Asia REF does not have a specific focus, but all projects should be grounded in human rights and expand religious and ethnic freedom. These might be activities related to advocacy; supporting government and other institutions to protect REF; countering exclusionary narratives and hate speech; promotion of tolerance of religious and ethnic minorities in social and communal life; preventing and responding to human rights violations, for instance, based on needs identified to promote REF in the target country of the project.

Projects should not prioritize broad, overarching training programs intended for mass participation, activities that overlap or duplicate other existing initiatives, or strategic religious engagement programs to promote interfaith tolerance as the end goal. Activities should lead to concrete outcomes related to increased availability and enjoyment of human rights and/or reduced violations of human rights.

Asia REF does not support activities that advance or inhibit the practice of one religion, belief, or non-belief. Activities should have a neutral effect on the exercise of religion and should not advance or inhibit the practice of religion or favor religious belief.