Keychange Leaders Open Call: A Unique Opportunity for Change Agents to Shape the Future of Music
Applications are now open for the Creative Europe-funded initiative aimed at women and gender-diverse individuals committed to driving diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in the music industry. This is your chance to become a change-maker in music, grow your leadership skills, and join a movement dedicated to building a more inclusive and equitable music industry.
Keychange Talent Lab at Reeperbahn Festival ©LidijaDelovska
Keychange is thrilled to announce that applications for the Talent Leadership Programme (TLP) 2025–2026 are now open. This Creative Europe-funded initiative is a unique opportunity for women and gender-diverse professionals and artists to grow as leaders, connect with an international network, and create lasting impact in the music industry.
“The Talent Leadership Programme is the first Keychange capacity-building initiative to fully implement an innovative learning scheme with an ambitious curriculum and a transformative, carefully crafted learning journey. The programme is developed and facilitated by Keychange partner Artist in Bloom, in collaboration with other Keychange Leaders Partners.”
Magda Chołyst, Talent Leadership Programme Manager
The Talent Leadership Programme is a hands-on, six-month training experience that gives participants the tools, knowledge, and support to drive change in their organisations, communities, and beyond. Each year, 43 participants from Europe and Canada come together to explore leadership, social change, entrepreneurship, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) principles while building a vibrant network of like-minded peers.
“Keychange gave me access to leadership training I wouldn’t have otherwise received, opening my eyes to the many dimensions of what it takes to be a truly inclusive and impactful leader. The programme created space to reflect, grow and learn alongside an inspiring cohort, while building connections with incredible organisers and peers across the music industry. It’s an empowering experience I would encourage anyone with leadership ambitions to take part in.”
Karma Bertelsen, Keychange Leaders TLP 2025 Participant
Programme Highlights
Format: 24 online sessions and 2 in-person events.
Connecting with 43 aspiring professionals and artists based in Europe and Canada.
Curriculum: Interactive workshops, mentorship, and team-based projects designed to implement DEIA.
Impact: Participants develop real-world projects to make the music industry more inclusive and equitable.
Meeting with the Network:
Kick-off at Tallinn Music Week, Estonia, April 9–12, 2026.
Wrap-up at Reeperbahn Festival, Germany, September 16–19, 2026.
Eligibility Criteria
Identity: Only women and gender-diverse people (cis-men cannot apply).
Location: Must be based in a Creative Europe country, UK, Switzerland, or Canada.
Experience: Minimum 5 years in the music industry (or 3 years in music + 2 in creative industries).
DEIA work: At least 1 year of DEIA-related activities.
Commitment: Must attend both in-person Talent Labs (Tallinn Music Week in April 2026 + Reeperbahn Festival in Sept 2026) and complete the 6-month programme with sessions for at least 2h per week (April–Sept 2026).
How to Apply
Applications will open on the 30th of September at 04:00 am EST/ 09:00 am BST/ 10:00 am CEST via LINK The deadline to apply is 12th November 2025, 5 pm EST/ 10 pm GMT/11 pm CET.
Join the Keychange network of 300+ alumni and 700+ pledge signatories internationally – a global movement dedicated to diversity, equity, and change. Since its inception, Keychange has empowered hundreds of artists and professionals, inspiring meaningful shifts toward gender equality and diversity in music. The Keychange Leaders programme is the latest milestone in this journey, designed to amplify the voices of new leaders eager to drive positive, sustainable change across the industry.
Notes to Editors
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. Over 300 exceptional women and gender-diverse artists and industry professionals have been empowered through Keychange talent development programmes so far, spanning over 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 42 new leaders from Europe and Canada each year, creating a ripple effect that strengthens representation and equality across the global music ecosystem.
In 2026 Keychange Leaders will be supporting a further 43 participants based in 25 countries.
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 achive a more inclusive and equitable music industry. Join the Keychange Pledge at https://www.keychange.eu/the-keychange-pledge
Keychange Leaders partners are: Reeperbahn Festival/RBX, Shiftworks/Tallinn Music Week, Musikcentrum Öst, Keychange (ASBL), Music Export Poland, SACEM, Oslo World, Workshops of Culture Lublin/Different Sounds Festival, Artist in Bloom, PRS Foundation, FACTOR, SOCAN Foundation, STIM, Arts Council of Sweden, GEMA, the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia, and Talent Norge.
For more information, visit: https://www.keychange.eu/
Find all Keychange talents here.
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