Boost mutual exchange between Japan and the European countries hosted ECoC for further collaboration!

The European Capital of Culture (ECoC) has grown into a global celebration of culture and the arts welcoming artists from over 100 countries around the world. To encourage further interaction between artists, artistic and cultural organizations in Japan and the European countries hosted ECoC, EU-Japan Fest has launched a mobility support scheme between Japan and Europe for wider people related to art and culture.

Purpose

Through this support scheme, we hope that artists and cultural stakeholders from a variety of genres will visit and interact with Japan and European countries, and create sustainable networks and programs for the future.

Who can apply?

Local resident artist and cultural stakeholders in Japan and the European countries which hosted ECoCs

Travel Purpose

    • Preparation visit including research, preliminary visits to the venues, necessary meetings for practical programs
    • Research of local festivals, programs and networking with local artists / cultural stakeholders there, for own artistic projects/activities in future
    • Implementation of own artistic and cultural projects

Priority to support

Most important: Highly motivated to realize a program using this scheme.

      • 1st priorities: Travel from/to current and future ECoC (*)
      • 2nd priorities: Travel from/to the past ECoC and host countries (*)
      • *List of host cities of European Capital of Culture:
    https://www.eu-japanfest.org/ecoc/

Grant amount and payment details for each travel type

Travel type Destination Participant’s nationality Grant amount Eligible applicant Grant payment
A Local resident in
*ECoC countries
→ Japan
Any nationality who has a tax
number in *ECoC country
**150,000Yen Participant Cash
(in Japan)
B Local resident in Japan
→ ECoC countries
Any nationality based in Japan **150,000Yen Participant Bank transfer
C Local resident in Europe
→ ECoC countries
Japan only **50,000Yen Participant Bank transfer

*ECoC countries: European countries hosted European Capital of Culture (ECoC)
**Special amount from April 2024. Amounts are subject to change depending on the global situation.

Application submission period

Travel period Submission date Submission deadline
April – September 2024 February –
the middle of August 2024
Receipt of applications closed
6 weeks before the participant’s travel date
October 2024 – March 2025 August 2024 –
the middle of February 2025

How to Apply

    • Please send an e-mail to EU-Japan Fest office to get the application form.
      E-mail: eu-japan@nifty.com

      • Fill in the all blanks of application form and submit as follows.
      • [Required documents]
        • Application form by PDF file
        • Participant’s portrait photograph (size: larger than 1MB / 1200 x 1600 pixels)
        • [Reference materials for review] Support request letter or invitation letter issued by current and future ECoC, or local organizer of festival/project which applicant participate during the travel.
          *If you are going to visit current or future ECoC, please contact the ECoC team to get the support request letter.
      • [Submission]
          • EU-Japan Fest Japan Committee:
        eu-japan@nifty.com
          by E-mail or via file transfer service

    • Interview.
      • After receiving application, EU-Japan Fest will hold an interview at our office (Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo).
        For A and C applicant: online meeting (Zoom)
        For B applicant: face-to-face meeting at our office. If the applicant lives far away from Tokyo, online meeting is also acceptable.


Support Decision and payment method:

  • Screening process:
    1st round: screening of the documents
    2nd round: interview

    *Please note that we will screen the application documents as the 1st round. Those who pass the first round will be interviewed in the second round.
    *After the interview, you will be notified of the results within one week.

  • Payment method: by cash or bank transfer (see above table)
  • Payment date:
    • For A applicant: The date of the meeting at EU-Japan Fest office (Tokyo)
      *Participants should have a meeting with staff of EU-Japan Fest at the office in Tokyo during stay.
      Meeting schedule is to be decided with participant.

    • For B and C applicant: Within 3 weeks after receiving all requirements of report after the travel

Requirements after the travel [IMPORTANT]:

Participant should submit the followings within 30 days from their leaving date.

<Travel type A>
[Documents]
  • Mobility Support report form
  • Photographs of research and meetings
    Number: 5-10 photos
    Size: larger than 1MB / 1200×1600 pixels

 

<Travel type B>
[Documents]

  • Mobility Support report form
  • Photographs of research and meetings
    Number: 5-10 photos
    Size: larger than 1MB / 1200×1600 pixels
  • Invoice (150,000 yen) with your bank information to EU-Japan Fest Japan Committee in PDF
  • Receipt of airfare in PDF

* If airfare alone is less than 150,000 yen, the receipts of accommodation costs and local transportation costs are acceptable.

<Travel type C>
[Documents]

  • Mobility Support report form
  • Photographs of research and meetings
    Number: 5-10 photos
    Size: larger than 1MB / 1200×1600 pixels
  • Invoice (50,000 yen) with your bank information to EU-Japan Fest Japan Committee in PDF
  • Receipt of airfare in PDF

* If airfare alone is less than 50,000 yen, the receipts of accommodation costs and local transportation costs are acceptable.


[Submission]
EU-Japan Fest Japan Committee:eu-japan@nifty.com
*by E-mail or via file transfer service


[Deadline]
within 30 days from participant’s leaving date.

Important Information for Applicants

  • One application form for each applicant.
  • Up to 2 people applying for the same project (each applicant should send application).
  • Be sure to fill in all information required in the application forms.
  • Incomplete application forms and missing material (e.g. missing photographs, incomplete data) will result in rejection of the application.
  • Even during the application period, the application process may be closed if there are too many applicants. Please understand this in advance.