Supporting Music Artists with Culture Moves Europe

© European Union

Between 2023 and 2025, I served as an external evaluator for the EU’s flagship mobility programme for artists, Culture Moves Europe (CME). Over this period, I reviewed more than 300 music applications across both the residency action and individual mobility strands of the programme.

What’s CME?

It’s a mobility grant for individual artists and cultural professionals or groups of up to 5 people. Funding can be used for travel and subsistence expenses, plus individual top-ups (for example, for greener travel or childcare costs). Projects can last 7 to 60 days for individuals and 7 to 21 days for groups. The grant supports new artistic creation; it cannot be used to present previously created work. Calls are rolling, with grants awarded monthly.

Residencies are also supported: host organisations can invite artists and cultural professionals from another country for 21 to 90 days.

In both cases, CME enables grantees to explore, create, learn and connect across borders.

Programme impact to date

In its first edition, CME has supported more than 7,000 artists and cultural professionals, significantly strengthening cross-border collaboration and Europe’s cultural ecosystem. The programme (which is designed to remove practical and financial barriers to international collaboration) has had a particularly tangible impact on emerging talent. For example, around:

• Skills development: 97.7% of grantees report developing new skills, particularly in internationalising their careers and enhancing artistic abilities;

• Career opportunities: 76.2% of participants indicate their mobility led to a job offer, new contract or project opportunity;

• Project feasibility: 77.9% of grantees would not have been able to realise their project without the CME grant.

An evaluator’s perspective

In evaluating CME applications, I worked within a structured framework focused on relevance, impact and sustainability:

• For mobility projects, I assessed objectives, preparation and expected outcomes, looking for projects that address two (of the programme’s four) objectives above. The strongest applications demonstrated that mobility was integral and the proposed duration was proportionate to the aims. They also included a clear work plan and articulated the potential for lasting artistic outputs or partnerships beyond the funded period.

• For residencies, I focused on working environments, fair participant selection, mentorship and collaborative impact, making sure the space would foster meaningful exchange. Accessibility of both premises and accommodation was a key consideration for me - and, in practice, remains a significant differentiator, as only a small number of hosts fully addressed it.

• Across both strands: I reviewed environmentally conscious practices, ensuring alignment with EU priorities and maximising opportunities for sustainable cultural collaboration.

Each application is assessed by two independent evaluators before being considered by a jury, so I’m proud to have played a part in this rigorous selection process.

Thinking of applying?

I’m keen to support artists and organisations across Creative Europe countries in preparing applications for this type of EU funding (check out the latest CME call guidelines for individual mobility and residencies, including the list of eligible countries). Get in touch to discover how I can help strengthen your proposal and maximise your chances of success!