Mobility First! Special Open Call: South-South Mobility

The 2019 Mobility First! Special Open Call: South-South Mobility is now closed.

#MobilityFirst Special Open Call: South-South Mobility

The impetus for this special mobility call stems from the recommendations detailed in the 2018 Global Report – Re-shaping Cultural Policies, where UNESCO reiterates the inadequate access to funding opportunities for artists and cultural professionals in the Global South.

The Global South broadly refers to countries and regions that are mostly low income, underdeveloped and are often culturally marginalised, generally lacking the influence to assert their interests and needs in the global sector.

UNESCO on imbalances in mobility funding:

“Artists from the global South are only eligible for 18% of available mobility funding from the global North” (Re-shaping Cultural Policies, UNESCO 2018 Global Report, p. 108)

“There are far fewer funds originating in the global South to support mobility.” (Re-shaping Cultural Policies, UNESCO 2018 Global Report, p. 117)

Given the persistent inequalities and inaccessibility to mobility opportunities for artists and cultural professionals from the Global South, the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), through its Mobility First! travel grant, and Cambodian Living Arts are issuing a joint call for mobility support prioritising South-South mobility.

Through this joint collaboration, we are looking to:

• Promote cultural exchange between countries in the Global South
• Ensure inclusive opportunities for cultural professionals
• Expand the diversity of cultural professionals participating in exchanges and collaborations

Eligibility

The mobility call is specifically aimed for individual artists and cultural professionals from the following Asian countries, which are looking to strengthen their cultural practice through connecting with their counterparts in the Global South:

Eligible travel routes that would be supported include travel between the above listed countries. 

Through this joint collaboration, the ASEF-CLA Mobility call for South-South mobility contributes to the pursuit of the following Sustainable Development Goals, particularly:

SDG #10: Reduce inequality within and among countries

• by facilitating the mobility of artists and cultural professionals (target 10.7) 
• 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)

Timeline

The mobility call will be open and accepting applications from Friday, 16 August 2019.

Applications will be received and accepted by both ASEF and CLA on a rolling basis and you can expect to hear feedback about your application within 2 weeks of submission.

Applicants are encouraged to apply at least 8 weeks before the date of their intended travel.

How to apply?

This special call will be administered by ASEF. The application form and other guidelines can be found here: https://asefculture.formstack.com/forms/mobilityfirst2019globalsouth

For other questions, drop us an email: mobilityfirst@asef.org

About the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF)

The Asia-Europe Foundation promotes understanding, strengthens relationships and facilitates cooperation among the people, institutions and organisations of Asia and Europe. ASEF enhances dialogue, enables exchanges and encourages collaboration across the thematic areas of culture, education, governance, sustainable development, public health and media.

ASEF is an intergovernmental not-for-profit organisation located in Singapore. Founded in 1997, it is the only institution of the Asia-Europe meeting (ASEM).

ASEF runs more than 25 projects a year, consisting of around 100 activities, mainly conferences, seminars, workshops, lectures, publications, and online platforms, together with about 150 partner organisations. Each year over 3,000 Asians and Europeans participate in ASEF’s activities, and much wider audiences are reached through its various events, networks and web-portals.

For more information, please visit www.ASEF.org.

About Cambodian Living Arts

For almost 20 years, Cambodian Living Arts (CLA) has worked tirelessly to regrow Cambodia’s arts sector and provide opportunities for artists to write the story of the country’s future. Founded in 1998 by genocide survivor, musician, and peace advocate Arn Chorn-Pond, they initially focused on the preservation of endangered performing art forms and rituals. After the Khmer Rouge regime, 90% of Cambodia’s artists did not survive and arts that had been transmitted between generations were in danger of being lost forever.

Over the past 2 decades, the work of CLA has changed in line with the development of Cambodia and the rapidly re-emerging arts sector. Noting the need to nurture talent and equip emerging artists and young leaders with the skills and opportunities they need to start sustainable careers in the arts, they offer scholarships, fellowships, and other training opportunities; provide employment opportunities through regular performances and festivals, and create opportunities for international exchanges, research, and networking.

Read more here: https://www.cambodianlivingarts.org/