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MUSIC CITIES NETWORK and the CENTER FOR MUSIC ECOSYSTEMS launch 
THE EUROPEAN MUSIC POLICY EXCHANGE 

MusicAIRE funded project launches the first-ever music policy think tank for cities in Europe, leading to the publication of a Music Cities Policy Handbook in 2023.
#musicpolicymatters
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EUROPEAN
MUSIC
POLICY EXCHANGE 

what is empe?

The European Music Policy Exchange is the first of its kind thinktank for cities to integrate and enhance the role that music plays across city priorities, including jobs and skills to education, climate action to infrastructure, tourism to the night time economy, gender equality and strategic planning.

 How will it work? 

EMPE will host 8 themed roundtables over autumn and winter - in partnership with Reeperbahn Festival and Eurosonic Noorderslag - and a host of specialists and partners, and co-facilitated with Kaospilots (DK) -  experts in design thinking and creative leadership. The findings will inform the publication of the first EU Music Cities Policy Handbook offering solutions and best practices to incorporate music into the heart of local policy.

Who is involved?

Participating cities to date include Aarhus (DK), Amsterdam (NL), Barcelona (ES), Bergen (NOR), Berlin (GER), Brno (CZ), Brussels (BE), Cortona (IT), Gothenburg (SE), Groningen (NL), Guimares (PT), Hamburg (GER), Hannover (DE), Hannover (DE), Kalmar (SE), Lausanne (CH), Leiria (PT), Leiria (PT), Liepāja (LT), London (UK), Manchester (UK), Mannheim (DE), Nantes (FR), Norrköping (SE), Paris (FR), Poznan (PO), Reykjavik (IS), Sydney (AUS), Tallinn (EE), Valletta (MT), Veszprem (HU), among others. The project aims to include representatives from cities in every EU country and the UK by the time of its culmination in April 2023.

 what is the goal? 

Each roundtable will feature at least 6 cities spanning all corners of Europe, comprising both Music Cities Network members and non-members, led by an expert in the field to explore how to incorporate music - in all its forms and functions - into how cities are planned, managed, measured and improved. Each roundtable will focus on a specific policy area including Diversity, Climate Action, Jobs and Skills, Education, Tourism, Night Time Economy, Infrastructure, and Long Term Strategic Planning and Resilience. Two are in person (Reeperbahn and Eurosonic) and the rest online.

 What will this  project deliver? 

Each policy area will comprise a chapter of the handbook, led by us and our partner, the Music Cities Network. The handbook and all findings from the roundtables will be published in 2023 and made available for free to all cities and communities in Europe and worldwide.

 testimonials 

María Rut Reynisdóttir

Head of Cultural Office, Reykjavík Music City,

Reykjavík Culture and Tourism,

Board Member Music Cities Network e.V.

'EMPE will be tackling the most important topics our music cities are facing today, such as climate change, tourism, and infrastructure. In our fast-paced societies, we are often tackle these matters without taking the time to form policies around our work or create the infrastructure that supports and facilitates long-term change. EMPE will be the platform where we share knowledge and experiences across cities in Europe and will allow us to foster the relationship between key players in our music scenes and policymakers'.

Roundtable
Theme
Location
Date
Publication of Guide
At Tallinn Music Week
30/04/2023
8
Implementation
Online, Zoom
14/03/2023
9
Long-term Strategic Planning and Resilience
In person - Norrköping, Sweden, to coincide with UNESCO Cities of Music Annual Meeting
02/03/2023
7
Infrastructure
Online, Zoom
08/02/2023
6
Night Time Economy
Online, Zoom
17/01/2023
5
Tourism
Online, Zoom
07/12/2022
4
Education
Online, Zoom
16/11/2022
3
Jobs & Skills
Online, Zoom
18/10/2022
2
Climate Action
Online, Zoom
04/10/2022
1
Diversity, Equality, Inclusion
Reeperbahn Festival, Hamburg
21/09/2022
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 How to  get.
 involved? 

These roundtables are open to an EU or UK city, or a representative from an organization funded by the city to support the local music economy. EMPE will offer honorariums to cover the cost of travel and participation in the roundtables held in person. To get involved, please complete this form.

Working
With
the Best Partners
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EMPE is organized by:

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Co-founded by :

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