JMI's Digibazar

We live in an era of unprecedented digital transformation. The music sector, especially its nonprofit actors, are notorious for not keeping up with modern trends in technological development. The COVID-19 pandemic forced music organisations to move many of their practices online, but few have really adjusted or created new business models and are instead adopting a “back to normal” approach instead of finding the balance between virtual and physical. If Europe’s cultural institutions are not properly prepared for an infinitely more digital future, the role they will be able to play in it for their people will be significantly diminished and will certainly be filled by multinationals with very different objectives.

JM International, as the world’s largest youth-music movement, has always endeavoured to meet young people where they are and to communicate with them in the mediums and manners in which they can relate. This has become an increasingly difficult challenge over the last 10 years as new social networks arise, technologies advance and new generations bring new perspectives and ideas, vastly different to that of their predecessors. Throughout JMI membership and partners in more than 80 countries worldwide, we see similar trends, which cause concern when juxtaposed with the new digital era on our doorstep. There are challenges to be met head-on to support new ways of working to recover from the pandemic as well as to build future resilience.

With JMI DigiBazar, the aim is to support the music sector's process of digital transformation, by creating spaces (both digital and physical) where we can empower the sector to move towards digital working models that support their physical activities. The project builds on the foundation of JMI’s Mubazar platform, a digital tool that allows for new ways of working, where music organisers can run their calls online and where musicians and music practitioners have a centralised point from which they can discover relevant opportunities based on their interests and needs. With further support we can bring this innovative tool to the European music sector, creating greater access for musicians and music practitioners, saving time and facilitating new revenue streams and ways of engaging digitally with European music organisers.