about us

The RE[act] Festival

The Linen Quarter BID is an independent not for profit company which focuses on delivering place-making initiatives and business benefits across our District.

We believe in a hopeful future and the RE[act] Festival provides a forum to consider the essential changes we all need to make.

Following the success of the RE[act] Festival for a Sustainable Belfast 2024, we are organising a Mini RE[act] Festival Building Resilience Together with a focused theme on “Capacity Building” aligned with the key priorities of COP30.

This year, our mission is to equip individuals, communities, and organisations with the skills, tools, technology, and networks needed to lead the transition toward a just and sustainable future for Belfast.

The festival will be held from 10-14 November 2025 in the Europa Hotel and Queens University Belfast. We aim to host free interactive activities including workshops, trainings, lunch + learn and storytelling sessions. 

We hope this festival will inspire you to RE[act]. 

2025 SPEAKERS

An inspirational line up of changemakers

Voices

Debbie Caldwell

Belfast Climate Commissioner

Voices

Sara Lynch

Head of Sustainability

Voices

Dr. Jonny Hanson

Environmental Social Scientist
Voices

Jane Corderoy

Director of Climate Change Legislation
Voices

Louise Cullen

Agriculture and Environment Correspondent

Meet all Voices

Linen Quarter Business Improvement District

The Linen Quarter Business Improvement District (LQ BID) was democratically elected in 2018 to represent the area between Belfast City Hall and Shaftesbury Square. We are independent of government but regulated by statute to deliver improvements across our district on a not-for-profit basis. We have currently delivered 30 projects in the area, that have supported a safer, cleaner and better promoted district. However, our highest priority is the work we have pioneered to help create a more sustainable city. 

We are currently rolling out our programme for a more sustainable district across the Linen Quarter. We have developed ten projects that local organisations can buy into at low or no cost. These include: 

  1. An annual sustainable survey, to measure progress on our journey 
  2. A green energy scheme for all organisations, in partnership with Power NI 
  3. Sustainable waste management, in partnership with River Ridge 
  4. Climate Awareness Training, in partnership with Business in the Community 
  5. Delivery of regeneration projects, including improved green and social space, in partnership with the City Council, DfC and DFI.  
  6. Promotion of sustainable buildings, including our Bedford House Case Study in partnership with Ulster Estates and Dark Matter Labs 
  7. Greater advocacy for sustainable and active travel 
  8. Cyclist support packages, and employer’s accreditation, with Cycling UK 
  9. Creation of a new sustainable tourism product – the Golden Mile Walking Trail 
  10. Thought leadership, principally via RE[act] the festival for a sustainable Belfast, in partnership with Belfast City Council (Resilience Commissioner), NILGA and COP26.