WAVMAP not only helps bridge geographical gaps but also aims to support more inclusive, sustainable, and collaborative music practices across Europe.
FAQ
Want to tell us something ?
Electronic music and rave culture have always been tied to resistance—born from the creativity and need for liberation of marginalized communities (BiPOC, queer, and working-class artists) who pioneered genres like techno, house, footwork, and jungle. Yet today, many of these same groups face exclusion as cultural appropriation, corporate interests and, in some cases, fascist or reactionary ideologies infiltrate the scene.
For marginalized artists, knowing the political values of collaborators and venues isn't just practical—it's a matter of safety and survival. WAVMAP highlights these stances to help foster safer spaces and solidarity, ensuring the scene remains a place where its creators can thrive.
This isn't about sacrificing joy for politics; it's about recognizing that activism and celebration go hand in hand. The dance floor has always been political—we're just honoring that legacy.
WAVMAP is a project run by Commune de nuit, a non-profit based in Marseille (France). The initial platform development has been made possible thanks to a co-founding by the European Union via the LiveMX program. LiveMX aims at supporting music export and artists mobility within Europe.
Unlike platforms backed by investment funds or corporations, WAVMAP is and always will be independent and non-profit driven.
For now, everything on WAVMAP is free to use. In order to guarantee our independence and ensure long-term sustainability, we may introduce optional paid features in the future - fair and accessible to everyone. If you have ideas on fair pricing models or funding strategies, please reach out to us !
WAVMAP was made possible through co-funding of the European Union's Creative Europe program, so the initial list only includes countries participating in this program. This also allows us to adopt a more effective and high-quality communication and distribution strategy, since we can focus on a precise number of countries and their respective local scenes. However, in the future, we would like to add more countries to the list. If you would like to support this effort or have ideas for funding opportunities in your country or region, we'd love to hear your ideas !
There are many ways to support WAVMAP and help grow this community—here's how you can contribute:
Spread the word Share the platform with your local music community! The more people join, the stronger the network becomes, creating new opportunities for collaboration and exchange.
Host or co-organize an event WAVMAP is all about connecting people from the electronic music underground, creating moments of knowledge exchange and collective imagination. We would love to come to your city or support an event that you put up, so please drop us a message.
Support us financially Donations help keep WAVMAP independent and sustainable. If you'd like to contribute, you can do so here (link).
Have another idea? We're all ears—reach out and let's make it happen.
Our vision
With WAVMAP, we want to contribute to an electronic music scene where every person feels equally welcome and has the possibility to express themselves, be creative and enjoy the pleasures of club culture. This means confronting the oppressive systems ingrained in our societies - such as but not limited to racism, sexism, antisemitism, homophobia, transphobia, queerphobia, ableism and classism - that shape who gets access to spaces, resources, and recognition under capitalism. While we've all been socialized under these systems, their violence disproportionately targets marginalized communities.
Dance music and club culture have emerged as an attempt to create safer spaces for people suffering from the above mentioned systems of oppression. This is especially true for racialised and queer people. We recognize that while no space is ever entirely free of existent power dynamics, we aim to foster safer environments that actively challenge gendered, racial, and sexual hierarchies. This includes centering the voices of racialised people, women, trans, and non-binary people, and addressing barriers of accessibility and participation. Our goal is to cultivate solidarity and respect, online and offline, through ongoing reflection and collective responsibility.
In addition to the above, we also believe in transborder solidarity. In times of war, occupation, and displacement (from Europe to the SWANA region and beyond), we hope WAVMAP can foster a community that transcends borders, celebrating what unites us over what divides us. Therefore, we want to give importance to voices from affected regions and support initiatives that align with our values.
All users of WAVMAP and participants of WAVMAP events of any kind shall accept the following code of conduct and contribute, according to their personal situation and capabilities, to a joyful and liberating electronic music scene for all. We acknowledge that we all still have to learn, but we believe in the transformative power of collective action and music.
If you have questions, critique or suggestions, please don't hesitate to reach out to our team via contact@wavmap.org.
