Madrid, 18th September 2025

In 2025, WIN partnered with IMPALA to collaborate under its new program of work co-funded by the EU and strengthen cross-border cooperation between the global and European independent music sectors.

A key element of this initiative is the provision by WIN of key services, including a special collaboration in the WINHUB networking project. This work enables deeper strategic engagement between European and international industry leaders, enhancing global connections and export opportunities. In April, the first joint WINHUB Iberoamérica online event connected professionals from Spain and Portugal with their counterparts from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay. In October, members of trade associations from Central and Eastern Europe will connect with leaders from USA and Canadian businesses in another online event.

WINCON will also benefit from this new strategic partnership. WIN’s work in developing and supporting the global network of trade associations through its annual conference will be enriched by deeper cultural exchange and the sharing by WIN of best practices from the European music sector, championed by IMPALA. WINCON 2025 will take place in Sofia, Bulgaria on October 15-16 gathering leaders from Europe and the international community.

This year, trade associations outside Europe have already benefited from a range of new resources produced by IMPALA and disseminated by WIN. These include Strategic Primers developed with Music Ally on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Deezer, and Pandora, and reports such as Combating the Emergence of a Two-Tier Music Streaming Market.

As part of its program, IMPALA has launched several initiatives in recent months that also benefit the global independent music community. These include new Artist Camp and Label Camp projects to boost cross-border collaboration; a new support scheme for projects focused on equity, diversity, inclusion, and sustainability; the Digital Forward project with CMU, which offers tools to navigate the evolving digital landscape; and revamped versions of the Changemaker Award and the 100 Artists to Watch program with YouTube, which spotlights emerging European talent.

IMPALA continues to play a leading role in policy and advocacy in Europe and globally, engaging with policymakers and stakeholders to shape strategies that support European independents and foster international cooperation. By working closely with IMPALA, WIN helps amplify these efforts, promoting shared knowledge and collective action to drive meaningful global change.

Nerea Serrano, WIN Community & Projects Manager: “With the support of IMPALA and the EU, we are building a truly interconnected global network that empowers independent music businesses to thrive across borders. By providing new resources and opportunities for engagement, this initiative will amplify export capacity and foster deeper collaboration between Europe and other territories.”

About WIN
WIN is the international network that brings together the global independent music community. We connect and develop trade associations representing thousands of independent music businesses around the world, promoting a fair, transparent, and diverse music ecosystem with full market access and opportunities for all. winformusic.org 

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