The inaugural Keychange Talent Leadership Program 2024/25 has come to a close, with its first cycle celebrated at this year’s Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg (17–20 September 2025). This marks the end of the first milestone within the thirty-month EU-funded initiative designed to empower underrepresented leaders in the music industry.

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“Despite initial concerns over the intensity of the program, the outcome has exceeded our expectations. Together – the Keychange Team and the whole cohort – we have co-created a vibrant learning space filled with curiosity, a willingness to take risks, readiness to embrace new challenges, and, most importantly, a spirit of empathy and mutual support; the TLP is not just a programme – it is a living laboratory of leadership and change, to which everyone contributes.” Magda Chołyst, Talent Leadership Programme Manager

Launched in November 2024, the Keychange Talent Leadership Program equips women and gender-diverse talents across Europe and Canada with the tools, knowledge, and networks to break down professional barriers and drive structural change. Each year, 42 participants partake in an intensive six-month training programme focused on leadership development, mentorship, and project creation. These projects, centred around diversity, equality, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA), will be implemented beyond the programme, ensuring sustainable impact.

The content has been divided into three modules that gradually build on skills and knowledge. Starting from “Building Critical Awareness – Foundations of DEIA” and progressing to “Building Leadership Competencies”, the programme culminates with “Leaders in Action – Developing Projects for Social Change”, which has a more hands-on and practical application of lessons learned.

Diana Ezerex, artist and activist, reflected on the impact of the programme:

“The Keychange Talent Leadership Programme was an incredible experience, offering inspiring opportunities to connect, grow, and share. I deeply valued the encouragement, empowerment, and sense of community it created and the friendships & bonds that were formed – professionally & personally – which continue to inspire me. It’s a true privilege to have been part of it,”

Reeperbahn Festival will host the culmination of all programme activities, showcasing future projects envisaged by members of the TLP cohort as a testament to the practical and sustainable development of learnings. The wrap-up will be accompanied by Keychange-curated sessions, workshops, mentoring formats, and concerts. Performing on stage will be Laura Lee & The Jettes, Airu, and Kimmortal – artists closely connected with Keychange.

About Keychange

Keychange is a pioneering international initiative that transforms music’s future by encouraging festivals and music organisations to achieve at least 50% women and gender-diverse individuals in their programming, staffing and beyond. It aims to accelerate change and create a more inclusive music industry for present and future generations.

About Keychange Talent Leadership Programme

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.

By 2027, 84 participants will have been trained through the Talent Leadership Program, contributing to a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable music ecosystem.

Over 300 exceptional women and gender-diverse artists and industry professionals have been empowered through Keychange talent development programmes so far, covering 13 countries in Europe, Canada and the U.S., and Keychange Leaders is supporting a further 42 participants based in 25 countries.

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. Funded by the European Union – Creative Europe programme

More info: www.keychange.eu.