Beatport, the world’s leading platform for DJs and producers, has partnered with Miller Genuine Draft to unveil the Miller x Beatport The Grassroots Venue Fund—a groundbreaking international initiative designed to bolster independent electronic music venues across four global regions: Turkey, Hungary, Georgia, and Australia.
With a total commitment of €60,000, the fund will allocate €15,000 to each country to address urgent needs within local electronic music communities. From infrastructure upgrades and programming expansion to accessibility improvements and artist development, the initiative targets the real-world challenges that grassroots venues face in sustaining the culture from the ground up.
The application window for venues in Hungary is now open from July 30 to August 27, with Turkey’s application period running August 4 to September 3. Dates for Georgia and Australia will be announced soon via millermix.beatport.com.
“From Turkey to Hungary, Georgia to Australia, electronic music connects communities in powerful and personal ways,” said Rebecca Mutty, Senior Global Marketing Manager for Miller Genuine Draft. “This partnership is about preserving the spaces that make nightlife matter and ensuring they thrive amid growing challenges.”
The initiative arrives during a critical downturn for nightlife economies. In Europe, the number of electronic music clubs has plummeted by 30% between 2021 and 2023, continuing a steep decline from over 3,000 venues in 2005 to just 850 today. Meanwhile, Australia has seen more than 1,300 music venues and stages close since the pandemic, slashing small to mid-size performance spaces by nearly a third.
“This fund represents a shared commitment to the future of electronic music,” added Yasemin Kosereisoglu, Director of Client Relations & Creative Production at The Beatport Group. “By investing in independent venues, we’re supporting the infrastructure that keeps our culture alive and evolving.”
To celebrate the launch, Miller and Beatport will host a series of high-profile events in each participating country. The first took place on July 18 in Istanbul, headlined by Deborah De Luca. The tour continues on September 6 in Budapest, featuring Nora En Pure, with upcoming shows planned for Australia and Georgia. Each event will be featured in a forthcoming docuseries, highlighting the stories of venue owners, fund recipients, and the artists shaping their local scenes.
For application details and updates, visit millermix.beatport.com.