European Music Council

EU Legislative Interests

The EMC closely follows the EU cultural policy - especially the Culture Compass, the Multiannual Financial Framework, in particular AgoraEU, Erasmus+, the European Competitiveness Fund and Horizon Europe, Global Europe and others as well as, the Council Work Plan for Culture, the ongoing Creative Europe programme, the Music Moves Europe initiative, the Copyright Directive, reports on the Status and Working Conditions of Artists and Cultural and Creative Professionals, AI, the New European Bauhaus, and the Framework Action on Cultural Heritage . The EMC actively participates in the Expert Group on Cultural Heritage. The main policy initiative is the European Agenda for Music (EAM), launched in 2018. The European Agenda for Music was developed out of a continent-wide consultation launched by the European Music Council (EMC). Reaching out to the entire music sector, it identifies the sector’s collective needs and sets out priorities for the future. A powerful confirmation of the European music sector’s desire to join together in the promotion of a common cause, the Agenda details which directions to pursue in order to ensure a music sector that remains strong, fair, innovative and diverse in a rapidly changing world. The European Commission has expressed a desire for there to be more cooperation between the various cultural disciplines, however it is important that the specifics and needs of each individual sector be highlighted, which can be done with the Agenda. Should the European Union or national governments want to make decisions concerning music in the future, the Agenda will provide them with a thorough document (and a united sector) to which they can refer.

Communication Activities

The European Music Council receives network funding through the Creative Europe programme of the European Union. It's main policy initiative is the European Agenda for Music, launched in 2018. The aim in developing a European Agenda for Music (EAM) is to bring together the diverse voices of the European music sector to determine a common vision and strategy for the future. The basis of the EMC's work is rooted in the IMC's Five Music Rights. The European Music Council has worked intensely to consult and hear from as many voices as possible, across Europe and across the music sector - and continues to do so. In the European music sector, we have many different viewpoints and interests, but we share one common goal: a thriving music sector that continues to play an essential role in the European landscape. The European Agenda on Music will bring together the music sector, allowing it to join voices. It will be a platform for collaboration and exchange. Initiated by the European Music Council, coordination will remain with the EMC, however the Agenda itself is a document owned by everyone involved. In February 2024, the EMC jointly organised an event in the European Parliament with the Cultural Creators Friendship Group (CCFG) and the New European Bauhaus Friendship Group (NEBFG) on the role of music in the New European Bauhaus. The European Agenda for Music was developed out of a continent-wide consultation launched by the European Music Council (EMC). Reaching out to the entire music sector, it identifies the sector’s collective needs and sets out priorities for the future. A powerful confirmation of the European music sector’s desire to join together in the promotion of a common cause, the Agenda details which directions to pursue in order to ensure a music sector that remains strong, fair, innovative and diverse in a rapidly changing world. Every year, the European Music Council organises the European Forum on Music bringing together stakeholders from the music sector in Europe and beyond to exchange, network and discuss the latest developments in cultural and music policy and for the music sector in general. The EMC is a cooperation partner in GreenBeat Nexus, an innovative funding scheme for the green transition in the music sector. It was funded by the Music Moves Europe initiative of Creative Europe. The coordinator is Inova+ (PT) with additional cooperation partners On The Move, The Green Room and KEA European Affairs. The EMC is also a partner in the project Music4Change (funded by Erasmus+) coordinated by the University of Bergen (NO). In the last years, the EMC was active in other projects, for example as project coordinator for the Erasmus+ funded project "SHIFT Culture - Shared Initiatives for Training" providing training offers for cultural leaders, working together and creating paths to face global challenges such as climate change, gender equality and inclusion of minorities based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and as partner organisation in "Creative "Shift" (Pilot Action of DG CNCT). As an outcome of SHIFT, the EMC together with other European cultural networks has co-developed an eco-certificate for European cultural networks in line with the objectives of the EU Green Deal. The EMC received its third SHIFT eco-certificate for cultural networks in February 2026.

Interests Represented

Does not represent commercial interests

Member Of

The EMC is a Regional Group of the International Music Council (IMC). http://www.imc-cim.org/ The EMC is a member of Culture Action Europe. https://cultureactioneurope.org/ The EMC is a member of On The Move. https://on-the-move.org/

Organisation Members

The EMC has 78 member organisations in 28 countries: https://www.emc-imc.org/our-members/our-members/