The AEC was invited to contribute to the Music4D international conference, “Extended Partnerships: From State of the Art to Strategies for the Future,” held on October 21-22, 2025, at the Conservatorio A. Scarlatti in Palermo.
Focus on Digital Innovation and PNRR Management
The two-day conference, hosted by the Conservatorio A. Scarlatti (lead partner for the Music4D project), focused on building and consolidating internationalisation processes for Research and Innovation within the Italian Higher Artistic and Musical Education (AFAM) system.
The core discussion centered on how to manage Extended Partnerships (EPs) funded by the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), specifically addressing:
- Digital Transformation: The future steps of digitalisation in music education, including the impact of Artificial Intelligence and advanced technologies on reshaping artistic performance and teaching.
- Regulatory Challenges: Navigating the complex normative framework and addressing critical issues such as accountability, monitoring systems, and the strict rules for PNRR fund compliance
AEC’s Contribution: Managing Complex Consortia
As a key partner in the Music4D project, which unites music conservatories across Sicily and Sardinia with engineering and research departments, AEC was invited to contribute its international expertise.
Alessandra Callegari, AEC Communication Manager, presented in the session dedicated to Effective Management Systems, with an online talk titled “Management of Partnerships and Critical Issues in Large Project Consortia.”.
The presentation offered key strategies and insights for effective transnational collaboration, including:
- Conflict Resolution and Transparency: Examining management strategies for effective communication, transparency, and conflict resolution within large consortia.
- Bridging Cultures: Addressing the challenge of coordinating partners with different cultures and working styles, particularly balancing the artistic and pedagogical culture of conservatories with the technical and scientific culture of university engineering and research departments.
- Best Practices: Sharing a “Roadmap” for success, which included advice on centralising information, anticipating risks, and using a Clustering Strategy to connect with other EU-funded initiatives to maximise impact and policy influence.
AEC’s involvement underscores its role in helping partners “Turn your local success into an international story” and ensuring the long-term impact and sustainability of innovation in the Higher Music Education sector.
Rewatch the session here:
