“European Local Culture” Competition Supported by the UCF and the EU

The Ukrainian Cultural Foundation has begun accepting applications for the “European Local Culture” competition under the “Cultural Horizons” programme, co-funded by the European Union. The deadline for submissions is 4 September at 18:00.

Guidance for applicants:

Before submitting an application, applicants must carefully read the Applicant Guidelines for the “European Local Culture” competition and use them as a practical reference at all stages of participation — from completing the application form to reporting on project results. Sample copies of all required documents are provided at the end of the guidelines.

The “European Local Culture” competition supports projects aimed at:

• creating new local cultural products that represent regional identity in a European context and promote both tangible and intangible cultural heritage;
• developing the cultural potential of communities and enhancing their capacity to produce competitive cultural products oriented towards sustainable local development;
• integrating contemporary approaches, innovative practices, and technologies into local cultural initiatives in combination with elements of traditional culture;
• promoting cultural diversity, including the cultures of national minorities and communities, and supporting their harmonious coexistence within a European values framework;
• fostering the cultural integration of internally displaced persons through engagement in local cultural processes and practices.

Who may apply:

• a local self-government body of a settlement (excluding regional centres and the city of Kyiv), registered in Ukraine (excluding temporarily occupied territories) in accordance with Ukrainian legislation, with no restrictions on registration period, and with relevant experience in the cultural sector;
• a legal entity of any form of ownership or a sole trader, each registered in Ukraine (excluding temporarily occupied territories, regional centres, and the city of Kyiv) for at least one year prior to the start of the competition, and with relevant experience in the cultural sector;
• please note: an international partner is not a mandatory requirement for this competition.

Funding amounts:

• total competition budget — UAH 9,554,000 (€200,000);
• minimum grant amount — UAH 155,000 (€3,000);
• maximum grant amount — UAH 400,000 (€8,000).

Eligible project types:

• art installations (creation and integration into public space);
• performances and performative projects;
• exhibitions and re-exhibitions (including those using multimedia technologies, VR/AR);
• guided tour and virtual tour products (interactive guides, 3D tours, etc.);
• interactive maps and digital mapping of cultural heritage;
• creative spaces (laboratories, workshops, experimental platforms);
• art exhibitions (offline and online formats);
• mobile cultural initiatives (travelling exhibitions, cinemas, libraries, performances);
• residencies for artists and cultural practitioners;
• digital cultural products (3D models, AR/VR/MR solutions, multimedia installations, digital archives and catalogues).

A combination of several sectors that complement and reinforce one another is permitted, integrating different forms of cultural initiatives into a single cohesive concept within a cross-sectoral project.

Key points to bear in mind:

• the applicant may be a local self-government body, a sole trader, or a legal entity of any form of ownership, each registered in Ukraine, excluding regional centres and Kyiv;
• legal entities of any form of ownership or sole traders must be registered in Ukraine (excluding temporarily occupied territories, regional centres, and the city of Kyiv) for at least one year prior to the start of the competition and must have relevant experience in the cultural sector;
• all mass and ceremonial events are subject to mandatory approval by the relevant military administrations and must be accompanied by confirmation that a shelter is available for the planned number of participants;
• the implementation language for all projects is Ukrainian; accompanying materials in foreign languages must be provided with a Ukrainian translation;
• the combined share of expenditure on remuneration for team members and fees for non-team members (including the unified social contribution) must not exceed 50% of the total grant expenditure.

How to apply:

1. Read the competition guidelines, which outline the selection calendar and procedure, as well as answers to frequently asked questions.
2. Register on the UCF website as an applicant.
3. Select the “Cultural Horizons” programme, the “European Local Culture” lot and competition type, complete the application form, and sign it with a digital signature.
4. A step-by-step guide on how to submit an application is available via the link.
5. Guidance on what to do if an application does not pass the technical screening is also available via the link.

“Cultural Horizons” is an international programme run by the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation and Cultural Vistas (Germany), combining grant support, mentorship, and professional exchange between Ukraine and EU countries. It contributes to strengthening the cultural sector in Ukraine and social cohesion by supporting partnership initiatives, as well as expanding access to cultural practices for Ukrainians affected by the war. The initiative is co-funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) alone and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority bears any responsibility for them.