MI-RAP – Music Industry Resilience Acceleration Programme
The MI-RAP project unites eight member states of the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Program to support local authorities, sectoral agencies, and business support organizations in strengthening the music industry. It focuses on addressing current and future challenges related to skill shortages, innovation, and climate change.
The music sector operates at the intersection of culture and commerce, facing growing external pressure from economic volatility, global crises (e.g. COVID-19, climate change), and disruptive technologies. To address challenges related to a shortage of skilled professionals, innovation in relation to artificial intelligence, and climate change, the project is developing innovative and sustainable tools. The aim is to attract new talent to the music industry while promoting cross-sector collaboration, as well as the integration of new technologies and environmentally friendly practices. Local authorities, industry associations, and business support organizations play a central role in this process but often lack the needed tools, strategies, and capacities to act effectively.
In addition to exploring potential applications of artificial intelligence to enhance workflows within music companies, the project also pilots opportunities for lateral entry programs aimed at reducing skills shortages. Partners will jointly develop methods, tools, and guidelines, which are tested in different local settings and further developed through transnational exchange. These include:
• Training formats and campaigns aimed at equipping current and future employees with relevant skills, e.g. formats to train sound and light technicians or formats that provide industry specific knowledge for newcomers.
• Innovation strategies and cross-sectoral tools to support new business models and collaborations, e.g. cross-innovation programs at the intersection of music and technology or innovative uses of space within cities.
• Practical guidance to enable greener practices, especially in live music and touring contexts, e.g. a greener audience travel or disposable-free events.
The knowledge and instruments gained will be made accessible through an open online resource hub, ensuring transferability across the wider Baltic Sea region and beyond. MI-RAP is already helping partners and stakeholders to shape more resilient music ecosystems by supporting artists and businesses to grow, adapt, and thrive in a changing world.
The partnership consists of nine partner organisations in eight countries around the Baltic Sea region. MI-RAP is funded by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Program and co-financed by the European Union.
REM Consult has been commissioned by the lead partner Hamburg Music Business e.V. to support the project and financial management and has been supporting the partnership since 2023. Previously, REM Consult supported the project development.
