The program supports travel for research, meetings, and the creation of creative networks related to collaborative projects between Japan and Europe, especially those involving European Capitals of Culture.
Furthermore, starting this term, the program will also support travel for participants from Asian countries and other regions joining Japan-Europe collaborations.

In addition to artists, curators, and project organizers, the program is open to researchers in the fields of culture and the arts, social entrepreneurs, and others. Through this expansion of their support, they hope to make a modest contribution to deepening connections among those in the arts, academia, and business, and to helping new creativity take shape in concrete projects.

On this way there is a collaboration with Culture Next.
“The EU-Japan Fest Japan Committee is pleased to announce that, starting from April 2026, our Mobility Support Programme will now also support cultural professionals in 50 member cities of Culture Next, the network for European Capital of Culture current and former candidate cities”.
This marks an important first step toward deepening their collaboration with Culture Next and further strengthening creative connections between Europe and Japan.
Since October 2025, EU-Japan Fest and Culture Next have been jointly exploring new possibilities for collaboration and shared visions for the future. As a result of this ongoing dialogue, they are now taking this new step to further advance EU–Japan cultural co-creation.
Together with the European partners, they will continue to move forward in building a more creative and peaceful world.

Eu Japan Fest

European Capital of Culture Antwerp 1993 was the occasion for a request by the government of Belgium for Japanese participation in the events of that year, and EU-Japan Fest Japan Committee was formed with the support of prominent members of the business community and EU member country ambassadors to Japan.
Founded: November 1992
Objectives: To support the transnational activities of community members and artists involved in service of regional communities and social responsibility and to contribute to the development of healthy societies.

Fundamental Activities Policy
- Support the activities of young people with attention to their talents and personal qualities.
- Support activities directed towards the self-reliance of community citizens and artists.
- Recognize the standing of and support artistic activities on which opinion remains unformed.
- Support artistically and spiritually creative activities while continuously examining the merits and demerits of globalization.
- Support the formation of global networks in culture and the arts and joint efforts undertaken in their context.
- Support activities that preserve traditional culture, as well as activities that extend it.

Culture Next

Established in 2017, Culture Next is dedicated to European Capital of Culture candidates, current or former, awarded or not.

Our mission is to contribute to having more European Capital of Culture (ECoC) programmes implemented in European cities and regions and to define a long-term European vision on local development through culture and creativity. Building on the experiences, processes and collaborations established during the ECoC bid, we support all cities, being them awarded or not, to implement culture-led local development programmes and policies. We are committed to deliver a sustainable impact and meaningful legacy of the ECoC programme.

Whether being ECoC labelled or not, all cities need support and inspiration în order to carry on with the implementation of their programmes.  The partnerships, talents and resources mobilised through ECoC bidding make a strong base for culture-led sustainable development in these cities. We can all contribute to the success and legacy of the ECoC project. Cities are where democracy, inclusiveness and innovation are produced, and culture is a facilitator of this entire ecosystem. More cities with cultural programmes mean more power to address European challenges and opportunities.

Culture Next works towards achieving wider European acknowledgement and recognition of culture as sustainable development and towards extending the existing European cultural cooperation frameworks. The network also contributes to the ECoC programme legacy, by facilitating the implementation of more ECoC programmes in Europe. The network focuses on capacity building, organising conferences and annual meetings, and on developing a platform for promoting member cities, as well as facilitating collaborations among them. Also, the network aims to become a voice in shaping European cultural policies.

Other info here.

Other info and form here.