Amsterdam Alternative

The origin
Since the squatting ban of 2010, Amsterdam’s alternative scene has dwindled considerably. This was not only because few if any new premises were squatted for a long time but also because many existing squats and autonomous spaces were vacated. Trampled by wealthy entrepreneurs, foreign investors and a municipal policy aimed at gentrification. Amsterdam Alternative is a response to the demise of adventurous, open-minded, tolerant, progressive Amsterdam. A resounding voice of dissent. A united fist with which we develop collective strength to pound the table so hard that the champagne glasses fall off and make way for the glasses and bottles of those with less capital. And especially for those who want to organise differently. In a more equitable, democratic, and fair manner.

Amsterdam Alternative emerged in the spring of 2015 as a collective of collectives. I myself, as a representative of OT301, met with representatives of other autonomous spaces in the OCCII; it seemed like a good idea to touch base regularly. Not just for socialising, but also to help each other by sharing knowledge and experiences. Those initial meetings were mainly to establish a new, solidarity-based network. To connect the remaining autonomous spaces in Amsterdam and help each other if necessary.
After a few meetings, the idea of creating something together arose. A joint project to strengthen the voice of the underground in the city, and to show that the underground may have shrunk, but it is far from dead. That joint project became the free newspaper Amsterdam Alternative. After a modest crowdfunding campaign through Voordekunst, the first edition was printed in July 2015 in an edition of 10,000 copies and distributed for free throughout the city. At that time, there were 9 autonomous spaces involved in the project: ADM, Cinetol, De Ruimte, Fort van Sjakoo, OCCII, OT301, Plantage Dok, Ruigoord and the Vondelbunker. Now, 8.5 years later in January 2024, there are 34 autonomous spaces affiliated with Amsterdam Alternative. From this, one could perhaps conclude that Amsterdam Alternative is a success, as growth usually equates to success in our society. However, let's first examine how Amsterdam Alternative has developed in those 8.5 years before drawing the conclusion of success.

Ultimately, it is more important to share the same values and intentions than to have the same background.

The newspaper
Since the publication of edition #001 in 2015, we have made a newspaper every two months. At the time of writing, edition #052 has just come off the presses. Even during the COVID-19 period, we continued to produce the newspaper as usual. However, because we had no way to distribute them during the lockdowns, several editions were only released in digital form. When we were allowed back on the streets in early 2021, we printed two editions in very high circulation (30,000 + 50,000 copies). Instead of distributing them through music venues, schools, restaurants, libraries, community centres, and stores – as we usually do –, we simply went door to door. Unsolicited, we put them in the letterbox of everyone we walked or cycled past. It was quite a task that many volunteers helped out with. It was also a great experiment because this way, we reached many new readers.
Initially, the main goal of the newspaper was to generate more visibility for Amsterdam's autonomous spaces. We did this by publishing interviews, stories, essays and photography from or related to the autonomous spaces and the people who lived, worked, performed or exhibited there. Besides those stories, we would use the newspaper for the collective promotion of concerts, performances, exhibitions, discussions, film screenings, and other public activities in the autonomous spaces. 'Better to have a joint newspaper than everyone distributing separate flyers and posters,' was the thought. That saves a lot of money and time. An additional advantage was that visitors of, for example, the OT301 also got to know the programme of the OCCII and the Vondelbunker. So, instead of seeing each other as competitors, we worked together to reach more people and introduce them to Amsterdam’s wonderful, non-commercial, alternative venues.
Our newspaper has grown considerably over the past 8.5 years. Not necessarily in terms of circulation, but mainly in quality and diversity. There are more writers and editors, and topics are no longer solely focused on Amsterdam's autonomous spaces. We also offer space for other individuals and organisations that align with our principles and core values. These are people who, like us, are committed to a better, healthier, and fairer world for all. The topics are varied: free space, housing, climate, arts & culture, activism, inclusion, politics, autonomy, media, economy, technology, squatting, and of course, collective ownership.
There has been some criticism from people who felt we were becoming too broad in terms of our content. That we should continue to focus on squatting and autonomous spaces. I can understand that perspective, because that is where we came from. Still, I am glad that we kept our focus open and dared to change. To grow organically and organise organically. To dare to think broadly. Because by being open to other organisations and people with different perspectives and/or backgrounds, we have made our collective stronger and broader. Ultimately, it is more important to share the same values and intentions than to have the same background.

A good education, a good job, a nice car, regular holidays, and a beautiful house are nice. But if the big picture is not right, that individual status holds little value.

