The Asia–Europe Foundation (ASEF) and Motovila are organising the fourth edition of the ASEF LinkUp | Asia-Europe Cultural Diplomacy Lab programme in Ljubljana this November. The programme will bring together 20 representatives from the cultural and creative sectors and public institutions from Asia and Europe.
ASEF LinkUp 2026 will take place in Ljubljana from 23 to 27 November, with part of the programme also expected to be held in Kranj. The programme is being developed in collaboration with Slovenian partners: the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, the Ministry of Culture and Center Rog.
This year’s event will be held under the theme ‘Sustainability, Ethics and Equity in International Cultural Relations’. Participants will jointly explore possibilities for more reciprocal, equitable and co-created forms of international cultural cooperation, and reflect on the conditions under which such cooperation can take place in an increasingly complex socio-political and cultural environment.
Particular attention will be paid to the challenges of realising more sustainable and ethical cultural relations, cooperation between cultural practitioners and policy-makers, and the role of smaller countries in international cultural cooperation.
The programme began with a co-creation phase involving former ASEF LinkUp participants, who developed thematic frameworks for this year’s edition between April and July. An open call for representatives from the cultural and creative sectors was published on 30 July, and applications are accepted until 27 August 2026 at 12.00 (CEST). Up to ten experts with relevant experience and a strong interest in international cultural exchanges will be selected. A further ten representatives from government and other public institutions will join the programme on the basis of nominations.
- APPLICATION FORM: https://culture360.asef.org/opportunities/asef-linkup-2026-call-for-arts-sector-participants/
Selected participants will take part in five online preparatory meetings between October and November, followed by a five-day laboratory in Slovenia, which will include workshops, presentations and study visits. The programme will culminate in the publication of the ASEF LinkUp Fieldbook, which will be co-created by the participants and will present their key insights and recommendations for the further development of cultural relations between Asia and Europe.
Since the programme began in 2023, more than 54 artists, cultural practitioners, diplomats, policy-makers and researchers from 22 countries have taken part in ASEF LinkUp.
- MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE EVENT: https://culture360.asef.org/news-events/asef-linkup-2026-edition-in-slovenia/
