About the opportunity
ASEF LinkUp | Asia-Europe Cultural Diplomacy Lab 2026 is designed as a meeting ground for arts, government, and public sector representatives to share, listen, and inspire collective action toward reciprocal and equitable cultural exchanges. In its 4th edition, themed ‘Sustainability, Ethics and Equity in International Cultural Relations’, the program gathers an interdisciplinary cohort of approximately 20 participants (10 arts sector participants and 10 nominated government representatives) from 51 ASEM partner countries. Co-organized with Motovila Institute in cooperation with Slovenian partners, the program spans 3 phases: 5 online pre-sessions (Oct–Nov 2026), a 5-day in-person Lab in Ljubljana, Slovenia (23–27 Nov 2026), and online follow-up sessions (Dec 2026–Feb 2027).
Funding and benefits
- Return economy flight, train, or bus expenses to Ljubljana, Slovenia, from applicant's country of residence (subject to an ASEF cap)
- 6 nights of accommodation in Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Per diem allowance
- Visa fees (if applicable)
- Refreshments and lunch provided during the in-person Lab
- No registration or participation fees
Who can apply?
- Must hold citizenship in an ASEM partner country (passport holder)
- Must be at least 21 years old at the time of application
- Mid-career cultural practitioner or professional (arts managers, academics, curators, researchers, or representatives from cultural networks, museums, and arts organisations) with at least 5 years of international/cross-border experience
- Currently working in the cultural sectors of Asia and/or Europe
- Comfortable communicating and writing in English
- Passionate about facilitating international cultural exchanges and committed to deepening collaborations across Asia and Europe
- Committed to actively participating in all 3 phases of the programme (online pre-sessions, in-person Lab, and post-event follow-up)
Required documents
- Completed online application form submitted via Formstack
- Supporting attachments (e.g. CV or supporting documents) up to a 25 MB submission limit, or external portfolio/profile links (e.g., website, LinkedIn, Google Drive)
When to apply
- Open call period: 30 July 2026 to 27 August 2026
- Application deadline: Thursday, 27 August 2026 at 6:00 PM Singapore Time (SGT)
- Selection outcome notification: Mid-September 2026 via email
- Phase 1 (Online Pre-Sessions): 5 sessions every Thursday from 15 October to 12 November 2026 at 4:00 PM SGT
- Phase 2 (In-person Lab): 23 to 27 November 2026 in Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Phase 3 (Fieldbook, Futures and Connections): Up to 3 online sessions between December 2026 and February 2027
How to apply
- Read the Open Call Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions thoroughly
- Access and fill out the online application form via Formstack
- Attach required documents (CV/supporting materials within 25 MB total size) or include relevant web links
- Submit the application form by 27 August 2026, 6:00 PM SGT
- Look out for notification of selection outcomes via email by mid-September 2026
Additional information
- Applicants living outside an ASEM partner country remain eligible as long as they hold citizenship of an ASEM partner country
- 10 additional participants from the government sector will be selected separately by nomination and funded by their respective ministries, agencies, or institutions
- Throughout Phases 1 and 2, participants will collaborate to co-create the ASEF LinkUp Fieldbook resource
- For queries regarding the open call, contact culture@asef.org
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Mid-career cultural practitioners (curators, arts managers, academics) with at least 5 years of international experience.
- Individuals passionate about facilitating international cultural exchanges between Asia and Europe.
- Professionals comfortable working and communicating in English.
What should you think carefully about?
- The program requires a strict commitment to all three phases, including five online pre-sessions and a five-day in-person Lab.
- Travel to Ljubljana is funded, but expenses are subject to an ASEF cap.
- Applicants must hold citizenship of an ASEM partner country, regardless of where they currently live.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This is an ideal opportunity for a mid-career professional looking to expand their international network and gain a specialized focus on sustainability, ethics, and equity in cultural relations. It serves as a high-impact, short-term engagement that blends professional development with cross-continental collaboration.
Our take
Mid-career arts professionals from ASEM partner countries with a passion for cultural diplomacy should apply, while those unable to commit to the full hybrid schedule of online sessions and the Slovenia trip should pass.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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