The Music Moves Europe Award (MME Award) is an annual European Union prize that recognizes emerging artists who have achieved cross-border success with their first international release. Originally launched in 2004 as the European Border Breakers Awards (EBBA), the prize was rebranded in 2019. The 2026 winners were announced on January 15, 2026, at the Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) festival in Groningen, Netherlands.
How the Music Moves Europe Award Works
The European Commission funds and oversees the award, with Eurosonic Noorderslag organizing the ceremony. The selection process follows three criteria:
- Cross-border success: The artist's first international release must have achieved measurable success in European countries outside their home territory during the past year.
- Radio airplay: The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) radio channels must have given the artist meaningful airplay.
- Festival presence: The artist must have performed successfully at European festivals outside their home country, tracked through the European Talent Exchange Program (ETEP).
Each year, 15 emerging European artists are nominated. All nominees perform at the ESNS festival and receive a training program. An expert jury selects the Grand Jury MME Award winner and five additional MME Award winners. Fans vote online for the Public Choice Award from the same pool of 15 nominees.
The ceremony takes place every January in Groningen during ESNS. It is recorded by Dutch public broadcaster NOS/NTR and broadcast on NPO 3 and other European television channels.
Real-World Example: The 2026 Music Moves Europe Awards
The 2026 ceremony recognized six winners from a pool of 15 nominees. Lia Kali from Spain won both the Grand Jury MME Award and the Public Choice Award, marking a sweep of the top two honors. The five MME Award winners were Sofie Royer (Austria), Camille Yembe (Belgium), Sarah Julia (Netherlands), Della (Cyprus), and Carpetman (Ukraine).
The 2025 edition saw Yame (France) win the Grand Jury MME Award, with Judeline (Spain) taking the Public Choice Award. Other 2025 MME Award winners included Kingfishr (Ireland), Naomi Sharon (Netherlands), Night Tapes (Estonia), and Uche Yara (Austria).
Past winners who went on to global success include Dua Lipa (2018), Rosalia (2019), and Stromae (2014).
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
The Music Moves Europe Award is specifically designed for emerging artists, not established stars. If you are an independent European artist, this award targets your exact career stage. The nomination criteria reward cross-border streaming and festival performance, not label backing or commercial radio dominance.
All 15 nominees receive a professional training program and a performance slot at ESNS, one of Europe's most important showcase festivals. This exposure alone can lead to booking agent signings, festival slots, and distribution deals. Past winners like Dua Lipa and Rosalia used the award as a springboard to international careers.
If you are an independent artist from an EU member state, focus on releasing music that crosses borders and booking festival dates outside your home country. Track your international streaming numbers using our Streaming Royalty Calculator. Submit your releases to ETEP-affiliated festivals to increase your chances of nomination. Visit the Music Moves Europe Awards page for eligibility details.
Award Categories Explained
The Music Moves Europe Awards present 7 awards each year from a pool of 15 nominees:
- Grand Jury MME Award: The top prize, selected by an international expert jury from the 15 nominees. The winner receives 10,000 euros plus a 5,000-euro green touring voucher for sustainable touring.
- MME Award (5 winners): Five additional awards selected by the jury from the same nominee pool. Each winner receives 10,000 euros. Winners are chosen based on cross-border success, radio airplay, and festival presence.
- Public Choice Award: Decided by online fan voting from the same 15 nominees. The winner receives 5,000 euros and a Spotify session in Stockholm. This award can be won by the same artist who wins the Grand Jury Award.
All 15 nominees receive a performance slot at the ESNS festival in Groningen and participate in the MME Education Programme, which provides industry training and networking opportunities.
Notable Past Winners
The following tables cover all MME Award winners from 2021 through the most recent ceremony in 2026.
