Mobility First! is a mobility grants programme of the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) which aims to support the mutual cultural practice of those working in the arts in Asia and Europe. Since it was launched in 2017, Mobility First! has supported the cross-border mobility of over 300 cultural professionals between 48 ASEM partner countries.
Through Mobility First!, ASEF is able to promote people-to-people exchanges across Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) countries and is able to provide financial support for international travel for cultural professionals selected through its competitive open calls.
However in 2021, in response to the continuing restrictions on travel and physical gatherings due to Covid-19, Mobility First! will offer collaboration grants for artists and arts managers from Asia and Europe to jointly create new works or texts. This initiative aims to create opportunities for international cultural exchange and profesional connections at a time of very limited face-to-face encounters.
Mobility First! is publicly funded by 53 ASEM partner countries. In addition, ASEF also welcomes co-funding partnerships from the private sector and other organisations interested in engaging new audiences, widening their impact, and achieving their CSR goals.