Organizer Information
Culture Helps Solidarity is a multi-year international cultural support programme co-financed by the European Union through the Creative Europe Programme. Running until 2028, it is implemented by the European Cultural Foundation (Amsterdam) in partnership with Insha Osvita (Kyiv), zusa (Berlin), and the VETERANKA Movement (Kyiv).
The programme is designed to sustain creativity, resilience, and community connection among Ukrainian arts and culture professionals during and after the war. It combines three types of support: individual grants, thematic project grants, and collaboration grants, alongside mentoring, learning, and peer exchange opportunities. The current open call represents the first round of Collaboration Grants, focusing on cross-border partnerships to strengthen community cohesion and professional development.
Title & Description
Culture Helps Solidarity – Open Call for Collaboration Grants 2026
Theme: Fostering Cross-Border Cultural Collaboration
This open call seeks proposals for collaborative projects between at least two organisations—one Ukrainian-led and one from a Creative Europe country. The focus is on using culture to improve access to cultural participation and support the integration of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees into host communities. Special attention is given to vulnerable groups, including veterans, with an emphasis on mental well-being, intercultural dialogue, and solidarity.
The programme prioritises partnerships that:
- Foster cross-border networking and exchange of good practices
- Strengthen professional capacities in cultural management and community engagement
- Enhance intercultural dialogue and support mental health
- Highlight the role of solidarity in shaping a European future for Ukraine
Projects may take multiple cultural forms including Visual Arts, Performance, Sound / Music, Community-Based Art, Interdisciplinary Arts, Participatory Practices, and Storytelling & Cultural Dialogue. The grant encourages innovative, authentic approaches that demonstrate sustainable impact and professional collaboration between organisations.
At least 15 international projects will be awarded in this first round. Grants are tiered based on the number of partners:
- €20,000 for partnerships of two organisations
- €30,000 for partnerships of three or more organisations
Grants cover project implementation costs, including production, marketing, venue rental, travel, experts’ fees, artists’ honoraria, operational costs, and IT/communication tools. Co-financing is recommended but not mandatory (up to 80% of the project budget).
Selected projects run for up to 12 months, starting no earlier than 1 June 2026, with a final report submission deadline of 30 June 2027.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Performance
- Sound / Music
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Community-Based Art
- Participatory Practices
- Storytelling & Cultural Dialogue
- Art Management
Eligibility
- Applicants must be 18+ and proficient in English
- Projects must involve a collaboration of at least two organisations
- One partner must be Ukrainian-led (active in Ukraine or in exile)
- One partner must be based in a Creative Europe country
- Partners must be civic, public, or private cultural, creative, or civil sector organisations
- Projects must not be funded by other Creative Europe schemes
- Political party submissions, strictly humanitarian projects, or individual cost-of-living support requests are not eligible
- Private organisations must demonstrate non-commercial and charitable status
Program Benefits & Awards
- Grants of up to €20,000–€30,000, depending on the number of partners
- Coverage of project-related costs: production, marketing, venue/studio rental, IT & equipment, travel, artists’ fees, expert/legal fees, and operational costs
- Participation in thematic webinars, community calls, and one in-person networking event
- Mentorship and capacity-building for partner organisations
- Enhanced visibility and networking within the EU-supported cultural ecosystem
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed application form
- Detailed project proposal
- Project budget (official template)
- Supporting documents as requested on the application portal
- Clear demonstration of: relevance, feasibility, authenticity, creative methodology, partnership quality, sustainability, and expected impact
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Online Info Session & Matchmaking Event: 19 February 2026
- Application Deadline: 31 March 2026
- Assessment & Selection: End of May 2026
- Project Start Date: 1 June 2026
- In-Person Networking Event: Autumn 2026 (TBC)
- Project End Date: 31 May 2027
- Final Report Submission: 30 June 2027
Location
- Project implementation: Ukraine and Creative Europe countries
- Programme coordination: Amsterdam (NL), Kyiv (UA), Berlin (DE)
Additional Details
- First of two collaboration grant calls; future calls may focus on memory practices, safer community spaces, and ecological care
- Projects should engage communities impacted by displacement, veterans’ reintegration, diaspora dynamics, and social fragmentation
- Environmental sustainability, fair practices, and long-term cultural impact are valued in selection