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, the initiative 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 support Ukrainian arts and culture professionals in sustaining creativity, resilience, and community connection during and after the war. It combines three grant schemes—individual grants, thematic project grants, and collaboration grants—alongside mentoring, peer exchange, and learning opportunities. The current open call represents the first round of thematic Project Grants under this broader framework.
Title & Description
Culture Helps Solidarity – Open Call for Project Grants 2026
Theme: Community (Dis-)Connections: How Culture Helps and Has Its Limits
The first round of Project Grants under Culture Helps Solidarity invites proposals for small-scale cultural initiatives that strengthen community connections among people affected by the war in Ukraine.
This thematic call addresses the evolving social landscape shaped by displacement, relocation, return from military service, and diaspora formation. As communities navigate trauma, fragmentation, and changing social ties, cultural and artistic practices are recognised as powerful tools for rebuilding trust, fostering dialogue, and creating renewed forms of belonging.
The programme seeks projects that create meaningful encounters through participatory, collaborative, and socially engaged cultural practices. Proposed initiatives should enable people to connect across differences, strengthen emotional well-being, and support solidarity within vulnerable or disrupted communities.
At least 15 projects will be funded in this first round (with 60+ grants planned across four calls). Each selected project may receive up to €7,000 and can run for a maximum of six months, beginning no earlier than 1 July 2026.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Performance
- Sound / Music
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Social Practice
- Community-Based Art
- Participatory Practices
- Storytelling & Cultural Dialogue
Eligibility
This call is open to:
- Individuals aged 18+
- Civic, public, or private (non-commercial) organisations
- Applicants based in Ukraine or any Creative Europe country
- Cultural, creative, or civil sector professionals
Additional conditions:
- Applications must be submitted in English or Ukrainian.
- Projects must not receive funding from another Creative Europe scheme.
- Political party submissions are not eligible.
- Strictly humanitarian initiatives or individual cost-of-living requests are not eligible.
Private organisations must demonstrate non-commercial and charitable status for the proposed project.
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected projects will receive:
- Grants of up to €7,000
- Coverage of up to 80% of the total project budget (co-financing recommended but not mandatory)
- Eligible cost coverage includes:
- Production expenses
- Marketing and communication
- Venue and studio rental
- IT and equipment
- Travel costs
- Artists’ honoraria
- Expert and legal fees
- Operational and staffing costs
Beyond financial support, grantees benefit from:
- Participation in thematic workshops and peer exchange
- Networking within a Europe-wide cultural support ecosystem
- Visibility through EU-supported cultural programming
Participation in the thematic webinar may positively influence the evaluation.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- Completed application form
- Detailed project proposal
- Project budget (using the official template)
- Supporting documentation as requested in the application portal
Applications must clearly demonstrate:
- Relevance to the thematic focus
- Experience and competence of the applicant/team
- Feasibility of timeline and budget
- Authenticity and creative methodology
- Sustainability and long-term impact
Proposals heavily reliant on AI-generated content may receive lower evaluation priority.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Thematic webinar: 5 March 2026
- Online info session: 9 March 2026
- Application Deadline: 16 April 2026
- Selection results: Mid-June 2026
- Project start date: 1 July 2026
- Project completion Deadline: 31 December 2026
Location
Ukraine and Creative Europe countries (project-based implementation).
Programme coordination: Amsterdam (NL), Kyiv (UA), Berlin (DE).
Additional Details
- This is the first of four thematic project calls running until 2028.
- Future calls will address themes including memory practices, safer community spaces, and ecological care.
- Projects should sensitively engage communities affected by displacement, veterans’ reintegration, diaspora dynamics, and social fragmentation.
- Environmental responsibility and long-term sustainability are valued in the selection process.
This programme offers a significant opportunity for Ukrainian and Europe-based cultural practitioners to use artistic practice as a means of rebuilding solidarity, trust, and collective resilience in times of profound social transformation.