IMPF launches new EU co-funded projects for independent music publishers

09 April 2025 - Press release

IMPF Network 2.0 Project outlined at organisation’s 2025 General Assembly

The IMPF Network 2.0 Project was formally launched at the organisation’s 2025 General Assemblies & Conference last week as part of a two-day event hosted in Athens.

The IMPF ‘Network for Capacity Building for Independent Music Publishers in Europe and Beyond Project 2.0’ builds on the work of the previous IMPF Network Project, which has had a transformative impact on the scope and capabilities for both IMPF and its global independent music publisher membership over the past three years. 

Perhaps the most high-profile achievement to have been born out of the first Project has been the formation and establishment of The IMPF Global Music Summit and Songwriting Camp in Palma – an annual event that has grown rapidly over the period and cemented itself as a must-attend fixture in the industry calendar and the passport to the world of music publishing connecting businesses all over the globe.

More broadly, through a number of co-funded initiatives, the Project has been able to build publishers’ and writers’ capacity on an international level in Europe and beyond, expanding their reach to surrounding territories and fostering the creation of the next generation of music publishers. 

The second IMPF Network Project stretches further than the first with EU co-funding made available over a four-year period. 

As well as growing the IMPF Global Music Summit and additional publisher development projects, the second Project will host a new set of songwriting camps, including this time in collaboration with the European Composer & Songwriter Alliance (ECSA), and a range of export missions in collaboration with the European Music Exporters Exchange (EMEE) and Music Publishers Canada (MPC). 

The songwriting camps will comprise of physical gatherings including the now well-established Palma Songwriting Camp, which runs alongside the Global Music Summit, as well as a programme of online camps that will open the experience to more writers and composers.

Meanwhile, IMPF publishers will be able to participate in international missions with the objective of acquiring market knowledge and business opportunities both in new sub-publishing or publishing administration deals, and in synch licensing - procuring new avenues for licensing European music into film, TV, advertising and gaming productions. 

Plans were also revealed for the creation of a common gathering space for music related organisations; dubbed Brussels Music House, it is intended to aid collaboration and coordination among music rightsholders to address common challenges and opportunities. 

The Network 2.0 Project is the logical next step following the successful implementation of the first Project. It will afford IMPF, its members and collaborators, the opportunity to create further business opportunities and a natural synergy with likeminded and aligned organisations.

IMPF President Annette Barrett said: “The impact that this funding from Creative Europe has had to date has been transformative - both for IMPF, in terms of our scope and capabilities, and for many of our members who have been able to reach beyond their borders and collaborate internationally to a greater extent than ever before. We are grateful to have the backing of Creative Europe for another four years and, under the banner of this new Network Project, hope to build on our success, further empowering the independent music publishing community in Europe and around the world.”

IMPF Board member and 22D Music Group CEO Emmanuel Deletang said: “The funding we receive from Creative Europe allows us to do so much, including increasing our collaboration with like-minded organisations, such as EMEE and ECSA, holding trade missions, song camps and synch sessions that directly benefit the songwriters and composers we represent.  We are also able to enhance our advocacy, addressing the very real concerns and needs of our community of artists and songwriters, in a world where their ability to earn a living from their work is under severe threat, and is being systematically destroyed by the current AI industry.”

Olga Sismanidi, Creative Europe, Project Officer European Music Networks-Platforms, said: “I have attended the IMPF Global Music Summit in Palma since the beginning of its Creative Europe Network journey and have seen how IMPF and its members – the independent music publishers - have grasped this opportunity to build their capacity, diversify their business and grow internationally. The renewal of IMPF’s funding reflects the organisation’s exceptional commitment to elevating independent music publishing across Europe and beyond with a network that empowers publishers through sub-grants, capacity building and innovation. The EU’s investment reinforces IMPF’s ability to promote diverse voices, nurture emerging talent and foster sustainable business models. I look forward to seeing what this new phase will bring over the coming four years and how IMPF will continue to stir the music of our times.”