Open Call: Culture Sync Grants Program for Cultural Collaboration (Ukraine)

Deadline: 03-Dec-2025

The British Council is offering grants of up to £10,000 to support Ukrainian public cultural events that integrate British content, expertise, and creative collaboration. Eligible projects include exhibitions, screenings, workshops, residencies, and collaborative art initiatives across literature, music, film, visual arts, design, fashion, and architecture, with an emphasis on equality, diversity, inclusion, and climate sustainability.

Overview of the Grant Program

This initiative aims to strengthen cultural collaboration between the UK and Ukraine by expanding the international dimension of Ukrainian public cultural events. Projects should integrate British content and expertise while responding to the local cultural context, promoting creative exchange, and fostering participation among diverse communities.

Objectives

• Promote British cultural content in Ukrainian public events.

• Encourage arts and creative collaborations across sectors.

• Strengthen inclusion and diversity, with a focus on women, youth, and underrepresented communities.

• Support sustainable event formats, including physical, digital, and hybrid models.

Eligible Activities

Projects may include:

• Exhibitions featuring works by British artists.

• Screenings of British films at festivals, public events, or limited releases.

• Participation of British speakers or experts in conferences, workshops, and residencies.

• Collaborative art projects and short-term artist exchanges.

• Initiatives that integrate arts education or creative industries components.

Projects should consider climate sustainability and align with the current Ukrainian context, including security considerations.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must be:

• Non-profit organizations legally registered in Ukraine.

• Focused on culture, art, or education with cultural programming experience.

• Able to demonstrate successful delivery of previous cultural projects, preferably with international collaboration.

Priority is given to:

• Organizations that have not previously received British Council support under similar programs.

• Initiatives involving women, youth, or underrepresented communities.

Funding and Duration

• Maximum Grant: £10,000 per project.

• Program Budget Covers:

  • Contractor, expert, and speaker fees.

  • Production, manufacturing, and licensing costs.

  • Translation, interpretation, and accessibility support (e.g., sign language, subtitling).

  • Promotion, marketing, and community engagement activities.

  • Travel and insurance.

  • Limited technical equipment for power-outage resilience, shelter improvements, or safety.

• Exclusions: Office equipment purchases.

• Project Duration: April 2026 – January 2027.

• One project per organization may be funded.

How to Apply / Submission Process

1. Prepare Proposal: Clearly outline project goals, British content integration, target audiences, formats (physical, digital, hybrid), and inclusion measures.

2. Submit Application: Via the designated British Council portal.

3. Mandatory Training: All selected grantees must complete British Council training on safety, security, equality, diversity, and inclusion.

4. Implementation: Conduct activities within the approved timeframe and comply with security guidance.

5. Monitoring and Reporting: Include progress reports, evaluation of outcomes, and adherence to accessibility commitments.

Why It Matters

• Expands international cultural collaboration between the UK and Ukraine.

• Strengthens creative industries and arts education across Ukrainian communities.

• Promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion in cultural programming.

• Enhances community engagement, participation, and cultural resilience under challenging conditions.

Tips for Successful Applications

• Demonstrate clear integration of British content and expertise.

• Highlight measures for inclusion, accessibility, and climate-conscious practices.

• Align projects with current Ukrainian context and security conditions.

• Include measurable indicators for audience engagement and participation.

• Ensure compliance with grant funding rules and eligible costs.

FAQ

1. What is the maximum funding available? £10,000 per project.
2. Who can apply? Non-profit organizations legally registered in Ukraine working in culture, art, or education.
3. Can for-profit entities apply? No, only non-profit organizations are eligible.
4. Are digital or hybrid events eligible? Yes, depending on security and accessibility considerations.
5. Are office equipment purchases covered? No, only project-related technical equipment is allowed.
6. Is previous British Council experience required? No, but priority is given to organizations without prior support.
7. Are projects required to include accessibility measures? Yes, including options such as sign language interpretation, subtitling, or personal assistants.

Conclusion

The British Council Ukraine Cultural Grants offer a strategic opportunity for organizations to integrate British creative expertise into local events, promote inclusion, and strengthen cultural collaboration. By funding projects across multiple art forms and formats, the program enhances participation, supports underrepresented groups, and fosters resilient, internationally connected cultural initiatives across Ukraine.

For more information, visit British Council.