Final Keychange Leaders Programme Wraps Empowering Peer to Peer Education for a More Diverse, Inclusive, and Equitable Music Industry | Wrap Up Sessions at Reeperbahn Festival, 15-17th September 2026

Keychange will mark the effective conclusion of its Leaders Programme at wrap-up sessions to be held at next week’s Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, Germany.

Launched in November 2024, the Talent Leadership Programme (TLP) has formed part of the Keychange Leaders project, which takes action to empower talented underrepresented genders and those who overcome barriers due to their identities with training, mentoring, conference access and network support.

The initiative’s wrap up will bring together all 43 participants from 25 countries for a packed in-person programme, exclusive to the TLP cohort, which will mark the pinnacle of their efforts and learning journey. It will include an opening speech by Keychange Project Lead at Reeperbahn Festival, Christina Schäfers, in addition to the presence of esteemed experts such as Music Innovation Strategist, Agnes Chung, Senior Partnerships Manager at SoundCloud, Patricia Claper, and artist Pascal Schmid.

The Keychange Leaders Talent Leadership Programme is a 6-month interactive training programme for aspiring Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity and Accessibility (DEIA) change leaders, developing leadership techniques, building confidence and strategic skills by blending knowledge and tools with hands-on experience, personalised mentorship and access to a supportive network.

The TLP within Keychange Leaders was designed and implemented by Artist in Bloom. Ula Buyuly, educational and evaluation designer and leadership expert with the organisation, co-designed the project and was responsible for designing its leadership learning process and developing the Talent Lab programme in collaboration with the Keychange team.

The 2026 intake comprised women and gender-diverse individuals rigorously selected from 253 applicants. Participants worked collaboratively in a cooperative and action-oriented environment designed to embolden and strengthen their expertise as future leaders and agents of change, and to inspire participants in launching new projects and initiatives.

Keychange Leaders TLP alumni are anticipated to drive actions towards a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable music industry. With the philosophy that leadership is about vision and action, not just job titles, the programme endeavoured to build the skills and mindset to lead diverse teams and drive social change, welcoming participants from mid to senior level - managers, artists, entrepreneurs, and creatives. It was designed to accommodate neurodivergence, accessibility needs, and diverse learning styles, and has united participants with a shared ambition to challenge discrimination and transform the music industry, from local communities to the global stage.

Keychange Advocacy and Knowledge Manager, Christina Hazboun, says, “There is a real want within the music industry to create spaces for togetherness and networking where likeminded people can meet. Our alumni value the network and human connection they build amongst themselves and continue to provide advice and guidance to each other way beyond the programme.”

Keys Barber, Keychange TLP Participant and Founder of Amplifying Accessibility, UK, adds: "Being involved in the Keychange Leaders TLP taught me that my opportunities aren’t restricted by my country’s borders and gave me the confidence to recognise myself as a leader in music”.

Collective Learning Across Different Territories

Keychange Managing Director, Salomé Besse, comments, "Nearly a decade of Keychange work has shown: systemic cultural change for more equality in music requires the most diverse leadership possible. The TLP embeds international perspectives and intersectionality at its core. Our incredibly qualified cohort built a genuine community, culminating this week at Reeperbahn before joining our wider alumni network of nearly 400. We're past the 'awareness' stage in music. Real equality requires a cultural shift. The industry works better when decision-makers include everyone who makes the music ecosystem. And when international participants recognise they face similar barriers, solutions must be equally global, representative, built from the ground up. That's the desirable infrastructure the TLP aims to build, and we're honoured to witness participants make it their own."

Keychange Project Lead at RBX, Christina Schäfers says, “Gender equality is fundamentally about our shared values, yet it's equally critical for the sustainable economic performance of organisations. Asking uncomfortable questions now is essential to future-proof our economy and shape it for all its people. We as Keychange have consistently pioneered this vital understanding: 'Equality isn't just right, it's robust business,' and we remain committed to leading this charge.”

The programme’s current and final contingent kicked on at Tallinn Music Week (Estonia) in April 2026 and wraps with sessions exclusive to TLP participants at Germany’s Reeperbahn Festival, 15-17th September 2026 within the event’s Diversity, Participation & Cultural Responsibility pillar.

Join the Keychange Movement

Those working in the music and creative industries committed to gender equity and believing that actions and words should align are encouraged to sign the Keychange Pledge.

Note to Editors

Press Contact: emma@emmabartholomewpr.com +44 7833 306 312

About Keychange:

Keychange is a pioneering international initiative that transforms music's future by encouraging festivals and music organisations to include at least 50% women and gender-diverse individuals in their programming, staffing and beyond. Nearly 400 exceptional women and gender-diverse artists and industry professionals have been empowered through Keychange talent development programmes to date, spanning 13 countries in Europe and Canada. The Keychange Talent Leadership Program is part of the broader Keychange movement, funded by the European Union and industry partners, and committed to building a fairer, more inclusive music industry. Running until April 2027, the programme nurtures 40 new leaders based in Europe and Canada each year, creating a ripple effect that strengthens representation and equality across the global music ecosystem. Keychange aims to accelerate change and create a more inclusive music industry for present and future generations and encourages all music organisations to take the Keychange Pledge in order to achieve a more inclusive and equitable music industry .

Keychange Partners - Keychange has worked in partnership with a range of global music and cultural organisations across almost a decade. Reeperbahn Festival organiser RBX GmbH has led the Keychange partner network with support from:

PRS Foundation UK and FACTOR CA - both Founding Partners

Musikcentrum Öst SWE, Keychange BEL, Shiftworks/Tallinn Music Week EST, Music Export Poland PL, SACEM FR, Oslo World NO, Workshops of Culture Lublin/Different Sounds Festival PL, and Artist in Bloom PL. Different Sounds Festival/Workshops of Culture Lublin PL, SOCAN Foundation CA, STIM SWE, Arts Council of Sweden, GEMA DE, the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia, and Talent Norge NO.

Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. However, views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency EACEA. Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.