Mobility First! – ASEF Cultural Mobility Initiative is the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF)‘s travel grant for artists and cultural professionals. Mobility First! supports a wide variety of activity types (workshop/training, conference/forum, festival/Biennale, residencies, partnership meetings, research trips, also,  short-term exploration/networking) with particular focus on these areas:

Skills transfer/knowledge exchange
Innovation in arts & culture
Local development
Art and social issues: the role of art & artists in society
Further, Through these activities and focus areas, Mobility First! contributes to the pursuit of the

Sustainable Development Goals, particularly:

SDG #10: Reduce inequality within and among countries

by facilitating the mobility of artists and cultural professionals (target 10.7)
Also, by implementing the principle of differential treatment for developing countries, thereby contributing to achieving a balanced flow of cultural works (target 10.a)
SDG #4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education, and promote lifelong learning for all

by increasing the number of both youth and adults who participate in activities to acquire skills needed for employment in the cultural and creative industries (target 4.4)
by supporting the foundation (e.g. partner meetings/networking) for long-lasting collaboration and learning
SDG #5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women

by integrating gender equality as part of the selection criteria for the Mobility First! grant (target 5.c)
by increasing further, the participation of women at leadership programs in the cultural sector and thereby contributing to equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision making in political, economic and public life (target 5.5)
To commemorate its 20th anniversary in 2017, Further, the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) builds upon its support to cultural mobility over the past 2 decades by launching Mobility First! – ASEF Cultural Mobility Initiative, also, a new grant that supports the movement of Asian and European artists and cultural professionals in Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) partner countries.

Benefits

The grant amounts for 2019 are as follows:

• Asia to Europe and vice-versa – SGD 2,000
• Further, Australia/New Zealand to Europe and vice-versa – SGD 2,300
• Russia to Europe and vice-versa – SGD 1,000
• Also, Intra-Asia – SGD 1,000
• Additional funding is available for people with disabilities and special needs

Eligibilities

• Mobility First! accepts two types of applications from:
• Further, Individuals – artists/cultural professionals looking to participate in any of the eligible activity types (outgoing mobility)
• Also, Organizations – arts organizations applying for up to 5 artists/cultural professionals they want to invite to an activity they are organizing