Music sector united: Calling for a stronger budget and a sectoral strategy in AgoraEU

23 EU-level organisations from across Europe's music sector have united to call for a stronger budget and sectoral strategy for the AgoraEU programme.

Building on the statement of September 2025, the signatories welcomes the European Commission’s proposal for AgoraEU but insist that the proposed budget must be viewed as an absolute minimum. To fulfill the Commission’s Culture Compass ambition, "to ensure culture is central to European unity, diversity and excellence", a more significant financial commitment is required.

The European music sector is facing numerous concrete challenges, including barriers to cross-border mobility to European talent, market concentration and a lack of transparency in streaming algorithms, as well as the risks posed by Generative AI for creator's rights. AgoraEU should play an important role in helping the European music sector to address these challenges. Sector specific support for music would contribute to increasing the competitiveness, diversity and sustainability of Europe’s music sector, in line with the general objectives of AgoraEU.

In line with the EU’s ambition to enhance the competitiveness and innovation potential of the music sector, the coalition calls for the inclusion of the following measures in the AgoraEU regulation:

1. Secure minimum earmarked funding: Guarantee a budget specifically for music in the AgoraEU regulation.
2. Restore sectoral action in AgoraEU: Formally reintroduce dedicated measures for the music sector.
3. Structured dialogue: Establish a permanent communication channel between the European Commission and the sector.
4. Data-Driven support: Fund sector-specific studies and data collection to monitor industry trends, supported by a European Music Observatory or equivalent monitoring body.

Read the full statement here.

Signatories

AEC - Association of European Conservatoires
AEPO-ARTIS - Association of European Performers' Organisations
Center for Music Ecosystems
ECSA - European Composer and Songwriter Alliance
EJN - Europe Jazz Network
EMEE - European Music Exporters Exchange
EMMA - European Music Managers Alliance
ESNS - Eurosonic Noorderslag
Europavox
European Soundmakers
European Talent Exchange
FIM - International Federation of Musicians
GESAC - European Grouping of Societies of Authors and Composers
IAO - International Artist Organisation
IMPALA - Independent Music Companies Association
IMPF - The global trade body for independent music publishers
Live DMA
Liveurope
MCN - Music Cities Network
MTE - Music Tech Europe
REMA - European Network for Early Music
Reset!
YOUROPE