On 12 February 2026, the new edition of the AEC–ECSA–EJN–JMI Mentorship Programme was officially launched with a kick-off meeting in Helsinki, in the frame of the AEC Pop and Jazz Platform (PJP) at Metropolia University. The event marked the starting point of a six-month journey designed to support emerging female and non-binary artists across Europe.
The Mentorship Programme is a joint EU co-funded initiative of four leading European networks: the European Association of Conservatoires (AEC), the European Composer and Songwriter Alliance (ECSA), the Europe Jazz Network (EJN), and Jeunesses Musicales International (JMI, through its Ethno programme). Together, the partners aim to foster greater gender equality, diversity, and visibility in the European music sector.
This autumn, AEC launched a call for mentees addressed to students and alumni of AEC member institutions. Following a careful selection process, nine mentees were chosen to participate in the programme. In parallel, nine experienced composers, songwriters, and performers were selected as mentors by the partner networks. The cross-genre collaboration ensures a rich and diverse mentoring environment.
The Helsinki kick-off meeting provided the first opportunity for mentors and mentees to meet in person. During the afternoon session, participants were introduced to the structure of the programme, its timeline, and the expected outcomes. The six-month mentoring period (April–September 2026) will include at least three individual online meetings between each mentor and mentee, focusing on artistic development, career guidance, and navigating the professional music landscape.
Beyond practical information, the atmosphere of the meeting was characterised by openness, curiosity, and a strong sense of shared purpose. Participants exchanged experiences, discussed expectations, and began building the trust that will underpin their mentoring relationships.
The programme will conclude with a dissemination event in March 2027, organised in the framework of ECSA’s Creators Conference in Brussels, where outcomes and experiences will be shared with a wider audience.
With the Helsinki kick-off, the AEC–ECSA–EJN–JMI Mentorship Programme has moved from planning to action. From AEC, we warmly wish all participants an inspiring, enriching, and truly fruitful journey of collaboration, exchange, and shared learning in the months ahead.
