New Initiative to Support Cultural Communities in Ukraine

A new initiative is set to launch in Ukraine, establishing regional representatives of the Ukrainian Cultural Fund to assist cultural communities in the Odesa and Sumy regions. This information was revealed in a press release provided by Suspilne Culture.
The launch of this new network aims to strengthen cooperation between the fund and local communities. The pilot phase will be implemented in two regions — Odesa and Sumy.

Anastasia Obraztsova, the Executive Director of the UCF, noted that the selection of regions was based on statistical data: applicants from these areas show high activity, but only 1 to 5 projects are implemented. The goal of the initiative is to help local communities increase their capacity and the number of successfully implemented projects.
"We want each region to have its successful cultural project that inspires others and demonstrates that significant changes start locally".
UCF representatives will assist cultural communities in better understanding grant program requirements, preparing quality applications, finding partners, and implementing their ideas.

What is the UCF?

The Ukrainian Cultural Fund (UCF) is a state investor in the development of culture and creative industries. The institution was founded in 2017 based on the Law of Ukraine "On the Ukrainian Cultural Fund".

Project support is provided on a competitive basis across seven sectors:

• audiovisual arts;
• visual arts;
• performing arts;
• cultural heritage;
• literature;
• theatrical and stage arts;
• creative and cultural industries.

In its eight years of operation, the fund has financed 2951 projects, with a total investment exceeding 2 billion hryvnias and an audience reach of 56 million people. According to the draft state budget for 2026, it is planned to allocate 410.9 million UAH to the UCF (in 2025 — 250.7 million). Additionally, next year, in the ninth grant season, separate grants for audiovisual creators will be established — these programs will operate independently of UCF’s collaboration with the State Cinema and the Ministry of Culture.