Brussels, 17th September 2025

As part of its EU network project, IMPALA is announcing the first iteration of the European Independent Music Summit, a high-level strategic meeting taking place on Wednesday 29 October in Zagreb. This year, the Summit is organised in collaboration with RUNDA Adria, the association of independent music companies in the Adria region, as part of IMPALA’s ongoing focus on boosting the independent music sector in the region. 

For its first edition, the theme of this event will be Strength in diversity – the role of micro, small and medium sized independent businesses in reaching Europe’s potential in music.

This theme will revolve around discussions exploring the best way to support and strengthen the independent music sector, with a specific focus on the following topics:

• Access to finance
• Access to market
• Boosting local music small businesses, underlining the question of diversity/ discoverability
• Focus on Central and Eastern Europe and enormous potential of indies in the region
• Growing EU’s cultural and creative industries

The aim of the summit is to create a space for an open and strategic discussion between IMPALA’s board members and labels from the region and a number of EU and national decision-makers, as well as with representatives of other EU cultural organisations.  

Helen Smith, Executive Chair of IMPALA commented: “Boosting independent businesses and their access to finance and market is one of our core priorities and we’re looking forward to facilitating this high-level conversation in Zagreb, confirming our focus on the region, set out by our board two years ago.”

Dario Draštata, President of regional association RUNDA Adria and Executive Director of Dallas Records added: “As IMPALA’s chair, it’s great to be able to host members and officials from all over Europe for Runda Days and IMPALA’s Independent Music Summit. This event is another proof of the vital role of cultural businesses in local economies, as well as the potential of the region.“