This page is designed to help live music organisations navigate EU funding programmes and identify those that could fit their projects. Start with our quick test to find out whether you are ready to lead an EU project consortium, then explore our glossary to understand common EU funding terms and requirements. You can then browse funding opportunities specifically targeting music, the wider cultural sector, or other EU programmes where live music projects may also be eligible. To make comparison easier, we have also created a summary chart bringing together the essential information about each programme in one place.
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Chart recap of the main programmes
| Programme | Best for | Geographic scale | Budget | Administrative complexity | Success rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Beat Nexus | Greening of sector | TBA | TBA | Low | TBA |
| Creative Europe – Cooperation Calls | Artistic cooperation, capacity-building actions, innovation | Transnational cooperation (3 countries minimum) | €200 000 to €2 million depending on scope of projects | Medium to high, depending on scope of project | 8% |
| Culture Moves Europe | Mobility of individuals, artistic residencies | Mobility to 1 participating country | A few thousand euros | Low | 38% |
| Erasmus+ | Training, life-long learning | Transnational cooperation | €30 000 to €400 000 depending on scope of project | Medium to high, depending on scope of project | 19% |
| Interreg | Territorial cooperation and development | Cross-border or EU region | €25 000 to €5 million depending on scope of project | Medium to high, depending on scope of project | Unknown |
| CERV+ | Cooperation actions on gender equality and inclusion | National or transnational | €100 000 to €750 000 depending on scope of project | Medium to high, depending on scope of project | Around 5% (but depends on the call and year) |
Other sources of funding are also detailed below, including Horizon Europe, the European Social Fund+, the European Regional Development Fund and InvestEU.
General information and glossary
Most European funding programmes share a number of common administrative and financial principles. While each programme has its own specific rules, applicants should be aware of the following requirements before preparing a proposal.
Cascading Grant
A Cascading Grant is a funding scheme where the European Commission first finances a large project or consortium, which then redistributes part of its budget through smaller open calls to organisations, artists or professionals. Instead of applying directly to the European Commission, applicants apply to the consortium managing the grant.
For live music venues, clubs, festivals and networks, cascading grants are often one of the most accessible ways to receive EU funding. The calls are designed and managed by organisations from the sector itself, meaning they are usually more closely aligned with the realities, needs and capacities of music organisations. Applications are generally lighter, budgets smaller, and administrative requirements lower than in most mainstream EU programmes. Oftentimes, no co-funding is required (and projects are financed at 100%).
Examples in the music sector include:
- MusicAIRE (closed, 2021 – 2023) emergency support and recovery actions for the music sector after the COVID-19 crisis.
- LIVEMX (closed, 2023 – 2026) support for live music organisations, venues, festivals and professionals through grants focused on circulation, audience engagement and sustainability.
- Green Beat Nexus (to be open, December 2026 – 2028) support for environmental transition projects in the music sector through funding and capacity-building activities.
Co-Funding Requirements
With the exception of Green Beat Nexus, Culture Moves Europe and some INTERREG Micro-projects, many EU programmes do not cover 100% of project costs. Beneficiaries are often expected to contribute a percentage of the budget through their own resources, public funding, private sponsorship or other non-EU sources. Co-funding rates vary depending on the programme.
EU Added Value
EU Added Value refers to the benefit of carrying out a project at European level rather than only at local, regional or national level. In practice, this means that the project creates results, knowledge, methods or cooperation that can be shared, transferred or replicated beyond the organisations and countries directly involved.
A project can demonstrate EU Added Value in many ways: through cross-border or transnational cooperation, intercultural exchange, shared learning between countries, the promotion of EU values and content, the development of solutions that can be adapted elsewhere in Europe, or by scaling up successful practices beyond a single territory. In most EU funding programmes, the project is expected to generate benefits that extend beyond the direct participants and contribute in some way to the wider European ecosystem. Most EU programmes also rely on EU frameworks, such as the European Green Deal, for instance.
The exact definition of EU Added Value varies from one programme and call to another, so it is important to check how it is assessed in the specific funding opportunity you are applying for. However, as a general rule, applying for EU funding means demonstrating why your project matters not only to your organisation or country, but also to Europe as a whole.
Indirect Costs
In addition to direct project costs (staff, travel, subcontracting, etc.), many EU programmes allow beneficiaries to claim indirect costs. These are costs that support the organisation’s general operations but cannot be directly attributed to a specific project, such as office rent, utilities, internet, accounting services, administrative support or office equipment.
In most programmes, indirect costs are calculated automatically as a fixed percentage of eligible direct costs and do not require detailed justification. Beneficiaries should always check the specific rules of the funding programme, as the applicable rate and calculation method may vary.
Legal Status
Applicants generally need to be legally established organisations (associations, foundations, public bodies, companies, universities, etc.) based in an eligible country with a 2-year-old existence. Few initiatives allow individuals to apply (e.g. Culture Moves Europe).
