Last week in Ljubljana, during the annual showcase and professional music conference MENT, a group of members of independent producer associations presented a new initiative – the CEE Academy for Independent Music, supported by IMPALA.

Developed through the joint efforts of several organizations in Central and Eastern Europe (ANMIP Bulgaria, BMYD Turkey, HAIL Hungary, IndieRo Romania and RUNDA Adria) and supported by IMPALA, this project aims to fill a gap in the educational environment in the region. The aim is to support budding professionals by providing them with fundamental knowledge and practical skills in the music industry, which will help them take their first steps in this sector. At the same time, the Academy hopes to benefit music companies by connecting them with emerging talents who wish to apply their skills in a professional environment.

The Academy’s curriculum has been developed by national independent music industry associations with input from local experts and will be updated periodically to reflect industry developments. The initial program will offer an introduction to key areas such as the music ecosystem, digital marketing and playlist creation, A&R, copyright and related rights, and music distribution and publishing strategies. Participants will also have the opportunity to network with industry professionals through regional conferences, mentoring programs, and internships.

We encourage both professionals and industry companies to express their interest by completing this form to receive additional information.

Dario Drasciata, Chairman of IMPALA, President of the regional association RUNDA Adria and CEO of Dallas Records, commented: “Investing in skills and education is essential for the growth of the independent music sector. By helping new professionals gain a solid foundation, the CEE Academy for Independent Music can contribute to strengthening the industry and fostering new opportunities.”

Case Van Weyen, CEO of STOMP, member of the IMPALA Executive Board, commented: “For years, our global mission has been to level the playing field for independent music businesses in Europe. This initiative reinforces this commitment by fostering stronger connections between industry professionals in Central and Eastern Europe and ensuring that experiences are shared to shape the industry of the future.”

Ruth Koleva, Chair of the ANMIP Board, continued: “Collaboration and knowledge exchange are at the heart of our work. This academy is fully aligned with our broader goal of enabling our members to learn from each other, grow their businesses and contribute to a vibrant and interconnected independent music ecosystem in Europe.”

Carla Rogozhar, Manager, Network Development, Sustainability and Projects, IMPALA concluded: “Market development in Central and Eastern Europe is one of IMPALA’s priorities and it is exciting to see opportunities for collaboration such as this emerging in the region. We also look forward to seeing the opportunity to further expand this initiative, including in collaboration with existing educational structures, to increase its impact and reach.”

Organizations involved in the development and implementation of the CEE Academy for Independent Music:

ANMIP (Bulgaria)
BMYD (Turkey)
HAIL (Hungary)
IndieRo (Romania)
RUNDA (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia)