Cultural Horizons

The Cultural Horizons programme is implemented by the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation in partnership with Cultural Vistas GmbH, following the results of a special call under the European Union’s 'Creative Europe' programme launched by the European Commission in October 2024 to support the Ukrainian cultural and creative sectors. 

The programme aims to support the recovery and sustainable development of Ukraine's cultural sector, while expanding access to cultural practices, cultural heritage, and international cooperation opportunities for Ukrainians affected by russian aggression. Within the programme, five grant calls will be launched (four to be administered by the UCF), focusing on the creation of innovative cultural products, support for artistic debuts, mobility, residencies, and initiatives to explore and promote local culture. Additionally, the programme features a mentorship component to provide grantees with tailored guidance from experienced cultural practitioners during implementation stage of funded projects. 

The 'Cultural Horizons' programme is registered as an international technical assistance project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No. 101237681, pursuant to Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 153 dated 15 February 2002, Registration Card No. 6318 dated 31 December 2025.

The launch of the programme is driven by the need to support the Ukrainian cultural sector amidst war and economic instability, where ensuring the continuity of cultural processes, the development of professional potential, and international cooperation is of paramount importance. The programme facilitates the implementation of modern approaches to cultural management and the development of creative industries, supports Ukraine's European integration course, and serves as an instrument for strengthening international partnerships.

The "Cultural Horizons" programme aligns with the following priority areas of the UCF’s activities for 2026: 

1. Partnership for Development: fostering partnership programmes to support artists and cultural figures, developing creative industries, human capital, and cultural resistance to russian aggression, and creating international cultural projects.
2. Culture at Local Level: supporting cross-sectoral partnerships and dialogue formats regarding local identity; supporting cultural initiatives in frontline and de-occupied regions, as well as cultural initiatives concerning temporarily occupied territories; promoting community cohesion and the integration of Ukrainians into the Ukrainian cultural space through culture, particularly through mobile cultural events; strengthening the capacity and self-reliance of cultural and creative industry actors in small communities.
3. Cultural Diversity: promoting the heritage and values of Ukraine’s national minorities, ethnic groups, and indigenous peoples, while encouraging their harmonious coexistence.
4. Supporting Contemporary Cultural Products: producing cultural content that reflects on modern history and Ukraine’s fight for independence; encouraging historical reappraisal aimed at identity building and social cohesion; and adapting, creating, and promoting relevant projects (particularly audio and audiovisual) through cooperation between state institutions and civil society.
5. Preserving Cultural Heritage: digitising heritage in frontline and de-occupied regions, particularly items under threat of loss or destruction; rethinking heritage and decolonising collections; supporting cultural heritage and the Ukrainian language, emphasising their role in identity formation; and promoting commemoration practices and an inclusive culture of remembrance.
6. Inclusive Culture: ensuring barrier-free access to cultural practices and content for all; promoting trauma-informed cultural initiatives for mental recovery; developing cultural products for children and youth, including those aimed at identity formation; and establishing inclusive, adaptive employment practices within the cultural and creative industries. 

Programme budget for 2026–2027: UAH 35 346 664, 61* 

The "Cultural Horizons” programme supports the following cultural and creative sectors:

Supported sectors:

• Audio arts
• Audiovisual arts 
• Visual arts
• Cultural heritage
• Cultural and creative industries
• Literature 
• Performing and stage arts 

Within the Programme for the 2026–2027 cycle, the Foundation offers the following calls: 

1. Innovative Cultural Products call
2. European Local Culture call
3. Artistic Debuts call
4. Artistic Mobility call

* Please note that the programme budget in UAH may be adjusted upwards or downwards depending on changes in the average monthly accounting exchange rates published on the European Commission’s website (InforEuro), calculated on the date of the decision to open negotiating procedures for projects within the respective call's budget.