Volunteers
Of course, there was no guarantee that the newspaper would be a success and that we would be able to sustain it for so long. That is quite an achievement, and one I am personally very proud of. It is important to note that Amsterdam Alternative is entirely based on volunteers. All newspapers and activities we organise are devised, created, and managed by people who do so on a voluntary basis. We received a grant from Stichting Doen in 2019 for the start of our Vrij Beton project. For this web documentary on collective ownership, we received grants from the AFK and the Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie. So, only for these projects, we had the opportunity to pay people some money. It is nice, of course, if you can pay people for their time and effort, but I also find it remarkable to see that many people are willing to volunteer for a project they believe in. I myself have spent an awful lot of volunteer hours setting up, coordinating, designing and writing for Amsterdam Alternative. I very much enjoyed doing this and I will continue to do so. Not only because I find our newspaper so special and important, but especially because of the collective aspect of Amsterdam Alternative. New people are joining all the time. Interesting, kind, inspiring people who want to contribute something or come up with good ideas to improve or supplement something. People who do so because they have read the newspaper or attended an event, and are keen to commit to what we do and what we stand for. This is not just because they are looking for like-minded people, but mainly because many people would like to contribute something to positive change.
It is evident that we live in a world where things are going wrong. We go from crisis to crisis because our society is mainly focused on growth, consumption, making profits, and ensuring that you as an individual are getting by. Amsterdam Alternative advocates for changing this dead-end narrative. We need to break free from the idea that you are a successful person if you are individually well off. A good education, a good job, a nice car, regular holidays, and a beautiful house are nice. But if the big picture is not right, that individual status holds little value. Success is only truly success when it is shared widely. And that is why it is important for people to join organisations like Amsterdam Alternative. Volunteering with others out of passion and motivation gives much more satisfaction than working hard for a boss and a loaded bank account. Burnouts, stress, depression and many other physical and mental complaints are usually caused by the pressures of the system. Unnecessary pressure, because we could make it much better, calmer, healthier and more enjoyable if we organised things differently.

Various activities
After a few years, it was decided not only to produce a newspaper but also to organise events. Writing and publishing are fun and valuable, but they are also one-way traffic. We actually preferred to both send and receive. To write and talk. To meet each other. Engage in dialogue and learn from one another. That is why in 2018, we decided to organise AA Talks (discussion evenings). This was followed by the AA Reading Group, AADE (music events), the AA Academy, and live Basta! podcast sessions. New projects were added all the time, set up by different people within the collective, supplemented by volunteers who were interested and willing to dedicate their time. Nearly all of these activities are still ongoing. Since we acquired the cinema and bar in the OT301, the number of activities has increased enormously. We have been using these spaces on the second floor since February 2022, and they have been renamed Ventilator Cinema/Bar. Since then, various programmes of film, documentary, debate, music, theatre, improvisation, the AA Academy, live podcast recordings, workshops, brainstorms and other small-scale activities have been taking place weekly.
Since we have been running the Ventilator Cinema, we have our own space in the city for the first time. Having our own physical space with a public function brings new and different responsibilities, but above all, it offers many new opportunities. Setting up such a project takes a lot of time and energy but also leads to growth. A physical space with weekly programming means more visibility and more people getting acquainted with Amsterdam Alternative. It has made our collective more tangible and easily accessible. Moreover, it provides people who do not necessarily write or photograph themselves with an opportunity to help with AA activities. Each new activity is a new step and a new development in the organic project that Amsterdam Alternative has become.

Together, you decide how you want to do it, what you as a collective deem important, and how often you want to meet. Rules are not set in stone, and you can arrange things as you see fit.

Organisational structure
Over the years, OT301 has transitioned from squatting to a user agreement (rental) and then to ownership. An intense but beautiful history. It was essential that we bought the building from the municipality in 2006 and converted it into collective ownership. Otherwise, like many other wonderful initiatives, we would have long since been evicted; 2500 m² at the Vondelpark is, of course, worth a fortune in the real estate paradise of Amsterdam.
Because we bought the property, and are therefore responsible for maintenance, permits, operation and so on ourselves, we have had to adjust the organisational structure of the collective over time. While collective ownership is fantastic, it is not a happy-go-lucky free ride. Collective ownership brings new responsibilities, which means you have to organise yourselves well. In the OT301, we have therefore established a structure with a board, various committees, and a big General Assembly that takes place approximately six times a year to collectively make important decisions. Nobody is thrilled to have so many meetings, but practice shows that these meetings are important to keep everyone informed and involved in the organisation. The more active members there are, the better it goes.

