Belgrade, Serbia – [10.09.2025.] – The newly launched SONIC project is set to enhance the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the European music industry. Bringing together partners from seven diverse European regions, the project will focus on improving regional policies to better support innovation. Running from 2025 to 2029, SONIC is co-funded by the Interreg Europe programme and unites Hamburg Music (Germany), the Municipality of Groningen (Netherlands), the City of Tampere (Finland), the Centre-Val de Loire Region (France), the Creative Innovative Center Ložionica (Serbia), M.E.S.O. Events (Greece), and the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique (France).
“With SONIC, we are creating a powerful platform for Europe’s music ecosystems to connect, learn from each other, and collectively build a more innovative and resilient future,” says Fabian Baßenhoff from Hamburg Music. “By focusing on key areas like AI and professional skills, we can directly address the challenges and opportunities facing our creative SMEs today.”
Successful Kick-Off in Groningen Connects Local and European Partners
On 3–4 September 2025, the project team convened for the first time in Groningen. The meeting included visits to innovative local projects and cultural landmarks, culminating in a workshop with local stakeholders. This event sparked direct co-creation between partners and stakeholders, bringing transnational perspectives to the local level while sharing local insights with the European SONIC partnership. The meeting also underscored the central role of local stakeholder groups as hubs for collaboration, idea development, and policy improvement across all partner regions.
Building a Lasting Legacy for Europe’s Music Industry
By linking local insights with transnational cooperation, SONIC will deliver improved policy instruments, strengthen professional networks, and foster a more competitive, innovative, and resilient music industry across Europe. The project’s long-term vision is to leave a lasting legacy of stronger cross-border cooperation, empowered local ecosystems, and sustainable growth opportunities for creative SMEs.
Building a Lasting Legacy for Europe’s Music Industry
By linking local insights with transnational cooperation, SONIC will deliver improved policy instruments, strengthen professional networks, and foster a more competitive, innovative, and resilient music industry across Europe. The project’s long-term vision is to leave a lasting legacy of stronger cross-border cooperation, empowered local ecosystems, and sustainable growth opportunities for creative SMEs.
About Interreg Europe
Interreg Europe is an interregional cooperation programme co-financed by the European Union. It belongs to the European territorial cooperation goal of the cohesion policy known as Interreg. The programme helps local, regional and national governments across Europe to develop and deliver better regional development policies. Interreg Europe is dedicated to capacity building through the exchange of experience and good practices in all priorities of the EU cohesion policy via interregional cooperation projects and the Policy Learning Platform services.
