Barrio Survey Results

The Big Picture

“Mixed” barrios are those where different members gave different answers within the same barrio. In an optimistic reading, mixed barrios count as YES; in a pessimistic reading, they count as DON’T KNOW.

People Breakdown (estimated)

An additional ~225 people are in 5 uncertain barrios where only a single member responded and no lead was identified.

Barrio Breakdown

25 Definite YES Barrios (~942 people)

All confirmed by leads. Strong base of committed camps across a wide range of sizes.

8 Mixed Barrios (~340 people)

11 Don’t Know + 1 No (~423 people)

Why Barrios are Undecided

1. Lead Shortage / Burnout

Affected barrios include MoonCows, Le Gratin, Wonderever, IAGA, Curious Creatures, and Costume Camp. Common theme: difficulty finding people to step up and take on leadership roles.

2. Event Uncertainty (Self-Fulfilling Cycle)

Barrios such as Why Not?, Costume Camp, Oasis Playground, Chuchichaschtli, and Come & Play reported that uncertainty about whether the event will happen is itself making it harder to commit. As one respondent put it: “Uncertainty made it easier for fence-sitters to say no.”

3. Fatigue / Break Year Desire

Some members of Sheepy Ship, Curious Creatures, and Chuchichaschtli expressed a desire for a break year. One respondent noted this was “unrelated to association changes.”

4. Logistics / Infrastructure

Practical barriers for specific camps: Kosmozoo lost their tent (~€6,000 replacement; electricity dependent on Übertown), Dust & Glow (broken van), Dusty Dreamers (need 10+ people to be viable). Übertown’s lead expressed strong reservations about event viability but noted: “We don’t want to leave you without a power grid; so we will try to make that happen in the very least.”

5. People Going to Other Events

Some core members are being drawn to other events (WTSS, Borderlands, Burning Man), reducing the pool of available participants.

Community Voices: The Skip Year Debate

Against Skipping

“Skipping a year will lose a lot of participants. Keeping our annual pilgrimage to the desert a ‘habit’ gives most stability.”

— Here & Meow

“If this happens, I’d like it to be 100%. When Nowhere was cancelled due to COVID it was a lot of wasted work.”

— sssh

“No way of changing our minds... we are going Nowhere yes o yes!!!”

For Skipping / Caution

“Long term viability is paramount. A skip year can hurt short term, but long term can be healthy. Combined with new land in 2027, it could be THE revival of Nowhere.”

— Curious Creatures

“Don’t risk burning people too hard. Regrouping and coming back next year with more energy and fresh land is also an option.”

— Oasis Playground

“It seems crazy to take such a bold and risky attempt to run an event especially when we are just on the precipice of being able to do so much more cheaply on our own land. I’d urge that the implications for the event as a whole if it has to cancel any time between now and gate opening are taken fully into consideration. [...] The longevity of the event is orders of magnitude more important than making sure it doesn’t skip a year.”

— Übertown

“We would love to come for build on the new land and make Nowhere 2027 whether Nowhere 2026 happens or not.”

— Come & Play

Questions from the Community

Questions Needing Answers

• “What’s holding us back? This was never transparently communicated.”
• “Will there be power on site?”
• “What’s the plan for electricity if Übertown doesn’t attend?”
• “How will container fees change?”
• “Are there gonna be low-income tickets?”
• “What financial commitments (deposits on infrastructure, permits) is the organisation committed to, and what are the implications if the event needs to cancel?”
• “Updated barrio guide with expectations and requirements?”

Decision Deadlines from Barrios

“People need to take time off and are afraid to get stuck with holidays that don’t fit any other burn dates.”

— Glitch

Key Takeaways

1. The solid base is strong. 25 barrios (~942 people) are unambiguously YES. Only 1 said NO.
2. The swing group is persuadable. 8 mixed barrios (~340 people) mostly need event certainty and clear communications.
3. Biggest risk: self-fulfilling prophecy. Uncertainty causes people to commit elsewhere, which increases uncertainty. Multiple respondents explicitly flagged this dynamic.
4. Key infrastructure dependencies. Übertown (~65 people), which provides the power grid for multiple camps, has not yet committed as a barrio but has indicated willingness to help with power infrastructure regardless.
5. The community loves the event. Strong expressions of gratitude and support from many respondents. Even undecided camps are rooting for the event to happen.