No Double Funding
European Union funding cannot be used to finance the same activity, cost or project twice. An organisation may receive support from several EU programmes, but the same expenditure cannot be declared under more than one grant. Beneficiaries must therefore ensure a clear separation of activities and budgets across different projects.
Participant Identification Code (PIC)
For the majority of the programmes, organisations are required to register in the EU Funding & Tenders Portal and obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC). We recommend to register your organisation anyway as it is also mandatory when becoming full partner as part of an application.
Staff costs and Person-Months (PM)
In many programmes, staff costs are calculated based on the amount of time dedicated to the project. This is often expressed in Person-Months (PM).
One Person-Month corresponds to the work carried out by one person working full-time on the project for one month.
For budgeting purposes, the European Commission generally considers a full-time workload of 215 working days per year, which corresponds to approximately 18 working days per month (215 ÷ 12 = 17.9).
To convert working days into Person-Months, you can use the following formula: Person-Months (PM) = Number of working days ÷ 18
Example 1: Project coordinator
- Works 2 days per month on the project for 18 months
- Total working days: 2 × 18 = 36 days
- PM calculation: 36 ÷ 18 = 2 PM
Example 2: Communication officer
- Works 1 day per week for one year
- Total working days: approximately 52 days
- PM calculation: 52 ÷ 18 = 2.9 PM
When preparing a budget, it is therefore useful to estimate how many working days each staff member will dedicate to the project and convert this into Person-Months. The PMs are then multiplied by the relevant salary rate or unit cost, depending on the rules of the programme.
Type of Funding
Lump Sum Funding
Under a lump sum grant, the project budget is agreed in advance as a fixed amount, usually linked to specific work packages, activities or results. Payments are based on the completion of the agreed work rather than on the reimbursement of individual expenses. Beneficiaries do not need to report actual costs to the funding authority, but they must demonstrate that the activities and deliverables described in the grant agreement have been successfully implemented.
Actual Costs Funding
Under an actual costs grant, the European Union reimburses eligible expenses that have actually been incurred during the implementation of the project. Beneficiaries must declare their real costs and keep supporting documentation, such as contracts, invoices, payslips, timesheets and proof of payment. The EU contribution is calculated on the basis of these reported and validated costs, according to the funding rules of the programme.
European funding for music
Green Beat Nexus
A support scheme focused on environmental transition in the music sector, providing funding and guidance for projects addressing sustainability challenges. It is designed for organisations such as venues, festivals or music professionals willing to test and implement greener practices. The open calls offer financial support combined with capacity-building to develop concrete, low-impact solutions.
European funding for culture
Creative Europe – Cooperation Calls
The Creative Europe programme is the primary EU funding scheme for the cultural and creative sectors, supporting various initiatives in live music. The Cooperation calls are the ones most fitted for live music venues, clubs or festivals, as well as live music associations.
Culture Moves Europe
Culture Moves Europe provides mobility grants for artists and cultural professionals, including those in live music.
European funding outside culture (but relevant for music organisations)
Erasmus+
Erasmus+ supports transnational projects focused on learning, skills and professional exchange, where live music actors (venues, festivals, networks) can take part by developing training activities, peer-learning formats and capacity-building initiatives for their teams and communities.
CERV+
CERV+ aims to protect and promote EU rights and values by supporting civil society initiatives on equality, participation, democracy, anti-discrimination and prevention of violence. CERV is not a cultural programme, but culture can be the tool through which rights-related objectives are achieved.
Interreg
Interreg supports cross-border and transnational cooperation projects aimed at regional development, where live music actors (venues, festivals, networks) can participate as partners by contributing to cultural, social or tourism-related initiatives anchored in local territories.
Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe is the EU’s main funding programme for research and innovation, supporting collaborative projects that address global challenges such as climate change while strengthening knowledge, technology and policy development. It aims to boost competitiveness, support job creation and maximise the impact of innovation across Europe, with participation open to organisations from EU and associated countries.
European Social Fund+
ESF+ supports projects focused on employment, inclusion, training and skills, where live music actors can have a role if the project addresses social or professional needs, for example training young people, supporting access to jobs, or inclusion through cultural work.
European Regional Development Fund
The European Regional Development Fund supports regional development projects by funding infrastructure, investment and innovation, where live music actors (venues, festivals, networks) can be involved when projects contribute to local development, urban regeneration or cultural facilities.
InvestEU
InvestEU is an EU financial programme that supports investment projects by providing guarantees to banks and financial partners, helping organisations access loans and financing in areas such as sustainability, innovation, and cultural and creative sectors.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is based on research and experience with EU funding programmes. While every effort has been made to ensure that the content is accurate and up to date, some errors or omissions may remain. Live DMA cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies contained in these documents. The information may also evolve over time, and we will do our best to update it regularly. This webpage should not replace your own research, nor direct contact with the relevant agencies or support services that may assist you in preparing an application.