![\"Na](\"https:\/\/warsztatykultury.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/keychange.jpg\" "\\"Keychange\\"")
<\/span><\/div>Keychange will mark the effective conclusion of its Leaders Programme at wrap-up sessions to be held at next week\u2019s Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, Germany. It’s a special programme for leaders across the music industry.<\/strong><\/p>\n In 2019, as part of the East of Culture \u2013 Different Sounds festival, we joined the impressive global list of signatories to the extraordinary initiative that is Keychange. Two years later, in 2021, we became the network\u2019s official Polish partner, which had a direct impact on our ongoing activities and on shaping the festival\u2019s mission around an ever-greater commitment to inclusivity.<\/p>\n As a result, audiences in Lublin have had the opportunity over the years to see outstanding female artists and innovators perform on our stage, all participating in this international movement supporting women and members of minorities in the European music scene.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The initiative\u2019s 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 Sch\u00e4fers, 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Keychange Advocacy and Knowledge Manager, Christina Hazboun, says,<\/p>\n 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.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Keys Barber, Keychange TLP Participant and Founder of Amplifying Accessibility, UK, adds:<\/p>\n Being involved in the Keychange Leaders TLP taught me that my opportunities aren\u2019t restricted by my country\u2019s borders and gave me the confidence to recognise myself as a leader in music.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Keychange Managing Director, Salom\u00e9 Besse, comments,<\/p>\n 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.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Keychange Project Lead at RBX, Christina Sch\u00e4fers says,<\/p>\n 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: \u201cEquality isn’t just right, it’s robust business,\u201d and we remain committed to leading this charge.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The programme\u2019s current and final contingent kicked off at Tallinn Music Week (Estonia) in April 2026 and wraps with sessions exclusive to TLP participants at Germany\u2019s Reeperbahn Festival, 15-17th September 2026 within the event\u2019s Diversity, Participation & Cultural Responsibility pillar.<\/p>\n The East of Culture \u2013 Different Sounds<\/strong><\/a> festival is a tribute to musicians who choose authenticity over popularity built on artistic compromise. At a time when culture is increasingly becoming a luxury commodity, Different Sounds serves as a reminder that quality should never be a privilege. It is an event for those who believe that music can be a space for encounter, reflection, and a sense of community\u2014not merely consumption. For seekers who understand that the greatest revelations emerge where there are no ready-made answers. In a world where everything seems to have a price, Different Sounds offers something beyond value: a moment when sound becomes a language of communication and the audience becomes a co-creator of the experience.<\/p>\n More information about the festival can be found at innebrzmienia.eu<\/strong><\/a> and nck.pl\/projekty-kulturalne\/projekty\/wschod-kultury<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Different Sounds in the Keychange Programme<\/h2>\n
Keychange 2026<\/h2>\n
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Collective learning across different territories<\/h2>\n
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About the East of Culture \u2013 Different Sounds<\/h2>\n