Who can apply to the Management Training pillar?
The Management Training program is for young music industry professionals. We know the lines between jobs are not always crystal clear, but this is how we loosely interpret our target group: young and emerging managers, bookers, promoters, or other music industry professionals who are in some way connected to world / global / roots / traditional Balkan music.
Any aspiring or current world music professional who fits this description and is active in the scope region of MOST Music is eligible.
The scope region is as follows: Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Croatia, Kosovo*, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
* KOSOVO – Eligible to participate in the Creative Europe Program. This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence
Who can apply to the Balkan Music Export pillar?
The Balkan Music Hub is for bands or musicians who are ready to boost their international careers. The applicant must be from the scope region of MOST Music: Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Croatia, Kosovo*, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Any band or musician with at least one member with citizenship in the above mentioned countries is eligible.
Please note that in the selection process, involvement with Balkan world or traditional music is an important factor. For all selection criteria, please read the full call text.
* KOSOVO – Eligible to participate in the Creative Europe Program. This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence
Who is eligible to apply to the Festival & Club Exchange program?
Festivals and clubs from every country that is a Creative Europe member state are eligible. This means all European Union member states but also many non-EU countries as well.
Please note that we have a quota system in this pillar of the MOST Music project. We will select up to 20 clubs and festivals. Half of these must be from the Balkan scope region (Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Croatia, Kosovo*, Bosnia and Herzegovina) and half of them must be from the rest of Europe.
* KOSOVO – Eligible to participate in the Creative Europe Program. This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence
When can I apply?
The application for the 3rd and final round of MOST Music opens in May 2022 and closes in September 2022.
I submitted my application. When can I expect to get my results?
In each pillar, the jury only starts the selection process once the application is closed. This means that typically you will have to wait 10-14 days after the call is closed to receive the final decision.
Please plan accordingly when you apply, and thank you so much for your patience! This time window is necessary for our international jury to dedicate the necessary time and attention to really consider each application and debate about their selection.
Please also note that we will inform you about the jury’s decision via the email address you have provided us during the application process. So make sure you give us a real address that you have regular access to!
To be up-to-date about the call closing date, follow us on social media (@MostMusicEU) or subscribe to our newsletter (scroll down to the footer)!
Can I apply to several pillars at the same time? (eg. apply both to Balkan Music Export and Management Training)
Yes, applying simultaneously to several pillars is accepted. But please take into account that in case we have too many applicants for a certain pillar, applicants who have successfully applied for another pillar (in the same or a previous round) will be considered only after other applicants.
Why are Greece, Slovenia and Turkey not included in the list of Balkan countries?
In the MOST project, Balkans are not necessarily defined in geographic terms but as an area that shares the same music market challenges. As far as we are concerned, Greece, Slovenia and Turkey are different in this sense.
Will all musicians accepted to the Balkan Music Exchange program get a chance to play at WOMEX or other showcases?
Every artists and band accepted to the program will be paired up with a mentor. The mentors are prominent world music industry experts who will support the participants to find and apply to showcase festivals that are the most relevant to them and fit in their portfolio.
Every participant is entitled to support for at least 1 showcase performance – this means, MOST Music contributes to the relevant expenses such as travel costs and accommodation.
We encourage each participant to apply to WOMEX! WOMEX is a MOST Music partner, which means we are promoting Balkan world music at the event each year. However, this does not mean that MOST participants are automatically selected to WOMEX. In case they are selected, MOST will contribute (travel and accommodation costs).
What kind of project ideas can be supported by the Urban Project Hub?
The jury is open to any idea which is strengthening the local music scene and fostering the social and municipal support for local music projects. The project can be both an event and a long-term improvement, but please note that sustainable project ideas are preferred.
For example, a project encouraging quality live music in the HORECA sector or wall paintings promoting local artists or events can also be accepted by the program.
How much is the financial support offered in the Urban Project Hub?
In the Urban Project Hub, there are multiple rounds of selection. First, 12 participants are selected from the pool of applicants. Then these participants partake in training and in a pitching competition. The best 6 will go on to receive mentoring and continue to develop their project idea together with their mentor and local policy makers.
The support has a maximum amount of 5000 EUR/project, but the jury has the right to award lower amounts depending on the budget and the size of the project. The exact amount of the financial support will be decided after the final presentation of the projects.
What can the financial support be used for in the Urban Policy Hub?
The support can be spent for any type of costs related directly to the implementation of the project without any restrictions.
What exactly does it mean in the Urban Project Hub that the project needs to involve a local policy maker?
In the application process, you don’t have to involve a local policy maker, you can apply as an individual. What we expect you to do is to confirm in writing that you are planning to cooperate with a local policy maker who works in the field of cultural politics, policy making, etc. in the region or city that you are planning to create your project in.
You will have to involve this policy or decision maker in your project at a certain point of the Urban Project Hub process. You will receive plenty of training and knowhow until then, so don’t be concerned, but definitely be prepared and at the very least, contact this person when you apply to MOST Music.
What type of collaboration is expected with the local municipality in the Urban Project Hub?
The applicants should have the capacity to involve the local municipalities as stakeholders in the process. It doesn’t necessarily mean financial contribution, but policy change, permits or other in kind contributions are important.
May I apply if I haven’t yet managed any bands or worked with festivals, but I am eager to learn about this profession?
Yes, you are more than welcome!
What organisations will offer traineeships to the participants of the Management Training?
One of the offers of the MOST Music Management Training program is that selected participants will be eligible to apply to traineeships at prominent European world music organisations. We’ve had overwhelmingly positive feedback from both the host organisations and the trainees – some of whom are now working full time at their host company.
Traineeships will be offered by prominent European world music festivals, cultural organisations, record labels, clubs and cultural institutions. There is no official list of offered traineeships yet, as they are currently being finalised. In the past, we have managed to offer traineeships at the Bulgarian Music Association (Sofia), Hangveto (Budapest), Piranha Arts / WOMEX (Berlin) and Password Production / PIN Music Conference (Skopje).
Should I apply even if I’m not fully involved in the world music scene?
Yes, but please note that in order to hand in a valid application your music has to be somehow connected to world, ethno or traditional music or related genres (e.g. jazz, fusion). But musical genres have a fluid nature and we absolutely respect that. So, if you feel you are related to this scene, don’t hesitate to apply. We promise to listen to what you’ve got to say with open ears.
How does the COVID-19 pandemic affect the program?
During the time periods seriously affected by COVID-19 and travel restrictions, MOST adopted its project activities, which all happened online. The 2nd and 3rd rounds are (to our current knowledge) less affected by the pandemic and travel restrictions. However, the music industry is affected by the pandemic even after restrictions – so MOST pays heightened attention to the industry stakeholders when organising its project activities. If for safety, health or availability reasons online meetings seem the most feasible, we withhold the right to decide in their favor. Thank you for your understanding.
