ZMINA: Resilience International Cultural Co-Creation Showcase Programme

Deadline: 14-Sep-2026

The ZMINA Resilience programme is accepting applications to support the international presentation of co-created cultural works developed by Ukrainian organisations and Creative Europe partners. The funding opportunity helps cultural organisations expand audience reach, organize public showcases and tours, adapt artistic works for different communities, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of creative collaborations.

The programme supports cross-border cultural cooperation between Ukraine and other Creative Europe countries by promoting artistic exchange, audience engagement, translation, contextualisation, and international visibility of creative projects.

Overview of the ZMINA Resilience Programme

The ZMINA Resilience programme provides financial support for cultural projects that showcase artistic works created through partnerships between Ukrainian organisations and organisations from other Creative Europe countries.

The programme focuses on:

• International presentation of cultural and artistic co-creations.
• Strengthening cooperation between Ukrainian and European cultural organisations.
• Increasing visibility and audience access for creative works.
• Supporting public presentations, exhibitions, performances, and tours.
• Improving sustainability and future opportunities for cultural projects.
• Helping artists adapt works for new cultural environments.

The initiative aims to ensure that Ukrainian-European cultural collaborations reach wider audiences across multiple countries.

Purpose of the Funding Opportunity

The main objective of this call is to support projects that present co-created artistic and cultural works developed through international partnerships.

Funded projects should:

• Showcase cultural works created jointly by Ukrainian and Creative Europe organisations.
• Expand audience engagement across different countries.
• Promote cultural exchange and international collaboration.
• Increase awareness of Ukrainian artistic production.
• Create opportunities for artists and communities to participate in cultural dialogue.

The programme encourages projects that make creative works accessible to diverse audiences through adaptation, interpretation, and community involvement.

Supported Activities

Projects supported under this programme may include activities that improve the international presentation and accessibility of cultural works.

Eligible activities include:

• Public presentations of artistic works.
• International touring programmes.
• Cultural exhibitions, performances, and creative showcases.
• Translation and interpretation services.
• Adaptation of artistic content for new audiences.
• Contextualisation of cultural materials.
• Collaboration with local artists and cultural experts.
• Community engagement activities.
• Educational and audience development programmes.
• Parallel events connected to artistic presentations.

These activities should help audiences better understand and engage with the showcased works.

Eligible Creative and Cultural Sectors

The programme is open to creative and cultural projects from a wide range of artistic fields.

Eligible sectors include:

• Performing arts.
• Visual arts.
• Literary and cultural projects.
• Music.
• Cultural heritage.
• Design and creative industries.
• Other non-audiovisual cultural sectors.

Audiovisual works are not eligible under this funding opportunity.

Project Requirements

Applicants must meet specific partnership and presentation requirements.

Each project must:

• Include at least one Ukrainian organisation.
• Include at least one organisation from another Creative Europe country.
• Present cultural works created through collaboration between partners.
• Organise at least six public presentation events.
• Hold events in at least two countries.
• Organise at least three events in each participating country.
• Include Ukraine as one of the countries where events take place.

Additional requirement:

• Public events cannot take place in the home city or town of any participating organisation.

This requirement ensures that projects reach new audiences beyond the organisations’ existing local networks.

Funding Details

The ZMINA Resilience programme provides financial support for selected cultural projects.

Funding information:

• Total available budget: €950,000.
• Maximum grant per project: €50,000.
• Maximum funding coverage: Up to 90% of eligible project costs.

Applicants must secure additional resources to cover the remaining project expenses.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Eligible applicants include organisations active in arts and culture sectors that are legally registered in Creative Europe countries.

Eligible applicants may include:

• Cultural organisations.
• Arts institutions.
• Nonprofit cultural organisations.
• Creative sector organisations.
• Registered artistic organisations.
• Other eligible cultural entities.

Eligible countries include:

• European Union countries participating in Creative Europe.
• Non-EU Creative Europe participating countries.
• Ukraine.

Ukrainian organisations must be registered in territories currently under the effective control of the Ukrainian government.

Partnership Requirements

Projects must be based on international cooperation and shared responsibility.

Partnership requirements include:

• A lead applicant must submit the application.
• At least two partner organisations must participate.
• Partners must represent at least two countries.
• Ukraine must be included as one of the participating countries.
• All partners share responsibility for project implementation and reporting.

The partnership model ensures equal participation and collaboration among participating organisations.

Why This Programme Matters

The ZMINA Resilience programme supports cultural recovery, international cooperation, and artistic exchange.

The programme is important because it helps:

• Increase global visibility of Ukrainian cultural works.
• Strengthen connections between Ukrainian and European cultural sectors.
• Support artists and creative communities.
• Encourage cross-border cultural dialogue.
• Expand audiences for innovative artistic projects.
• Create sustainable opportunities for future cultural cooperation.

By supporting international showcases, the programme helps cultural projects reach communities beyond their original locations.

How the Programme Works

The implementation process includes several key stages:

Project Development and Partnership Formation

Applicants develop a collaborative cultural project involving Ukrainian and Creative Europe organisations.

Partners define:

• Artistic goals.
• Presentation strategy.
• Audience engagement plans.
• Touring locations.
• Roles and responsibilities.

Application Submission

The lead applicant submits the proposal on behalf of the partnership.

The application should explain:

• The cultural work being showcased.
• The participating organisations.
• The international presentation plan.
• Audience development strategies.
• Budget and implementation timeline.

Project Implementation

Selected projects carry out planned activities, including:

• Public presentations.
• Cultural events.
• Touring activities.
• Audience engagement programmes.
• Local collaborations.

Reporting and Evaluation

All partners contribute to project reporting and demonstrate:

• Completed activities.
• Audience reach.
• Financial use of funds.
• Project outcomes.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid the following issues:

• Submitting projects without a Ukrainian partner.
• Including fewer than two participating organisations.
• Failing to meet the minimum public event requirements.
• Organising events only in partner organisations’ home locations.
• Applying with audiovisual projects.
• Providing unclear audience development plans.
• Submitting incomplete partnership or budget information.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Proposal

Applicants can improve their proposals by:

• Clearly explaining the cultural value of the project.
• Demonstrating meaningful collaboration between partners.
• Providing a realistic international showcasing plan.
• Explaining how audiences from different cultural backgrounds will engage with the work.
• Including strong communication and visibility strategies.
• Showing how the project can continue beyond the funding period.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the ZMINA Resilience programme?

The ZMINA Resilience programme is a cultural funding initiative that supports international showcasing of co-created cultural works involving Ukrainian organisations and Creative Europe partners.

What types of projects are supported?

The programme supports non-audiovisual cultural and artistic projects, including performances, exhibitions, creative works, cultural events, and other artistic collaborations.

How much funding can a project receive?

Each selected project may receive up to €50,000, covering up to 90% of eligible project costs.

Must projects include Ukrainian organisations?

Yes. Every project must include at least one Ukrainian organisation as part of the partnership.

How many public events are required?

Each project must include at least six public presentation events, with at least three events taking place in each of at least two countries, including Ukraine.

Who can apply for funding?

Eligible applicants include registered cultural and arts organisations from Creative Europe countries, including EU and non-EU participating countries.

Can audiovisual projects apply?

No. Audiovisual works are excluded from this funding opportunity.

Conclusion

The ZMINA Resilience programme provides an important opportunity for Ukrainian and European cultural organisations to expand the reach of collaborative artistic works. By supporting international showcases, cultural exchange, audience development, and sustainable creative partnerships, the programme strengthens the role of culture in building connections between communities and countries.

For more information, visit IZOLYATSIA Foundation.