Baltic Aid 3.0

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Launched in 2023, Baltic Aid 3.0 is an innovative program spearheaded by Musikcentrum Syd (Malmö, Sweden), UCE Agency (Tallinn, Estonia), Tak Brzmi Miasto (Krakow, Poland), and Music Export Ukraine (Kyiv, Ukraine), with support from the Swedish Institute. The program aims to revolutionize the future of music by nurturing a vibrant ecosystem for self-managed artists and independent artist managers, helping them unlock their full potential. In February 2024, following the initial innovators’ gathering in Malmö in 2023, the broader network team held their first full meeting in Krakow. The Music Export Ukraine team had the pleasure of participating in two intense days of networking, innovation, and collaborative creation with colleagues from Sweden, Estonia, and Poland.

Our time in Krakow was packed with valuable insights and hands-on experience:

  • We honed our skills in networking at music events and showcases, learning how to foster meaningful connections.
  • We embraced the concept of allyship in music, testing ways to better represent gender and racial diversity as well as genre variety in festivals and different environments while tackling important topics of equality and inclusion.
  • We explored and implemented agile working methods tailored to the music industry.
  • Special attention was given to updates on the Ukrainian music industry and security issues, ensuring we remain aligned with our international peers to build long-lasting, impactful partnerships.
  • Together, we mapped out our collective expertise, resources, and projects, identifying overlapping needs and opportunities while sowing the seeds for future collaborations.

Baltic Aid 3.0 emphasizes creating a peer-to-peer learning community, where alumni, organizations, and external experts collaboratively engage in a speculative, experimental process. This approach aims to cultivate change agents who will drive sustainable innovation and disrupt traditional, top-down structures in the music industry.

In the heart of a vibrant, springtime Tallinn, the Baltic Aid 3.0 innovators’ team gathered once again, immersing ourselves in both the city’s charm and hands-on learning. Between wandering the historic Old Town and exploring the dynamic Telliskivi Creative City, innovators team  dove deep into practical workshops and meaningful discussions.

One of the highlights was the “Penguin” Workshop: The 3Cs of Listening, led by Tanya. We delved into the art of effective communication, sharpening our listening skills through Curiosity, Compassion, and Courage. This transformative session encouraged active, mindful listening, creating deeper connections between participants as both listeners and speakers. It was an incredible bonding experience that brought our team even closer.

Our exploration didn’t stop there. We also had the privilege of visiting Music Estonia and further exploring the creative pulse of Telliskivi. A fascinating presentation on Complete Career / Complete Education shed light on the tools musicians need for long-term success. We wrapped up the day with a powerful discussion on education for musicians, featuring insights from a collaborative program by the Polish Musicians Union, Tak Brzmi Miasto, and Estonia’s esteemed music school, MUBA. This gathering was yet another stepping stone in our mission to foster sustainable careers and push the boundaries of innovation in the music industry.

As summer drew to a close, in August Music Export Ukraine had the pleasure of welcoming our international colleagues to Lviv. Keeping Ukraine connected to the global cultural scene, even during these difficult times, remains a top priority for us.

Part of the networking team traveled to Ukraine and our time together kicked off with an inspiring lecture from Anton (Ship Her Son) and @mari4i4ka, held at the Нижній Зал в Театрі Ляльок in the Lviv Regional Puppet Theater. They shared their powerful insights on resilience and crisis management, offering a glimpse into the strategies we’ve been using in Ukraine to navigate the challenges we face today.

We also visited the iconic JamFactory to explore opportunities for international collaboration. The day culminated in a special networking event at the Lviv Municipal Art Center, co-hosted by Porichka - музична спільнота, where the wider Ukrainian music community gathered with our foreign guests. It was a night full of connection, new partnerships, and the foundation for future collaborations between local and international artists.

A huge thank you to all who made this experience unforgettable, especially our colleagues from Musikcentrum Syd (Sweden), UCE Agency (Estonia), and Tak Brzmi Miasto (Poland). Their support was invaluable, and we’re excited to continue building bridges through music. Together, we’ll keep moving forward, creating new opportunities and supporting each other along the way!

Stay tuned for more updates on the project as in December the networking team is going to Malmo!