Organisations representing Europe’s music sector have come out against a proposed 30% cut to the AgoraEU budget. They are asking Member States and the Irish Presidency to restore at least the European Commission‘s proposed funding and to ring-fence money for music in the EU’s 2028-2034 budget.
Budget figures at issue
The cut would reduce AgoraEU from the Commission’s proposed €8.6 billion to around €6 billion. The signatories say this places a disproportionate burden on culture, media and democracy, given that the overall proposed budget reduction is approximately 8%.
They argue that a marginal saving in the overall EU budget would come at a significant cost to Europe’s capacity to support a competitive and diverse cultural sector, including its music ecosystem.
Pressures on artists and independents
The signatories point to AI disruption, market concentration, streaming fraud and opaque streaming models as growing pressures on artists and independent businesses. They say dedicated European support is needed to unlock the sector’s potential and to overcome barriers that national investment alone cannot address.
Without it, they warn, European talent could be left undeveloped and future international successes could go unrealised.
What the sector is asking for
The organisations say that preserving AgoraEU’s overall budget must be matched by a clear financial commitment to music. They call on all EU decision-makers to secure these commitments in the AgoraEU regulation, with an ambitious budget, before negotiations conclude.
They are asking Member States and the Irish Presidency to:
- Restore, at a minimum, the Commission’s proposed AgoraEU budget
- Work towards the higher ambition set out by the European Parliament
- Secure dedicated, ring-fenced funding for music in the 2028-2034 EU budget
Europe’s musical future will be shaped by the talent we enable to develop now. Reject the cuts and give that talent the investment it needs to succeed.
About IMPALA
IMPALA, the Independent Music Companies Association, was established in 2000 and represents over 6,000 independent music companies in Europe. It says 99% of Europe’s music companies are small, micro and medium businesses and self-releasing artists, and that these independents produce more than 80% of all new releases and account for 80% of the sector’s jobs.
IMPALA began a new co-funded work programme as an EU cultural network in 2025. This year it is marking its 25th anniversary.
