As part of IMPALA’s Faces of the Independent Sector storytelling series, co-funded by the European Union, and celebrating our 25th anniversary, we are sharing the tenth interview in the series with Colm Hanley, Managing Director of AIM Ireland. This instalment comes following IMPALA’s meetings and the second European Independent Music Summit in Dublin early this month, which coincided with Ireland Music Week, and spotlights the work of our hosts, AIM Ireland, the Association of Independent Music.

IMPALA has released its sixth Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Report, highlighting progress made over the past year and the work still ahead.

We, the undersigned organisations representing Europe’s music sector, oppose the
proposed 30% cut to the budget of AgoraEU. We urge Member States and the Irish
Presidency to restore at a minimum the Commission’s proposed budget, work
towards Parliament’s higher ambition, and secure dedicated, ring-fenced funding for
music in the EU’s 2028–2034 budget.

This article, which was featured in the WIN Annual Report 2025-26, highlights the key aspects of WIN’s collaboration with its European member IMPALA as part of its EU-funded network programme. You can also read the featured interview with IMPALA’s Executive Chair Helen Smith.