For Amsterdam Alternative, we wanted things to be different. Particularly having fewer meetings, because although discussion is important, it can also drain the energy and spirit. Of course, it is quite a difference if you own a building and have to maintain it, or if you are making a newspaper and organising activities. Nevertheless, I find it very interesting to experiment with how to organize a collective. That is also one of the nice aspects of this web documentary. It shows that there are countless ways to organise a collective. Together, you decide how you want to do it, what you as a collective deem important, and how often you want to meet. Rules are not set in stone, and you can arrange things as you see fit.

Very important in a collective project is a horizontal, non-hierarchical character. So, no boss telling others what to do. Rather, an open structure based on trust and shared responsibility. Obviously, someone – a board, coordinator or committee – has to keep an eye on the big picture, safeguard the mission, monitor finances and coordinate activities. But beyond that, you want to give as much space as possible for personal initiative. The opportunity to develop activities together with others from one's own ideas, carry them out, and take responsibility for them.
Experimenting with an organic organisational structure also means that occasionally things will fail. This is part of the process and not a bad thing at all, as long as you are aware of what is happening and what impact it has on the collective. It is even questionable whether you should even speak of 'failure'. Not achieving a certain objective or not meeting an expectation may be a setback, but that does not mean something has failed. An event that was attended by three people when there were 50 spots available will be judged by many as a failed event. Not making a profit, not being profitable and not growing are usually not seen as a success.
Amsterdam Alternative is a non-profit organisation. We obviously need to generate income to pay the rent of the cinema, print the newspaper and keep the website online. However, we are not focused on making as much profit as possible. Not having that financial drive allows us to measure success in a different way. Then, an event with only three attendees can suddenly be a very successful event. Perhaps those three people had a very fruitful discussion, and new ideas were born or new friendships formed.

The challenge of a large and growing collective lies in ensuring that somehow everyone continues to be on the same page. This does not mean that there is no room for discussion and disagreement, but mainly that the intentions and core values are clear, and everyone stands behind them. So far, Amsterdam Alternative works very well in this somewhat fluid, organic construction. However, I can imagine that in the future, we might need to change and introduce more structure. Especially if we manage to create new autonomous spaces in collective ownership by Amsterdam Alternative with our Vrij Beton project. But even that is not a problem. Change is par for the course. Adjusting, learning new things, reinventing yourself, recovering, starting anew, listening to each other. It is all part of living together and being a collective.

Collective ownership
One of the topics that Amsterdam Alternative pays a lot of attention to is collective ownership. I myself became interested in the subject since we, as a collective, bought the OT301 from the municipality of Amsterdam in 2006. Since then, I have been fascinated by the idea that you can own a place (or something else) as a collective, and that this structure is arranged in such a way that there is no possibility at the individual level to sell it and make a profit. With collective ownership, you neutralise ownership and use the place to do what you as a group want to do there (as with the OT301). So, you are not concerned with the notion that the building is an investment that will make you rich down the line. It is not a personal pension but rather an investment in the future. Your own and also that of others and future generations. In my opinion, fundamental things such as housing, healthcare, education, communication, energy, food production and public transportation should largely be organised in a collective manner. Separate from the market, which is solely focused on maximising profits. Ensuring quality that is accessible and affordable for all.

In 2019, the idea was born for Vrij Beton, a new project by Amsterdam Alternative to create new autonomous spaces in Amsterdam under collective ownership. New free space, similar to the OT301, OCCII, Zaal100 or Plantage Dok, but different. Each autonomous space defines itself based on the desires and dreams of the collective living and/or working in the autonomous space.
We are convinced that autonomous spaces are of enormous value to the city. Not only do they provide affordable places for artists and other creatives, but they also usually accommodate social and community organisations and other non-commercial projects that have nowhere else to go due to limited financial resources. Most autonomous spaces also have a stage for music, theatre, film, and other forms of art, thereby contributing to the (sub)cultural landscape and the cultural development of the city.

Amsterdam Alternative is a broad, diverse, and collective project dedicated to a desirable future for all.

Profit other than financial profit
The great thing about Amsterdam Alternative is its free, experimental, active character. A lot of things are going on, and anything can happen, and the more people join, the more we can achieve. Some call it a school of life, others a testing ground or even an activist movement. I find it difficult to define Amsterdam Alternative. We are all the things I just mentioned and much more. At its core, Amsterdam Alternative is a broad, diverse, and collective project dedicated to a desirable future for all. We do this in many different ways. We use our newspaper, music, art, debate, demonstrations, and other collective activities to address issues and get things done. But above all, to have fun and meet each other, without it necessarily costing a lot of money. We try to connect, but above all, to inspire. In our view, there is so much else and beauty possible than what is presented and foisted on us by the profit-oriented mantra we live in. A healthy, enjoyable life is really not about making as much profit as possible. There is more to life than working hard for expensive things and luxury holidays. Collective projects like Amsterdam Alternative show that together, you can achieve a lot. And that being together and organising together gives much more satisfaction than just sitting at home with your expensive stuff. Being part of a community, that's what truly holds value!

