Eligible Regions: Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Lao PDR, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mongolia, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, Viet Nam.
Through these activities and focus areas, Mobility First! It contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular:
SDG # 10: Reduce inequality within and between countries
Facilitating the mobility of artists and culture professionals (objective 10.7).
by applying the principle of differential treatment for developing countries, thus contributing to achieving a balanced flow of cultural works (goal 10.a)
SDG # 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning for all
increasing the number of young people and adults participating in activities to acquire the necessary skills for employment in the cultural and creative industries (objective 4.4)
supporting the foundation (for example, partner/network meetings) for lasting collaboration and learning
SDG # 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women
by integrating gender equality as part of the selection criteria for Mobility First! grant (objective 5.c)
increasing the participation of women in leadership programs in the cultural sector and thus contributing to equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life (goal 5.5)
To commemorate its twentieth anniversary in 2017, the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) is based on its support for social mobility in the last two decades by launching Mobility First! – ASEF Cultural Mobility Initiative, a new grant that supports the movement of Asian and European artists and culture professionals in the partner countries of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).
UNESCO reiterates that limited availability and access to funding remains a significant challenge for social mobility, and ASEF continues its efforts to reduce this gap through Mobility First. Grant. In its latest report on Cultural Policy Reform (2nd edition), the only global document on trends in cultural development launched by the new Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, on 14 December 2017, the limited funding for the Cultural mobility has been recognized again as a key. The challenge to international cultural cooperation. However, there is a positive trend in mobility opportunities offered through transnational artistic collaborations, with renewed interest in South-South mobility.
In this context, Cultural Mobility Initiative! The travel grant has been recognized, in its first year, as a “success story” by a multilateral intergovernmental organization to close gaps in support of artists’ mobility. The mobility of ASEF first! It is funded by 51 Asian and European countries, the European Union and the ASEAN Secretariat in the framework of the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM).
In its pilot year, Cultural Mobility Initiative ! Has allowed the participation of a total of 73 artists and cultural professionals in the ASEM region for a wide range of cultural activities, including from networking and capacity building (training, study visits, association meetings) until the creation of works of art (residences of artists and writers). ) For public presentations (festivals, biennials, conferences). It supported an equal number of men and women, as well as a balanced selection of fields including film, visual arts, contemporary dance, and theater. Also, training was also supported for museum professionals and different types of art managers, including heritage professionals. In terms of mobility routes, routes from Asia to Europe and Asia were prioritized.
