MESO on the move: strengthening music ecosystems across Europe this September

September marks an important beginning for the new season, with a series of international gatherings that reflect the different dimensions of our work and the growing role of our community in shaping Europe’s music and cultural landscape.

The journey starts in Groningen with the launch of SONIC, an Interreg initiative on Strategic Opportunities for New Innovation in Cultural Policy in which Technopolis City of Athens is also a partner. Here, cultural operators and policy experts come together to explore how regional music ecosystems can be better supported through forward-looking public policies, cross-border collaboration, and cultural innovation. This conversation is vital for ensuring that local voices and communities have a place in the wider European debate.

A few days later in Berlin, Music Frontiers will bring together visionaries working at the intersection of music, technology, and creativity. Pantelis Vikatos from Orfium and Chris Hocking will join this new initiative organised by MusicTech Germany, one of our Music Tech Europe partners. The discussions will focus on how music and technology are reshaping value chains, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs, and linking innovation with long-term sustainability. For us, this is also a chance to share perspectives from Greece and the wider region with the European music-tech community.

The month continues in Bucharest, where Athens Music Week deepens its collaboration with Mastering the Music Business and So Alive Music Conference. This partnership, initiated earlier this year in Athens, strengthens ties between the three capitals of Athens, Bucharest, and Sofia. Georges Perot and Chris Bekiris (aka Bhukhurah) will represent Greece in the panel “The New Schengen Route: Opening Doors for Business in the Balkans,” examining how the expansion of Schengen will transform artist mobility, touring, and festival cooperation. Bhukhurah will also perform in the official showcase, bringing the creativity and diversity of the Greek scene to an international stage. As part of this collaboration, Greek professionals attending MMB will benefit from a reduced participation fee, a practical step to encourage exchange and professional networking across borders.

Looking ahead, this momentum extends to the Music Tech Europe Academy, which opens its new call for applications on September 8. The programme offers deep sector expertise, a vibrant European community of innovators, and opportunities for entrepreneurs to present their work in pitch sessions that can lead to new collaborations and deals. It is an important pathway for music-tech projects and professionals ready to grow internationally.

Together, these activities are not isolated moments but connected steps in a broader effort to create a stronger, more resilient, and more connected music ecosystem in Europe. They illustrate how local initiatives can scale through regional partnerships, how creative entrepreneurs can access international networks, and how cultural cooperation can inspire sustainable change.

We warmly thank our partners who make this collective work possible.

For anyone interested in supporting local and regional talent, investing in cultural innovation, or collaborating on future European projects, now is the right moment to join forces.