Brussels, 21st May 2019

On 20th and 21st May, IMPALA took part in the first of a series of meetings organised as part of a “structured dialogue” between the European Commission and the music sector.

The meeting, organised in the framework of the EU’s Music Moves Europe preparatory action, took place at Brussels’ renowned concert venue Ancienne Belgique.The EU was represented by Culture Commissioner Tibor Navracsics, Director Tamás Szucs, and Romania’s Culture attachée Corina Panaitopol on behalf of the EU presidency. 

Helen Smith, IMPALA’s Executive Chair, took part in two panels, one on EU funding with a focus on the EU’s loan guarantee instrument, and the other on the recently adopted copyright directive.

Helen Smith said: “IMPALA is delighted to be a part of this dialogue. With Music Moves Europe, the Commission is showing its commitment to developing EU policies and programmes focused on music, and these meetings are a great opportunity to work together towards a better understanding of the sector”.

The next dialogue meeting will take place in Hamburg in September at the Reeperbahn music conference.

Helen Smith concluded: “With the copyright directive, the EU set a worldwide example in terms of establishing a fairer online world. Now we look to the EU to lead the world in terms of funding culture. Music Moves Europe is a great first step, we need to consolidate this approach and allocate a strong budget to music in the next Creative Europe programme.”

About IMPALA

IMPALA was established in April 2000 to represent European independent music companies. 99% of Europe’s music companies are SMEs. 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, return more value to artists, promote cultural diversity and entrepreneurship, improve political access and modernise perceptions of the music sector.