The music sector operates at the intersection of culture and commerce - a dynamic space that demands both creative vitality and economic resilience. Over the course of the MI-RAP project, it has become increasingly clear that the sector’s adaptability is being tested by external pressures such as economic volatility, global crises (e.g. COVID-19, climate change), and disruptive technologies.

Through ongoing collaboration and transnational exchange, partners have identified three major fields where resilience is currently at risk: a shortage of skilled professionals, the challenges and opportunities presented by AI and other emerging technologies, and the need to reduce the environmental footprint of a sector inherently reliant on mobility and international exchange.

Our work so far confirms that business support organizations, sector agencies, and local public administrations hold key levers to support resilience at the local level. Yet many lack the tools, strategies, and capacities to do so effectively. To address this, MI-RAP is in the process of developing and testing a modular solution that includes:

• Training formats and campaigns aimed at equipping current and future workers with skills relevant for a transforming industry; e.g. formats to train sound & light technicians or formats that provide industry specific knowledge for newcomers to the industry.
• Innovation strategies and cross-sectoral tools to support new business models and collaborations; e.g. cross-innovation programs at the intersection of music & tech or innovative uses of spaces within cities.
• Practical guidance to enable greener practices, particularly in live music and touring contexts; e.g. a greener audience travel or disposable-free events.

These elements are currently being tested in different local settings and refined through transnational exchange. Once finalized, they will be made accessible through an open online resource hub, ensuring transferability across the wider Baltic Sea Region and beyond. While still in development, MI-RAP is already helping partners and stakeholders shape more resilient music ecosystems - supporting artists and businesses to grow, adapt, and thrive in a changing world.