2026 Winners (announced January 15, 2026, at ESNS Groningen):
| Year | Category | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Grand Jury MME Award | Lia Kali (Spain) |
| 2026 | MME Award | Sofie Royer (Austria) |
| 2026 | MME Award | Camille Yembe (Belgium) |
| 2026 | MME Award | Sarah Julia (Netherlands) |
| 2026 | MME Award | Della (Cyprus) |
| 2026 | MME Award | Carpetman (Ukraine) |
| 2026 | Public Choice Award | Lia Kali (Spain) |
2025 Winners (announced January 16, 2025, at ESNS Groningen):
| Year | Category | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Grand Jury MME Award | Yame (France) |
| 2025 | MME Award | Judeline (Spain) |
| 2025 | MME Award | Kingfishr (Ireland) |
| 2025 | MME Award | Naomi Sharon (Netherlands) |
| 2025 | MME Award | Night Tapes (Estonia) |
| 2025 | MME Award | Uche Yara (Austria) |
| 2025 | Public Choice Award | Judeline (Spain) |
2024 Winners:
| Year | Category | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Grand Jury MME Award | Zaho de Sagazan (France) |
| 2024 | MME Award | Yune Pinku (Ireland) |
| 2024 | MME Award | Bulgarian Cartrader (Bulgaria) |
| 2024 | MME Award | Giift (Denmark) |
| 2024 | MME Award | freekind. (Slovenia) |
| 2024 | MME Award | Ralphie Choo (Spain) |
| 2024 | Public Choice Award | Zaho de Sagazan (France) |
2023 Winners:
| Year | Category | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Grand Jury MME Award | Sans Soucis (Italy) |
| 2023 | MME Award | July Jones (Slovenia) |
| 2023 | MME Award | Kids Return (France) |
| 2023 | MME Award | OSKA (Austria) |
| 2023 | MME Award | Queralt Lahoz (Spain) |
| 2023 | MME Award | Schmyt (Germany) |
| 2023 | Public Choice Award | Jerry Heil (Ukraine) |
2022 Winners:
| Year | Category | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Grand Jury MME Award | Meskerem Mees (Belgium) |
| 2022 | MME Award | Mezerg (France) |
| 2022 | MME Award | Alina Pash (Ukraine) |
| 2022 | MME Award | Denise Chaila (Ireland) |
| 2022 | MME Award | Deva (Hungary) |
| 2022 | MME Award | Blanks (Netherlands) |
| 2022 | Public Choice Award | Ladaniva (Armenia) |
2021 Winners (Music Moves Europe Talent Awards):
| Year | Category | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | MME Award | Alyona Alyona (Ukraine) |
| 2021 | MME Award | Inhaler (Ireland) |
| 2021 | MME Award | Julia Bardo (Italy) |
| 2021 | MME Award | Lous and the Yakuza (Belgium) |
| 2021 | MME Award | Melenas (Spain) |
| 2021 | MME Award | Rimon (Netherlands) |
| 2021 | MME Award | Sassy 009 (Norway) |
| 2021 | MME Award | Vilda (Finland) |
| 2021 | Public Choice Award | Alyona Alyona (Ukraine) |
Note: The Grand Jury Award was introduced in 2022. In 2021, 8 winners were selected without a Grand Jury distinction. Lia Kali (2026) and Zaho de Sagazan (2024) both swept the Grand Jury Award and Public Choice Award in their respective years.
Video Highlights
Eligibility and Submission Info
- Who qualifies: Emerging European artists who have achieved cross-border success with their first international release. Artists must be from a country participating in the Creative Europe programme (EU member states plus associated countries like Ukraine, Norway, and Iceland). Artists cannot have already won an MME Award.
- Selection criteria (3 factors): (1) Cross-border success: the artist's first international release must have achieved measurable success in European countries outside their home territory. (2) Radio airplay: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) radio channels must have given the artist meaningful airplay. (3) Festival presence: the artist must have performed at European festivals outside their home country, tracked through the European Talent Exchange Program (ETEP).
- How entries are submitted: Artists cannot apply directly. Nominees are selected based on professional recommendations, streaming data, ETEP festival performance data, and EBU radio airplay tracking. The selection is managed by ESNS and Reeperbahn Festival.
- Timing: Nominees are announced in October at the SoAlive Music Conference. The ceremony takes place in January at ESNS in Groningen.
- Fees: There is no application fee. The award is co-funded by the European Commission's Creative Europe programme.
- Prize money: Each MME Award winner receives 10,000 euros. The Grand Jury Award winner receives an additional 5,000-euro green touring voucher. The Public Choice Award winner receives 5,000 euros and a Spotify session in Stockholm.
Similar Awards
- Grammy Awards - Compare with the American music industry's top honor
- Brit Awards - The UK's main national music awards with a rising star category
- Polaris Music Prize - Canadian critic-based prize for emerging and established artists
- Choice Music Prize - Ireland's critic-based album prize
- Mercury Prize - UK critic-based album prize for emerging and established artists
Related Resources
- Streaming Royalty Calculator - Track cross-border streaming performance
- Tour Revenue Calculator - Plan festival appearances that support MME nomination
- 21 Ways Musicians Can Earn Income - Build revenue streams alongside awards strategy
- Music Festivals Directory - Find European festivals through ETEP
- Grammy Awards - Compare with the American music industry's top honor
