Keychange Talent Leadership Programme 2026
**APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN UNTIL NOVEMBER 12 2025 5pm ET/ 10 pm GMT/ 11pm CET**
(If you have any accessibility requirements which may mean that you need longer for your application, please contact applications@keychange.eu as soon as possible, and by at least 7 days before the application deadline. Any requests received after the 5th of November will not be considered.)
What is the Keychange Talent Leadership Programme?
The Keychange Talent Leadership Programme (TLP) is a six-month training for women and gender-diverse individuals ready to lead change in the music industry.
This programme equips future leaders with the tools to drive diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). Through workshops, mentoring, and hands-on projects, participants gain practical skills, fresh insights, and the confidence to inspire change locally and globally.
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A Keychange leader inspires change and guides others toward a better future. Leadership is about vision and action, not just job titles.The programme builds the skills and mindset to lead diverse teams and drive social change, welcoming participants from all levels—managers, artists, entrepreneurs, and creatives.
What unites them is a shared ambition to challenge discrimination and transform the music industry, from local communities to the global stage.
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The TLP is a 6-month interactive training programme designed to prepare you as a DEIA change leader.
The programme begins at Tallinn Music Week (Estonia) in April 2026 and wraps up at the Reeperbahn Festival (Germany) in September 2026. Prior to the start of the programme, there will be an online kick-off meeting in March 2026.
You will be required to commit to the below:
Mandatory attendance at two in-person events:
Talent Lab at Tallinn Music Week: 09-12/04/2026 (opening event)
Talent Lab at Reeperbahn Festival: 16-19/09/2026 (programme wrap-up).
2. 24 sessions, 2 hours per week, between April 2026 - September 2026, with every fourth week being "free from activities".
An estimated average time of 4 hours of work a week (live sessions + independent work).
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As a participant in the Talent Leadership Programme (TLP), you’ll gain:
Knowledge and Tools: Training in leadership, innovation, and driving social change with a focus on DEIA.
Hands-On Experience: Develop your own initiative or contribute to impactful projects.
Personalised Mentorship: One-on-one guidance from an experienced leader to shape your leadership style.
Supportive Network: Collaborate with fellow participants, experts, and the Keychange team in a safe and inclusive environment.
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Duration: 6 months, from April to September 2026.
Participants: 43 selected future leaders from across the music industry.
Format: Combines two in-person events (Estonia and Germany) with ongoing online sessions.
Accessibility: Designed to accommodate neurodivergence, accessibility needs, and diverse learning styles.
Eligibility: Minimum 5 years experience in the music industries (we will also consider applicants with an accumulative experience of 3 years in music and 2 years in the creative industries). Over 1 year of experience in the field of DEIA (Diversity Equity Inclusivity and Accessibility). If you are a Keychange alumni you will not be able to apply (Keychange Canada and Keychange Gender Diversity In Radio however, can apply). Exceptions may apply, please email us to discuss.
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Yes, you need to be based in one of the Creative Europe countries listed HERE, in the UK, Canada or Switzerland.
We can support visa applications via providing support letters for those who need it.
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Each participant will get a baseline travel bursary. We also allocate extra funds to participants based in Canada (to cover extra travel costs), participants with childcare needs and participants with accessibility needs. Additionally, green top-ups are available for eco-friendly travel.
How do I apply?
Download this Application Criteria document:
Download the Application Content document:
Read through the Step-by-Step Guide to fill in the application:
Create a Flexigrant Account to fill in the application:
Remember that the deadline is 12th November 2025 5pm ET/ 10 pm GMT/ 11pm CET
Should you have any further questions, or if you feel like you are entitled to an exemption from the criteria please email: applications@keychange.eu . If you have any access needs, please contact us as soon as possible and by the 5th of November 5pm ET/ 10 pm GMT/ 11pm CET.
What is the selection process and next steps?
The selection committee and external advisors will assess your application based on the quality of your work, your application, and if they think now is the right time for you to be involved in the programme. Applications are scored and a shortlist of applicants are taken through to the live decision panel.