20 music organizations EU music sector

Photo Credit: Hudson Hintze

IMPF and 20 other organizations across Europe’s music industry call for a comprehensive policy strategy and an ambitious budget within AgoraEU.

On the heels of the European Commission’s proposal to establish AgoraEU—a mega-funding program for “culture, media, and civil society,” with a proposed budget of over $10 billion (€8.5 billion)—20-plus music organizations across Europe call for a comprehensive policy strategy for the music sector within the AgoraEU framework.

“The signatories urge EU policy-makers to ensure that music is not only funded but strategically supported in the next EU budget, turning political intent into tangible impact and giving European music the visibility, investment, and policy recognition it deserves,” reads a statement from IMPF to Digital Music News.

“At a time when artistic freedom, fair working conditions, and cultural diversity are under increasing pressure, ambitious funding must be matched with strategic, sector-specific policy action,” the letter reads. “We welcome the inclusion of these issues as priorities in the proposal and believe they should remain central to the program moving forward.”

“Despite its reach and impact, music remains underrepresented in EU cultural policy. We regret that, unlike in the previous framework, the current proposal contains neither an explicit reference to music nor dedicated measures or follow-up to the Music Moves Europe (MME) initiative.”

“The increased budget now offers a unique opportunity to build a music sector-specific approach based on existing evidence, momentum, and political will,” the letter continues. “EU Culture Ministers advocate for such ‘sector tailored EU incentives,’ and the European Parliament has called for a European industrial strategy for music. AgoraEU must be the framework to deliver it.”

“At the crossroads of social, economic, and cultural policies, music remains at the very core of what Europeans value and experience together nowadays. It fosters inclusion, strengthens democratic values, and enhances Europe’s global cultural presence and international collaboration,” they explain.

“AgoraEU must deliver not only funding but also a coherent policy strategy that reflects music’s economic, social, and cultural importance.”

This, they say, should include dedicated calls and programs tailored to music’s specific needs; a European Music Observatory to support evidence-based policymaking; and ethical and fair principles guiding digital transformation and AI adoption.

Signatories include the IMPF (Independent Music Publishers Forum), AEC (Association of European Conservatoires), EMMA (European Music Managers Alliance), IMPALA (Independent Music Companies Association), Liveurope, YOUROPE, REMA (European Network for Early Music), and many more.