IMPALA

ongoing

IMPALA is the European association of independent music companies, formed in 2000 and representing over 6,000 music SMEs and self-releasing artists across 32 European markets. We are a non-profit organisation with a mix of non-profit (associations) and for-profit members (companies). Independent music production represents an essential segment of the music value chain, which itself is an important part of the EU’s cultural and creative industries, one of the EU’s 14 key industrial ecosystems. Independents account for over 80% of music releases and investment in new music, contributing significantly to Europe’s musical diversity, as well as to jobs, growth, soft power and people’s wellbeing. IMPALA operates as a highly representative and membership-based trade body and policy network working across the EU and beyond. Our overall mission is to grow the independent music sector sustainably, return more value to artists, promote diversity and entrepreneurship, improve political access, inspire change and increase access to finance. Our EDI and sustainability priorities cut across our work, in line with the EU’s gender equality strategy and Green Deal. With this project, we aim to scale up our work as the network representing Europe’s independent music sector, in line with this call’s priorities and the overall EU priorities for culture as set out in the EU Work Plan for Culture and the New Agenda for Culture. Our project will: -Empower independents and their artist partners while boosting their competitiveness and revenues. -Expand the European network of independent music companies and build capacity through new associations. -Support the development of the international network and promote European music globally. -Lead our sector’s transition to becoming climate neutral and digital. -Support true diversity in our sector through new tools. -Showcase artists’ and labels’ work. -Build synergies with other music projects and organisations.