The music industry gathers in Maputo for 2 days of conference, music and debate, not to mention the prizes: six young people had the chance to come to Italy!

How did the first Music Hackathon arise in Mozambique? Since the adventure of the Building with The Music project began, we have often come across the challenges and problems that afflict the Mozambican music industry. During the month of March 2024, we conducted a survey on the problems of the Mozambican music sector, asking industry professionals and stakeholders what were the most urgent challenges to be addressed. Analyzing the questionnaire responses received, the following areas emerged as the most urgent:

• Copyright and related rights
• Project management
• Networking

Hence the idea of organizing the first Music Hackathon in Mozambique which took place in Maputo on the 21st and 22nd of June, 2024. The primary objective of this event was to bring together professionals from various sectors (creative, cultural, technological, entrepreneurial, startup, etc.) to find innovative and participatory solutions to the challenges of the Mozambican music industry. This was possible thanks to the involvement of many leading partners in their sector: NoOx WorldWide, Sheer Publishing Africa and Music Innovation Hub among the main ones, who made some prizes available. In fact, as in most hackathons, participants took part in a competition in groups to win them.

The challenge posed to the participants was to find ideas for innovative businesses to solve the critical issues of the music and cultural market in Mozambique.

In the first part of the event, a feedback exchange process was started through panels and meetings with experts in the sector, first, and group brainstorming between various professional figures (programmers, intellectuals, artists, entrepreneurs, designers, enthusiasts, etc.). On the second day, the judging committee evaluated the idea proposals submitted by the participants/groups. The two winning groups, plus one whose idea was considered particularly worthy, are now guided through a weekly capacity building process with some of the organizations and partners involved.

One of the groups also had the opportunity to come to Italy in November to participate and present its idea at the Linecheck Festival of the Milan Music Week (held by Music Innovation Hub). Their idea will also be accelerated by the Academy of Music Innovation Hub and will participate in panels, ad hoc workshops, mentoring sessions and networking, also showcasing their entrepreneurial and creative skills through the opportunity to perform in front of international experts.

In addition to the competition, the Music Hackathon also aimed to celebrate the creative sector of Mozambican music through moments of unity and concerts. To participate in these events, an application form was published and a jury was responsible for selecting the best musicians who would also have the opportunity to compete for a prize offered by Sheer Publishing Africa and NoOx Worldwide.

During the two evenings, 8 selected artists performed and were evaluated by the members of the committee that represented both the public and private sectors of the creative and music industry, both nationally and internationally.

The next edition will be held in Maputo, again in the summer of 2025: the event was a success and the partners have renewed their interest in participating in this second edition, whose ambition is to involve other cities beyond Maputo, and promote artistic exchange between neighboring countries, especially South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Building with Music is a project implemented by AGAPE and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Mozambique and other partners, including the Municipality of Milan, Milano Musica and Diapason Progetti Musicali. The project is funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and AGAPE itself. The aim is to revitalize and energize the Mozambican cultural and creative sector. The project seeks to fully express its potential for economic and social growth, encouraging entrepreneurship and cultural and technological innovation among young people.