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
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).
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.
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.
