Mykolaiv is the hub of European technologies and experience: CREA centre of the city held “Creative Talks” and spoke about Europe’s support of artists

Supporting Ukrainian culture at the time of war is an important step for the nation’s self-identity. After all, destroying national culture is one of the enemy’s main goals.

It is thanks to the support of the EU Delegation in Mykolaiv that the discussion of the role of the European cooperation in culture with a presentation of new cultural opportunities was held.

Ukrainians, and especially, creative Ukrainians are going through hard times, but we can rely on assistance of the European partnership even in this situation.

CREA centre in Mykolaiv held a thematic event titled “Creative Talks – the Role of European Cooperation in Culture” was held to improve communication and awareness about the options of supporting artists in Ukraine.

Artem Vashchylenko, coordinator of Team Europe Mykolaiv, head of regional initiatives and projects of the EU, says these kinds of events are become platforms for discussion and exchange of experience among representatives of creative industries.

“This is not the first year Mykolaiv gathers communities related to development of the region, but now with a special focus on creative industries. Interest in Ukrainian culture and cooperation with Ukrainians have become a catalyst in the world. It is a very important instrument for launching and developing own projects. We are happy to receive support from the EU not only in hot spots, but also for development of culture,” he emphasized.

Artem Vashchylenko noted that the European Parliament is now focusing on development of the Ukrainian culture and is trying to join efforts to support culture.

“Providing support to cultural figures to help develop the road map for Ukraine, for rebuilding it: those are wonderful and specific instruments for all parties involved. Overall, EUR 5 million will be allocated to support art and culture organizations,” stated the coordinator of Team Europe Mykolaiv.

Denys Chernikov, manager of the “Information Support of EU Networks in Ukraine” project, showed historical ties of Mykolaiv with Europe as an example. The hero city is a historical phenomenon to be duly displayed in the context of industrial culture, he said.

“Mykolaiv is the hub of European technologies and experience. If you remove the myths of the Russian Empire, you will see that Mykolaiv has always been tied to Europe. For example, in the end of the 19th century, there were foreign direct investments from France and Belgium, while during the years of independence, European investors started to arrive to the city, although the process was unfortunately interrupted. Had the trend strengthened further, Ukraine would have quickly become an EU member,” he stated.

As an example, he used the countries from the Soviet camp: Poland, Romania and other countries, which at first were quite cautiously and not very willingly accepted to the European family.

“Nonetheless, they got rid of Soviet atavisms, and created good conditions for investors. The EU provided the resource for that: investments for infrastructure, funding for education, etc. Ukraine must be a part of Europe, and the EU is helping us win the war: with sanctions, assistance for the army, humanitarian aid, fighting corruption, etc. Next, rebuilding Ukraine should ensure EU membership for us,” he noted.

Denys Chernikov stressed that the post-war rebuilding of Ukraine should take place under a new, similar to the Marshall, plan with the help of Europe. And in this sense, the link with the culture and European values should not be lost.

As a part of the meeting, Yaroslav Dyakiv, head of the National Bureau of the “Creative Europe Desk Ukraine” program, spoke about opportunities for creative industries of the country to receive financial support from the EU.

“Creative Europe” is an EU-funded programme that is approved every 7 years. This year’s budget is EUR 2.8 billion. Ukraine is the programme’s full-fledged participants and Ukrainian can submit applications for funding. At the moment, there are three programs in the Culture section, including the program for artists’ mobility. The goal of the program is to protect, develop and spread European cultural and language diversity and also cultural heritage,” he emphasized.

At the moment, the programme has three sub-areas: culture (culture and creative sectors), media (audio-visual sector and film industry), and intersectoral cooperation (mass media, cooperation between different sectors, innovations, etc.). The information for participating in the programme is available on the website of “Creative Europe Desk Ukraine. There are also forms for searching for partners.

“At the moment, there are several programs in the Culture section, including the programme for artists’ mobility titled Culture Moves Europe, and also a special competition for Ukraine and Music Moves Europe. There is also a Contest for media, which is currently open for Ukrainians and related to audience development and film education. In addition, the applications are accepted this month for the tender on support of displaced Ukrainians and cultural and creative sectors of Ukraine,” he informed.

Those willing to participate in one of the contests need to keep in mind the following: they need to find the Funding tender opportunities section with the list of contests on the European Commission portal. Note that only legal entities / private entrepreneurs registered for more than two years, which apply individually or as a consortium, can participate in tenders. Also, an entity must be registered in a Creative Europe member country and have knowledge of the English languages.

Furthermore, there is a project under the “Cascade grants”. There is funding in the amount of EUR 5 million for three consortiums that create a mechanism on distribution of these funds for small organizations in creative industries. Yaroslav Dyakiv stated that the project needs to be closely reviewed, although it doesn’t make it any less important. Detailed conditions for participation are available at the link:

Yulia Filipyeva, representative of House of Europe, spoke about new opportunities for the sector of creative industries offered by the organization. These include support of such areas as medicine, education, media, social entrepreneurship and working with the youth.

The first wave of tenders involves provisions of Creative Business Survival Kits, grants of international cooperation, and big infrastructural grants. Detailed information is available at houseofeurope.org.ua.

Also, as a part of the “Creative Talks” event, Tetiana Chichkalyuk, head of “Association of Tourist Business Leaders of Mykolaiv Oblast” NGO, shared information about a unique exhibition of wartime caricatures titled “Russian Warship, Go…”, which opened in Ukraine and was presented in nearly every country in Europe. The project is still relevant and is the best way to tell the world about the war in Ukraine.

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