Brussels, 28 May 2021,

As part of IMPALA’s schedule for European Diversity Month, IMPALA is hosting a roundtable today to discuss mentoring in the music sector with MEWEM. The session takes place digitally with mentees from MEWEM France programme and Helen Smith from IMPALA, godmother of MEWEM France. 

IMPALA is holding the roundtable to brainstorm and exchange views with mentees, as well as share news to inspire other projects. IMPALA is committed to promoting women’s access to management positions, entrepreneurship and new skills in the music industry, as part of its overall diversity and inclusion work.

Led by FELIN, MEWEM is funded by Creative Europe and, under the Music Moves Europe, the scheme is now developing in France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Spain and Romania. 

Through mentoring, MEWEM Europa connects young talent with professionals, entrepreneurs and leaders, who each accompany their mentee for a fixed period of time. MEWEM Europa also aims to develop and reinforce a music professionals’ network. 

It is also a European network of women in the music industry that has been growing for the past two years, and who share the same values of sisterhood, mutual aid and diversity.

Hélène Larrouturou, project manager at MEWEM Europa commented: “MEWEM is a pragmatic tool to change the numbers, so that 10% of women cultural entrepreneurs become 50%. This is the ambition that we are following in carrying out this project with our European partners.”

Helen Smith, IMPALA’s Executive Chair added: “MEWEM Europa is an ambitious programme and it’s a pleasure to be able to host our roundtable as part of European Diversity Month. This kind of programme is a great example of best practices and empowerment at EU level. I look forward to seeing the long-term outcomes of this and similar programmes in Europe.”

About MEWEM Europa
MEWEM Europa is a mentoring programme on a European scale, aimed at promoting women’s access to management positions and entrepreneurship as well as the development of managerial skills of women/young professionals in the music industry. The project partners develop a training model based on mentoring, adapted to the music sector and with a European dimension. Project partners include National Federation of Independent Labels – FELIN (France), Association of Independent Musicians and Music Companies – VUT (Germany), Wallonia-Brussels International – WBI (Belgium), Association of Romanian artists worldwide – RAW MUSIC (Romania), Mujeres de la industria de la música – MIM (Spain), Music Information Center Austria – MICA (Austria) and Le LABA (France).

More info: https://fede-felin.org/mewempresentation/ 

About IMPALA
IMPALA was established in 2000 and now represents over 5000 independent music companies. 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’s work on diversity includes implementing its diversity and inclusion charter, surveying members and offering training to members as well as practical tips.  

More info here.