Call for proposals to support cultural partnerships, cooperation projects between Ukrainian and EU-based organizations

Call for proposals to support cultural partnerships, cooperation projects between Ukrainian and EU-based organizations is sponsored by Ukrainian Cultural Foundation in partnership with Cultural Vistas gGmbH. This initiative aims to increase access to culture and heritage for Ukrainians, particularly displaced persons, and to establish long-term European partnerships and integrate Ukraine's cultural sector into the broader European space.

Cultural Horizons | Cultural Vistas EU Mentorship Training Courses Cultural Horizons Residencies Opening new horizons of Ukrainian culture across Europe Cultural Horizons strengthens the cultural sector in Ukraine by promoting joint EU-Ukrainian cultural initiatives and expanding access for Ukrainians affected by the war to cultural and artistic networks in Europe.

Operating from 2026 -2027, the program provides subgrants for cultural and artistic projects developed through EU-Ukrainian partnerships and builds a Europe-wide network of cultural expert mentors . Through these activities, the program focuses on building long-term partnerships, fostering professional development, and integrating the Ukrainian cultural sector into the European cultural space.

At the same time, it aims to expand opportunities for Ukrainians – particularly those affected by the war – to engage in cultural practices and to access cultural heritage more broadly.

Cultural Horizons is designed and implemented by the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation and Cultural Vistas and funded by the Creative Europe Program of the European Union, through the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) under the powers delegated by the European Commission. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the EACEA.

Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. In case of any questions, or if you wish to schedule an individual meeting, please reach out to culturalhorizons@culturalvistas.

org Prospering Democratic Societies Cultural Horizons combines multiple program phases including: Outreach (2026) : Actively engage European experts, cultural actors, and organizations to train Ukrainian leaders and foster cultural exchange between Ukraine and the EU.

Mentoring (2026 – 2027) : Build a sustainable network of mentors, including both Ukrainian and European cultural experts, who will support Ukrainian cultural initiatives from conception to implementation.

A focus on equipping mentors with the tools and resources to carry out mentorship will occur in 2026 and mentors will engage with mentees in 2027 Support for Cultural Initiatives (2027) : Provide subgrants for small-scale cultural projects in the category of residencies.

Foster EU-Ukrainian partnership through shared cultural initiatives Expand access for Ukrainian cultural practitioners to the European cultural sector Enhance mutual understanding and awareness for cultural and artistic practices Support cultural heritage preservation in Ukraine Support social and cultural integration for displaced Ukrainians throughout the EU Cultural Horizons Mentorship Training Course & Network of Mentors Cultural Horizons mentors are cultural professionals from Europe and Ukraine, who will support the selected grantees through targeted peer-to-peer mentorship during the project implementation phases.

Anyone with valuable experience and connections in the cultural sector in Europe is encouraged to apply to become a member and support Ukrainian artists and cultural practitioners through the Cultural Horizons program. To best equip future Cultural Horizons, a tailored online educational course will be provided to all selected participants, focusing on instruments for effective mentorship, knowledge exchange and networking.

Upon successful completion of the educational course participants will become part of the Cultural Horizon’s network of mentors.

Develop a network of Ukrainian and European cultural professionals with expertise in cultural and artistic project implementation Deliver capacity building for cultural experts in the form of a tailored online training course for mentors Deliver targeted mentoring support to grantees Provide comprehensive informational support to grant competition applicants, including guidance on the technical aspects of application preparation (e.g., formatting, compliance, and submission processes) and assistance in refining and conceptualizing their project ideas to align with the grant program’s objectives.

