Culture Helps Solidarity: Collaboration Grants for Arts and Culture

Deadline: 31-Mar-2026

The Culture Helps Solidarity programme offers grants of EUR 20,000–30,000 to Ukrainian and international arts organisations for cross-border collaborations. The initiative promotes cultural participation, supports displaced persons and veterans, strengthens professional capacities, and fosters environmental sustainability and European solidarity.

About Culture Helps Solidarity

Culture Helps Solidarity provides collaboration grants to Ukrainian arts and culture professionals, sustaining creativity, resilience, and community connection during and after the war. The programme supports cross-border partnerships that enhance cultural participation, professional development, and the integration of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees into host communities. It combines grant funding with mentoring, learning, and peer exchange opportunities and runs until 2028.

Programme Objectives and Priorities

The 2026 open call focuses on projects that:

• Facilitate cultural participation and the integration of IDPs and refugees, including veterans and vulnerable groups.

• Foster cross-border networking, professional exchange, and sharing of good practices.

• Strengthen capacities for intercultural dialogue and mental health support.

• Promote professional development of cultural managers in line with EU standards.

• Highlight solidarity and European cultural cooperation in Ukraine’s future.

• Embed environmental sustainability, fair and green transition, and awareness of the ecological impact of war.

Grant Details

• Grant Range: EUR 20,000–30,000

• Partnerships of Two Organisations: Up to EUR 20,000

• Partnerships of Three or More Organisations: Up to EUR 30,000

• Number of Grants: At least 15 international projects, with up to nine grants per category

• Co-Financing: Not mandatory, recommended that the grant covers no more than 80% of the project budget

• Call Period: January to March 2026

Who is Eligible?

• Projects must involve at least two organisations, including:

  • At least one legally registered organisation in Ukraine, active domestically or in exile.

  • At least one organisation legally registered and active in a Creative Europe country.

• At least one partner must operate in the cultural, creative, or civil sector and actively work with displaced persons or refugees from Ukraine, including veterans.

• Lead applicant is responsible for submitting the proposal and signing the grant agreement if selected.

• Applications must be submitted in English, including a complete application form and detailed budget.

Eligible Costs

Grants may cover:

• Production, marketing, and rental of studios or cultural venues

• IT and communication tools

• Materials, travel, and expert fees

• Artists’ honoraria, legal services, and staff costs

• Operational expenses, provided costs are proportionate and justified

• Purchase of goods or services necessary for project implementation in specific cases

Assessment Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Relevance to call objectives and priorities

• Quality, complementarity, and effectiveness of the partnership

• Authenticity, creativity, and experimentation in approach

• Feasibility and realistic budgeting

• Expected impact on communities and cultural participation

• Long-term vision for cultural cooperation between Ukraine and Creative Europe countries

• Commitment to sustainability, ecological responsibility, and resilience

Why This Grant Matters

Culture Helps Solidarity strengthens solidarity, resilience, and cultural exchange, supporting the professional development of Ukrainian arts professionals and their integration into European cultural networks. By funding cross-border collaborations, the programme promotes social cohesion, mental well-being, and the integration of displaced persons and vulnerable groups while fostering long-term European cooperation through culture.

FAQs

1. Who can apply? Partnerships involving at least one Ukrainian organisation and one organisation from a Creative Europe country.

2. What is the maximum grant per project? EUR 30,000 for collaborations of three or more organisations.

3. Are co-financing contributions required? No, but it is recommended that the grant covers no more than 80% of total project costs.

4. What sectors are eligible? Cultural, creative, and civil sectors actively working with displaced persons or refugees.

5. Can veterans be supported? Yes, special attention is given to vulnerable groups including veterans.

6. What types of costs are eligible? Production, marketing, staff, materials, IT, operational expenses, travel, and specific necessary purchases.

7. How are applications assessed? Based on relevance, partnership quality, authenticity, feasibility, impact, long-term cooperation, and sustainability.

Conclusion

The Culture Helps Solidarity 2026 grant round provides a critical opportunity for Ukrainian and international arts organisations to collaborate across borders, strengthen cultural resilience, support displaced persons and veterans, and promote European solidarity. Projects funded through this initiative contribute to lasting social, cultural, and professional impact while embedding sustainability and innovation in the arts.

For more information, visit European Cultural Foundation.