The music sector sits at the crossroads of culture and commerce. It thrives on creativity, but its resilience is tested by economic shocks, global crises, and disruptive new technologies. MI-RAP set out to change that.

Across the Baltic Sea Region, partners identified three risks to the sector's resilience: a shortage of skilled professionals, the challenges and opportunities of AI, and the environmental footprint of a sector built on mobility and consumption. Public authorities, business support organisations, and sectoral agencies hold the levers to address these risks locally, but many lacked the tools to do so.

MI-RAP closed that gap. We developed a solution built on three pillars: training formats that equip professionals with future-relevant skills; innovation tools that connect music with technology and unlock new business models; and practical guidance for greener live music and touring.

We tested this solution in seven local testbeds, developed 17 new tools, and ran 32 events reaching 702 participants. To spread these results further, we built a three-step transmission programme,  webinars, deep-dives, and one-to-one coaching, which has already reached 84 organisations and around 120 active participants.

The results speak for themselves. In Gothenburg, our sustainability work helped launch a Disposable Free City Event. "Initiatives like these are exactly what we need for a circular society," says Sofia Lindblad, Group Sustainability Manager. In Tallinn, our MusicTech Innovation Programme has already produced six investment-ready startups: "Real companies have emerged. The local music-tech scene greatly needs such a programme," notes Priit Uustulnd of EstBAN. In Riga, our Deep Dive Training Programme gave young professionals their first access to structured, practical industry training.

None of this would have been possible without transnational exchange. Partners pooled their experience across borders and turned local lessons into a solution that works across the Baltic Sea Region. Through intensive collaboration in dedicated working groups, digital partner updates every two weeks, and face-to-face partner meetings in the regions, challenges and learnings were discussed, developed, and further processed.

MI-RAP's work does not end with the project. All partners have jointly approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Music Cities Network, which will host the MI-RAP resource hub, keep our solution and the tools visible.