Why we need Awareness
We live in a society in which unequal power relations are a reality. People have privileges or face discrimination on the basis of different characteristics. Discrimination can happen intentionally, but in most cases it happens unintentionally. Awareness is a concept that opposes all forms of discrimination, violence and boundary violations. We want to empower those affected and actively support in developing their own strategies for dealing with discrimination.
Respect and dignity
Whether it is during in-person or online events linked to WAVMAP, we have a responsibility towards each other to ensure that everyone has the best experience. We encourage all users and participants to treat everyone with respect, dignity and kindness. We don't tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment and abuse - whether verbal or physical. We want an atmosphere in which everyone is able to speak up and in which different levels of knowledge can be brought together productively. An approachable and attentive culture of discussion is a crucial basis for this. We advocate openness to a wide range of positions and tolerance for ambivalence, as well as the need for dialog - as long as this does not involve discrimination or crossing boundaries and is done in a respectful way.
Awareness of power structures
We want to encourage WAVMAP users and participants in our events and other activities to be aware of their position within a group and underlying power structures. Don't take too much space and give enough space to others, especially people from marginalised groups. This applies to physical space as well as space within a conversation. For example: Reflect on how your identity (e.g., gender, race, ability) might affect how much space you take in conversations or decision-making. We can only confront, change and dismantle power structures by working together. For us, this includes raising awareness of our own privileges and existing power structures, as well as the initiative, self-reflection and sensitization of each individual.
Consent
We want to create an environment where all interactions, especially physical ones or discussions of sensitive topics, are grounded in consent. Consent must always be explicit, enthusiastic, reversible, and ongoing: whether for physical touch (e.g., dancing), photography, or personal conversations. Only yes means yes, and a yes can always be withdrawn.
At the same time, we recognize that consent does not exist in a vacuum: power dynamics linked to gender, race and status can influence how consent is expressed and respected. This is why we see consent as a collective responsibility: not only about asking and listening, but also about looking out for one another, intervening if boundaries are crossed, and fostering a culture of care where marginalized people feel safe to set their limits.
Personal boundaries
Respecting each one's personal boundaries is fundamental to creating an environment where everyone feels respected. Whenever someone requests to respect their personal boundaries, it is important to do so. Please refrain from questioning other people's perceptions when it comes to their personal boundaries. Just because you perceive something differently, as less bad or not bad at all, it doesn't have to correspond to the perception and feelings of the other person.
Inclusive language
We want to encourage the use of inclusive language that doesn't make assumptions about others. The use of pronouns according to a person's wish creates an environment where they feel welcomed. If you are unsure which pronouns a person uses, do not simply assume a gender based on appearance, but ask about the pronouns or do not use any pronouns until you have learned them (e.g. only use the name of the person). Also, please do not use derogatory or discriminatory terms in any form.
Accessibility
We prioritize accessibility at events (e.g. ramps, quiet spaces). We try to make each event as accessible for everyone to the best of our ability and the individual needs of our participants. Unfortunately at the time we can't fully guarantee sufficient accessibility at every single one of our events, but we are committed to learning over time and are constantly reviewing and improving our events in this respect. Please don't hesitate to contact us in advance for needs at help@wavmap.org.
Reporting procedures
Whether it is during online or in-person events, please reach out to our team or any designated staff if you feel uncomfortable with a situation. In online-events please feel free to reach out to our team and/or moderator of the event via direct message. In the event of an incident, the person negatively affected by discrimination and/or the violation of their personal boundaries always decides what support is required. Together with our team, options for dealing with the incident are discussed and actions will be taken accordingly. Where possible, we provide a safe and quiet room to provide a place of retreat for affected persons. Posters will be displayed at the event explaining how to contact the relevant staff and will include contact details. Additionally you can report problematic situations after the event by writing to us at help@wavmap.org. Reporting is confidential. We commit to responding within 48 hours and involving affected parties in decisions where possible. Our team will also be available after an incident to provide emotional support to affected people and will refer them to further support services, where needed.
