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Are you also at ESNS 2026?


Dear Dear friends and members of the Music Cities Network,


Many of you already know, but we’re happy to officially share that Music Cities Network will be back at ESNS this year - and with a strong role in shaping the conversation.


MCN has been invited to curate and facilitate the 8th Music Moves Dialogue, which this year focuses on cities and regions. The Music Moves Dialogues are part of a European Commission tender, executed by the Federation of Music Conferences. In addition, MCN will co-host the Cities & Regions Breakfast together with our colleagues from Hamburg Music.


All activities will take place on Friday, 16 January, during ESNS in Groningen. Below is an overview of what’s happening:


09:30 - 10:30 - Shaping Music Cities and Regions: Breakfast @ ESNS


We warmly invite you to a focused breakfast reception (09:30–10:15), where we’ll share short insights into current European work on strengthening music ecosystems at the city and regional level. This will be followed by an informal meet-and-mingle to exchange ideas, compare approaches, and build connections between organisations working on music sector development and music industry companies.


Please note: places are limited.👉 Please RSVP here.


Hosted by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region project MI-RAP, the Interreg Europe project SONIC, and Music Cities Network.


📍 House of Europe, Oosterpoort


10:30–11:30 - Public Panel Discussion “Scaling up the European Music Ecosystem: Regions and Cities as Drivers of the European Music Development?”


Europe’s music strength lies in its diverse local scenes, from small cities to dynamic regions, yet these ecosystems remain unevenly connected and somehow difficult to scale. This panel explores how municipalities, regions, and European networks can work together to boost talent development, strengthen infrastructure, improve artist mobility, and build cross-border cooperation.The speakers will explore the policies, partnerships, and models needed to empower local music ecosystems and contribute to a more resilient, innovative, and interconnected European music landscape.

 

Moderator:Lena Ingwersen – Music Cities Network

Speakers:

  • Paul Callaghan – Sunderland Music City

  • Mark Dieler – AMARI – Network of Mediterranean Rural Artist Residencies / SMC

  • Erica Romero Pender – Live DMA, Km0 Cultural Transits Project

  • Virgo Sillamaa – European Music Exporters Exchange

  • Nicole Venema – Municipality of Groningen (MCN Member)








13:15–15:45 - Invitation-only Workshop “What actions, partnerships, and policies are needed on the ground to scale regional music development across Europe?”

This closed, invitation-only workshop will bring together selected city, regional, and European policy stakeholders for an in-depth working session.


Facilitated by:

Erica Romero Pender & Lena Ingwersen



For MCN, being appointed to curate and host these sessions is a significant opportunity, strengthening both the network’s visibility and its role in European policy conversations.

If you (or colleagues from your city or region) are attending ESNS and work with policy colleagues who could be a good fit for the sessions, please feel free to share this invitation and let us know.


We’re very much looking forward to reconnecting with many of you in Groningen. Timo (Hamburg), Jesper (Aarhus), Paul (Sunderland), Nicole (Groningen) and Lena (global) will be there.





Warm regards,


Your MCN Headquarter,


Lena Ingwersen, Sabrina Dehati, Aneta Gaidamovic





Inquiries


For more information about the Music Cities Network, our activities, or upcoming collaborations, please feel free to get in touch with:


Aneta Gaidamovic

Communication Manager, Music Cities Network



About the

Music Cities Network


The Music Cities Network (MCN) is a global, independent non-profit association committed to strengthening music ecosystems through international collaboration and local empowerment. We connect music cities and their stakeholders across borders  - policymakers, city strategists, artists, and industry professionals - to exchange knowledge, co-create solutions, and foster resilient, inclusive, and future-ready music environments. Rooted in a holistic and action-oriented approach, MCN supports cities in harnessing the power of music to drive cultural, social, and economic development. Our network is growing and open. We welcome all music cities ready to engage, collaborate, and lead meaningful change in their communities and beyond.




 
 
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