Become part of network of Ukrainian and European cultural professionals Receive in-depth training on mentorship in inter-cultural settings Mentors will receive an hourly expense allowance for their mentorship of program grantees Proven professional expertise in designing and implementing cultural and/or artists projects Individuals must be residents of the European Union or Ukraine Adherence to the principles of inclusivity, gender balance, and diversity Intercultural awareness and openness Full professional working proficiency in English Application phase for mentors: March 27 to May 3, 2026 Notification of selected individuals: Week of May 11, 2026 Mentor Course: July 27-August 27, 2026 Evaluation of participation & Selection of program mentors by a Selection Committee: August – September 2026 Cultural Horizons Residencies Subgrants are provided in the following five categories: Residencies (Cultural Vistas) Mobility (Ukrainian Cultural Foundation) Debuts (Ukrainian Cultural Foundation) Innovative Cultural Products (Ukrainian Cultural Foundation) European Local Culture (Ukrainian Cultural Foundation) Subgrants in the “Residency” category are administered by Cultural Vistas gGmbH.

Subgrants in the areas “Mobility”, “Debuts”, “Innovative Cultural Products”, and “European Local Culture” are administered by the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation. Please find all information on these categories on the website of the Ukrainian Culture Foundation .

Cultural Horizons Residencies Cultural Horizons Residencies The Cultural Horizons Residencies provide subgrants for EU-based institutions to implement residency and cooperation projects with Ukrainian artistic and cultural workers.

The Cultural Horizons subgrants are designed to support organizations in Europe that operate in the fields of culture and arts to enhance their cooperation with the Ukrainian cultural sphere by implementing a) residency placements and/or b) education projects organized on the basis of residencies for and with Ukrainian artistic and cultural professionals in 2027.

Amounts per subgrant: 5,000 – 20,000 EUR A minimum of 20 subgrants will be provided Develop and expand professional relationships between European and Ukrainian cultural institutions and actors, creating pathways for future collaborations Support capacity building of Ukrainian artists and cultural actors Expand access for Ukrainians affected by the war to high-quality cultural and artistic practices Strengthen skills in cross-cultural communication, mentorship, and leadership Enhance mutual understanding and awareness for cultural and artistic practices Support cultural heritage preservation in Ukraine Support cultural recovery and resilience in Ukraine To apply for a residency subgrant, we welcome applications from: Artistic and cultural organizations and initiatives registered within the EU (If you are applying as a consortium, you must designate one lead organization to submit the application and manage funding).

Applying organizations must demonstrate their ability to host Ukrainian artistic and cultural professionals in 2027 and complete their projects within the period of January 1 to August 31, 2027.

Applicants must confirm the absence of ties with the Russian Federation including no working partnerships with Russia/Russian organizations and no visits to Russian-occupied territories after 2014), a commitment to refrain from the glorification of Russian imperialism, and to comply with the EU sanctions regime. NGOs and public sector institutions working with displaced and vulnerable groups will be prioritized.

Applicants require working language use of English.

As a note, subgrants are designed to specifically support the following groups: Ukrainian artists and cultural practitioners , including independent and employed professionals, early-career specialists, debut artists, cultural managers, researchers, analysts, conservators etc. Vulnerable groups from Ukraine , including internally displaced persons, young artists, and communities in frontline and conflict-affected areas.

Cultural organizations in Ukraine , with a particular focus on small communities, local initiatives, independent cultural spaces, and civil society organizations (NGOs).

Application phase: Monday, June 29 to Wednesday, September 30, 2026 Evaluation and selection process: October – November 2026 Announcement of selection results: November 2026 Implementation phase for subgrant projects: January 1 to July 30, 2027 (minimum project duration – 3 months; maximum project duration – 8 months) Subgrant recipients submit their final reports and project documentation to Cultural Vistas: Recipients must submit these documents within one month of project completion, and no later than August 15, 2027 Please download our residency guide for further in-depths information on the requirements of the residency subgrants and the related application process.

Access the Residency Guide Please use the following work plan template to submit as part of your project proposal for the residency subgrants. Residencies Budget Template Residencies Budget Template Please use the following budget template to submit your project budget for the residency subgrants. Access the Budget Template Information sessions for the Cultural Vistas Cultural Horizons program will be released shortly.

Please return to this page for any updates. Applications for residency subgrants are now open