No business plan necessary
With the disappearance of many autonomous spaces, the (sub)cultural offerings for those with smaller budgets have significantly diminished. The city is unfortunately becoming more and more for the happy few with lots of money. The balance is lost. Because of the squatting ban and a lack of space, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a place to set up something new. These days, you have to have a business plan, a marketing strategy, or an investor, or present yourself as a hip start-up to borrow money and set something up somewhere. If you succeed, your project or venture must immediately start making serious money. If you cannot afford the high costs, you 'fail' and quickly go under. There is no room for risk and experimentation in a city ruled by money. At least, that is how people make it seem. But as far as we are concerned, there are still possibilities. There are always possibilities. Even if you have no money. As long as you have a good idea and a motivated collective. You just have to start small, and if it fails once, it is not a big deal because then you regroup and start over. You will see that when you work collectively on a non-commercial project, people will come to help from the most unexpected corners because they are happy with what you are doing. That's also how it went with Amsterdam Alternative. We just started. No business plan, no big ambitions, and no investors. Just get started with a group of volunteers, and do what you love and believe in.

Financial
The fact that many things cost money is a given. Nowadays, you have to pay for almost everything, and prices sometimes rise before your very eyes. Life is expensive, and for many, it is becoming increasingly difficult because our system is set up in such a way that almost everything is a market, where prices are determined by supply and demand. On the one hand, you could say that perhaps we should all want and do a lot less, because then you need less money. On the other hand, you also wish for a government that ensures that important things remain accessible and affordable for everyone. Unfortunately, our governments have allowed just about every sector to be privatised and we as a democracy have surrendered much of our say to the market. A sad development that is currently causing many things to badly deteriorate for both humans and nature and all non-human life.

Amsterdam Alternative also needs money to print the newspaper and pay rent. However, maximising profit is not a driving force. Our newspaper is free, and our events are free or with the lowest possible entrance fee. We try to be accessible and inclusive to as many people as possible. To generate income – without inconveniencing many people or it being at the expense of something or someone – we always try to look at what we, as a collective and as affiliated autonomous spaces, need. The newspaper naturally offers the opportunity to sell advertisements, so we do that from time to time. But only to small-scale businesses or projects. Commercial multinationals are not allowed to advertise with us. We do not place advertisements on our website at all. The newspaper also offers the opportunity to sell subscriptions. Despite being free of charge, there are fortunately people who take out a donation subscription, pay some money annually, and get the newspaper delivered to their homes.
Most participating autonomous spaces, such as Filmhuis Cavia, Cinetol, OT301, De Fabriek, De Ruimte and Helicopter, contribute financially through a monthly or annual membership fee. The amount can be determined at one's discretion. Not everyone has equal resources, so you contribute what you can. Additionally, we have brewed a Vrij Beton beer with the Friekens Brewery in Noord, which is sold in some of the participating autonomous spaces. Here, €0.25 of each bottle sold goes to Amsterdam Alternative. Last but not least, we've developed our own ticket system to pre-sell tickets for concerts, film nights, etc. An additional €0.60 administration fee is paid per ticket sold. Of this amount, €0.31 goes to Mollie for transaction costs, and €0.29 goes to Amsterdam Alternative. These are small amounts, but if a lot of places use that system and we sell many tickets, it adds up nicely. This way, we always try to look at what we need and what we can develop ourselves. This means less money goes to external, commercial companies, and we finance our own projects.

Success
Whether Amsterdam Alternative should be considered a success, everyone can determine for themselves. As far as I am concerned, it does not matter. I am proud of what we have been doing for over 8.5 years with great pleasure and enthusiasm. Proud of the newspaper we produce every two months. Proud of all the events we organise. Proud of the growth of the collective, and proud of this web documentary that we have worked hard on with many people over the past 1.5 years. From a financial point of view, I am not sure if you can call Amsterdam Alternative successful since there is generally not much more money than what is strictly needed. We always have just enough to get by. So, it is certainly not a profitable business.
Success is relative, so don't let yourself be guided by what others think success is. You decide for yourself what you consider good and enjoyable.
The success of Amsterdam Alternative and the autonomous spaces of Amsterdam lies in many small things. These are interpersonal relationships, freedoms, opportunities, encounters and joint projects. Many elements that cannot be quantified in monetary terms, but which hold significant importance for fostering a pleasant, healthy and meaningful existence.

Amsterdam Alternative 
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English translation by Fairlingo