Consequences
In case of abuse, harassment, violence or discrimination against another person or group that occurs during an online or in-person event, depending on the gravity of the situation and in accordance with victim's demands, we will take consequences ranging from warnings to temporary or definite exclusion from an event, as well as from the WAVMAP platform. Incidents might be documented (anonymously) and used for prevention at future events.
Prioritization of safety of marginalised groups
Although we aim towards a club culture where everyone feels equally welcome, we acknowledge that this is not yet the case. We therefore want to collectively prioritize the safety of marginalised groups.
Active intervention
We as WAVMAP would like to openly address discrimination and the overstepping of personal boundaries and resolutely counter such behavior. There are people responsible for awareness during our events - but it is also necessary that we all take responsibility individually. As we believe in collective action and responsibility, we strongly encourage bystander intervention. If it is safe to do so, we encourage participants to intervene in a situation that appears to be one of harassment or discrimination. If you are unable to intervene for whatever reason, we encourage you to reach out to our team in these instances, also if you aren't affected yourself or if you are unsure, if a person is indeed in need of help or not. We call on everyone to be mindful and attentive when working together and ask everyone to pay attention to and respect their own and others' needs and boundaries. If support is required in communicating boundaries, our designated staff is also available for this.
WAVMAP is a digital platform for the independent electronic music scene. WAVMAP encourages DJs, producers, promoters, labels and curators from all over Europe to find like-minded individuals and collectives to exchange, co-create and collaborate. We see WAVMAP as a contribution to a better connected, more resilient underground scene, where artists and music transcend borders to nurture creativity, generate new opportunities and build solidarity.
WAVMAP empowers artists, activists and professionals to expand their networks, provides them with valuable insights into less-explored cities for live performances, and fosters cross-border co-creation beyond the major electronic music hubs. By doing so, WAVMAP not only helps bridge geographical gaps but also aims to support more inclusive, sustainable, and collaborative music practices across Europe.
Want to tell us something ?
Electronic music and rave culture have always been tied to resistance—born from the creativity and need for liberation of marginalized communities (BiPOC, queer, and working-class artists) who pioneered genres like techno, house, footwork, and jungle. Yet today, many of these same groups face exclusion as cultural appropriation, corporate interests and, in some cases, fascist or reactionary ideologies infiltrate the scene.
For marginalized artists, knowing the political values of collaborators and venues isn't just practical—it's a matter of safety and survival. WAVMAP highlights these stances to help foster safer spaces and solidarity, ensuring the scene remains a place where its creators can thrive.
This isn't about sacrificing joy for politics; it's about recognizing that activism and celebration go hand in hand. The dance floor has always been political—we're just honoring that legacy.
WAVMAP is a project run by Commune de nuit, a non-profit based in Marseille (France). The initial platform development has been made possible thanks to a co-founding by the European Union via the LiveMX program. LiveMX aims at supporting music export and artists mobility within Europe.
Unlike platforms backed by investment funds or corporations, WAVMAP is and always will be independent and non-profit driven.
For now, everything on WAVMAP is free to use. In order to guarantee our independence and ensure long-term sustainability, we may introduce optional paid features in the future - fair and accessible to everyone. If you have ideas on fair pricing models or funding strategies, please reach out to us !
WAVMAP was made possible through co-funding of the European Union's Creative Europe program, so the initial list only includes countries participating in this program. This also allows us to adopt a more effective and high-quality communication and distribution strategy, since we can focus on a precise number of countries and their respective local scenes. However, in the future, we would like to add more countries to the list. If you would like to support this effort or have ideas for funding opportunities in your country or region, we'd love to hear your ideas !
There are many ways to support WAVMAP and help grow this community—here's how you can contribute:
Spread the word Share the platform with your local music community! The more people join, the stronger the network becomes, creating new opportunities for collaboration and exchange.
Host or co-organize an event WAVMAP is all about connecting people from the electronic music underground, creating moments of knowledge exchange and collective imagination. We would love to come to your city or support an event that you put up, so please drop us a message.
Support us financially Donations help keep WAVMAP independent and sustainable. If you'd like to contribute, you can do so here (link).
Have another idea? We're all ears—reach out and let's make it happen.