Liverpool Sound City has joined a a coalition of European showcase festivals formed to provide a new network for artist discovery and music industry development.
Sound City is the UK's sole representative in the Innovation Network Of European Showcases (INES), which connects the music markets of the participating countries. Other project partners include Waves Vienna, Sonicvisions, Live At Heart, Spring Break, Monkey Week, Westway LAB, MENT Ljubljana and band booking platform Gigmit.
The network will benefit from €2 million (£1.8m) in funding through the European Union's Creative Europe programme.
"Sound City has always been about giving local artists and businesses more opportunities both at home and abroad," said Sound City COO Rebecca Ayres.
"Industry executives have gathered under the Sound City banner across the globe to see the best in upcoming talent, and we've taken artists to showcases all over the world. As a result, we have great relationships with our international colleagues but this initiative will help bolster our efforts and create even more cooperation between music markets in different territories. Working together in this way is only going to become more important in years to come."
A detailed presentation of the project will take place at Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg on September 21.
