Brussels, 30 April 2026

To kick off European Diversity Month, IMPALA is launching its second Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) survey for the independent music sector. The aim of the IMPALA survey is to provide a snapshot of how the sector deals with these issues, the key challenges it faces, as well as an assessment of how businesses and associations assess their own diversity and gain an overview of best practices,  local developments and projects in the field of EDI.

The survey is integrated into the new IMPALA EDI Toolkit for the independent music sector, which was developed with the support of a grant from the EU for recognised cultural networks in Europe. In addition to the survey, the toolkit also includes a self-assessment tool and a training platform designed specifically for the sector. Participants get personalised recommendations based on their results, including training suggestions, case studies and practical guidance on how to bring about positive change step by step. They can measure and benchmark their results over time.

The toolkit is confidential, accessible, and tailored to companies of all sizes across the independent sector, from self-releasing artists to small and medium-sized labels. It was first introduced as a closed pilot for testing and updating and is now launched as a beta version for continuous fine-tuning over the next years.

Key features of the EDI toolkit for the independent music sector include:

• An independent music sector survey with clear and unbiased questions on various aspects of EDI, highlighting key findings, trends, and case studies of successful initiatives. The survey length/depth is adjusted to the participants’ type/size.
• Self-assessment tool to help members track progress and generate comprehensive reports, with user feedback feeding into future improvements.
• Online training platform with sector-specific courses such as Why Inclusion Matters in Music, Barriers to Inclusion in Music, and Inclusive Practice & Leadership. Each course combines factual material, case studies, videos, quizzes and assignments, with certificates awarded to participants who complete the programme. Thanks to the association’s EU network grant, access to the training programme is freely available for all IMPALA members.

The EDI toolkit for the independent music sector feeds into the 12 commitments set out in IMPALA’s EDI charter, where IMPALA aims to measure the sector’s diversity in Europe on regular basis, to offer free EDI training to members, and to map EDI best practices examples across the sector. The results lay the groundwork for a better understanding, enabling analysis, case studies and recommendations to drive progress across the sector.

IMPALA’s EDI taskforce co-chair and chair at SOM Eva Karman Reinhold commented: “The equity and inclusion survey integrated in the EDI toolkit for the independent music sector is more than just a survey! Combined with the self-assessment tool, recommendations, training and case studies, it offers members concrete guidance on how they can bring about positive change. Step by step, in ways that work for their organisations and for the wider sector.”

IMPALA’s taskforce co-chair and chief executive at AIM UK Gee Davy added: “IMPALA’s EDI survey and toolkit are both important in turning intention into action. The survey gives us the necessary insight to direct our activities and understand where more work is needed, while the toolkit provides targeted knowledge and guidance for music businesses of all shapes and sizes. Built on expertise, community learnings and effective programmes, these help us all towards a more truly diverse, inclusive, and representative independent music sector.”

IMPALA’s membership & project coordinator Nastasja Prévost noted: “What began as an idea in our EDI taskforce has now been turned into a concrete EDI toolkit, supported by the EU network grant. We measure together – and we encourage all independent labels to take part in the survey!”   

Vick Bain, who co-developed the EDI toolkit and created the embedded EDI training platform, noted: “The music industry needs something more specific than standard EDI training. The Music Culture Creator builds on research and over twenty years of experience, combining structural insights with practical application. Delivered in short, focused modules, it allows participants to learn at their own pace, absorb content in manageable steps, and apply what they learn straight away.”

Andrew Lansley, co-designer of the EDI toolkit and developed the self-assessment tool, added: “By combining assessment, benchmarking, and training, the toolkit offers organisations clear, actionable support – helping them focus on the areas where change will have the greatest impact. This tool is world leading and I am proud to champion this essential work.”

Dr Leona Vaughn, Music Futures/ University of Liverpool concluded: “MusicFutures is keen to see how this toolkit can encourage both independent labels and the wider music sector to maintain focus on what we see as the major challenges for the music eco-system, especially during fast-paced change and innovation – proactive leadership for addressing issues of exclusion and inequality; making the sector inclusive at all levels and approaching EDI as good for business and the economy.”

About IMPALA
IMPALA was established in 2000 and now represents over 6000 independent music companies in Europe. 99% of Europe’s music companies are small, micro and medium businesses and self-releasing artists. Known as the independents, they are world leaders in terms of innovation and discovering new music and artists – they produce more than 80% of all new releases and account for 80% of the sector’s jobs. IMPALA’s mission is to grow the independent music sector sustainably, return more value to artists, promote diversity and entrepreneurship, improve political access, inspire change, and increase access to finance. IMPALA works on a range of key issues for its members and started a new co-funded work programme as an EU cultural network in 2025. IMPALA runs various award schemes and has a programme aimed at businesses who want to develop a strategic relationship with the European independent sector – Friends of IMPALA. This year we are celebrating our 25th anniversary with a series of interviews Faces of the Independent Sector and other features, see more here.