The Music Moves Europe Awards 2026 have unveiled this year’s winners, celebrating emerging artists from across Europe whose work reflects innovation, diversity and a forward-looking musical vision. The awards spotlight the creativity shaping Europe’s contemporary music scene and its growing international reach.
The winners were officially announced during a festive award ceremony at Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) in Groningen, the Netherlands, on Thursday, 15 January 2026. The evening marked a defining moment for Europe’s next generation of music talent.
This year’s MME Award recipients are Camille Yembe (Belgium), Carpetman (Ukraine), Della (Cyprus), Sarah Julia (Netherlands) and Sofie Royer (Austria).
The Jury Grand Prize was awarded to Lia Kali (Spain), who also received the MME Public Choice Award, voted for by music fans from across Europe and beyond.
“The European music scene continues to thrive through diversity, creativity and artistic courage. The Music Moves Europe Awards honour the artists shaping the sound of tomorrow’s Europe and carrying it beyond our borders. I warmly congratulate all the winners on this remarkable achievement. I am confident their sounds will resonate across Europe.” Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport
A flagship EU cultural award
Supported by the Creative Europe programme, the Music Moves Europe Awards are the European Union’s flagship prize for emerging artists, recognising those shaping the sound of Europe today and tomorrow.
Over the past 22 years, the awards have helped launch the international careers of major European acts, including Stromae, ROSALÍA, Dua Lipa, Christine and the Queens, Fontaines D.C. and Meduza. Each new winner reflects the bold experimentation and cultural richness of Europe’s music landscape.
Public Choice Award
The MME Public Choice Award 2026 was decided by music lovers across Europe, who voted for their favourite emerging artist via the official MME Awards website. The award highlights the strong connection between European audiences and the continent’s next wave of musical talent.
Prize package and jury
Winners were selected by an international jury comprising Jess Iszatt (BBC Radio 1 & BBC Introducing), Filip Košťálek, Kenza Naaïmi El Fezzazi, Annika Walsh and Judeline, winner of the 2025 MME Public Choice Award.
In total, seven prizes were awarded: five MME Awards, one Jury Grand Prize and one Public Choice Award. Each MME Award winner receives €10,000. The Jury Grand Prize winner also receives a €5,000 green touring voucher to support sustainable touring, while the Public Choice Award winner receives €5,000.
Taking the ESNS stage
All 15 nominated artists performed at ESNS, Europe’s leading showcase festival and music conference in Groningen. They also took part in the MME Learning Programme, which shares industry knowledge and best practices. The programme is organised by ESNS and Reeperbahn Festival, in collaboration with partners including Liveurope, Yourope, Live DMA, IMPALA, Digital Music Europe, ICMP-CIEM, the International Music Managers Forum (IMMF) and the European Music Exporters Exchange (EMEE).
The Music Moves Europe Awards remain a cornerstone of the European Union’s efforts to support and promote contemporary European music, strengthening both emerging artists and music professionals while shaping a vibrant, diverse and internationally connected European music scene.