Overview
Cultural Horizons:European Local Culture is a Creative Europe co‑funded grant administered by the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation in partnership with Cultural Vistas to support EU–Ukraine collaborative local cultural projects that create new cultural products, reinterpret local heritage, promote cultural diversity, and improve access for internally displaced persons. Eligible lead applicants are legal entities or individual entrepreneurs registered and operating in territory controlled by Ukraine for at least one year, required to partner with an EU-based organisation; residency subgrants are administered by Cultural Vistas for EU hosts. The total call budget is €200,000 with individual grants from €3,000 to €8,000, project duration up to six months (implementation window Feb–Aug 2027). Applications are submitted via the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation portal with a deadline of 4 September 2026, 19:00 UTC, and selection includes technical eligibility checks and expert evaluation before grant agreements are signed.
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Highlights
What it funds
Small-scale projects that strengthen local cultural ecosystems in Ukraine through EU‑Ukrainian partnerships: new cultural products, heritage preservation and reinterpretation, cultural diversity and minority culture, digital cultural products (VR/AR, mapping, archives), creative spaces, mobile initiatives, residencies and activities improving access for displaced persons.
Who can apply
Lead applicants:legal entities or individual entrepreneurs registered and operating in territory controlled by Ukraine for at least one year; must partner with EU-based organisations. Artists and cultural professionals with Ukrainian citizenship are eligible for specific mobility and mentorship elements.
Grant size and budget:Total call budget €200,000. Individual grants for this European Local Culture call range €3,000 to €8,000. Project implementation up to 6 months, expected implementation window Feb–Aug 2027 1.
- 1Deadline: 4 September 2026 (19:00 UTC).
- 2Duration: up to 6 months (projects to finish by 15 August 2027).
- 3Implemented by Ukrainian Cultural Foundation in partnership with Cultural Vistas and co‑funded by the EU (Creative Europe).
| Call identifier | CREA-CULT |
|---|---|
| Total budget | €200,000 |
| Grant size (per project) | €3,000 — €8,000 |
Priority themes include digital transformation, sustainability, inclusion and gender equality, community development and integration of internally displaced persons.
Where to apply:Full call documentation and the application are available from the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation programme page Cultural Horizons — European Local Culture 1.
Footnotes
- 1Programme page and application portal: ucf.in.ua. Contact for grants: programa.coho@ucf.in.ua; general: info@ucf.in.ua.
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Breakdown
Call identity and administration
Call title:Cultural Horizons: European Local Culture. Identifier: CREA-CULT. Implementing organisations: Ukrainian Cultural Foundation (Ukraine) in partnership with Cultural Vistas gGmbH (Germany). Co-financed by the European Union through Creative Europe and administered under delegated powers by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Call opening and deadlines: single-stage call with deadline 4 September 2026, 19:00 UTC. Project implementation period: projects may start not earlier than 15 February 2027 and must end by 15 August 2027. Overall programme timeframe: 11 June 2026 — 15 August 2027.
Purpose and objectives
Purpose:increase access of Ukrainians, particularly internally displaced persons and people affected by the war, to culture and cultural heritage by supporting local cultural projects developed through EU–Ukrainian partnerships. Objectives include strengthening EU–Ukrainian cultural connections, promoting mentorship for professional development, creating competitive local cultural products, rethinking and preserving local heritage in a European context, supporting cultural diversity and ethnic communities, and improving access and social cohesion within communities.
Eligible applicant types
Eligible applicants and partners:legal entities of all forms of ownership registered and operating in territory controlled by Ukraine for at least one year at the time of the call; individual entrepreneurs registered in Ukraine (with Ukrainian partner acting as lead applicant where applicable); EU-based partner organisations (institutions, cultural organisations, NGOs, cultural enterprises) required to form a partnership with the Ukrainian lead. Artists and cultural professionals with Ukrainian citizenship are eligible for mobility and individual support categories across the Cultural Horizons programme. Residency subgrants (a separate category) are open to EU-based cultural institutions administering residencies for Ukrainian practitioners.
Funding type and financial details
Funding mechanism:grant / subgrant. Total budget for the European Local Culture call: €200,000 (specified equivalence in UAH at UCF materials: 9,554,000 UAH subject to adjustment according to InforEuro exchange rates at grant negotiation). Minimum individual grant: €3,000 (approx. 150,000–155,000 UAH in the published materials). Maximum individual grant: €8,000 (approx. 400,000 UAH). Duration: up to 6 months (project implementation to be completed by 15 August 2027). The overall Cultural Horizons programme includes multiple subgrant categories with different ranges (for reference, other categories show ranges such as €2,500–5,500; €5,000–14,000; €10,000–20,000; residencies €5,000–20,000).
Apply:Applicants can read full call documentation and apply via the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation application page UCF European Local Culture call 1. Contact emails: programa.coho@ucf.in.ua for grant call queries; horizons@ucf.in.ua for other questions. Cultural Vistas contact for residency enquiries: culturalhorizons@culturalvistas.org.
Consortium requirement and partnerships
Consortium model:partnerships between Ukrainian organisations (lead applicants) and EU-based partners are required. The call supports cross-border EU–Ukrainian cooperation. For residency subgrants, EU-based cultural institutions apply to host and implement residency placements and education projects with Ukrainian artistic and cultural workers. The call therefore expects at least a Ukrainian lead and a partner(s) based in EU Member States or EU cultural organisations; specific legal and administrative partnership requirements are set out in call guidelines on the UCF website.
Beneficiary geographic scope
Geographic eligibility:Ukrainian organisations and individual entrepreneurs registered and operating in territory controlled by Ukraine for at least one year at the time of application, working in partnership with EU-based organisations. Residency subgrants are available to EU-based cultural institutions. The programme explicitly targets Ukraine and EU–Ukraine cross-border cooperation. Implementing/partner countries explicitly referenced: Ukraine and Germany (Cultural Vistas); the EU as a region (EU partners and EU Member States).
Target sectors and eligible activities
Sector:cultural and creative industries, arts and cultural heritage. The call encourages cross-sectoral approaches and interdisciplinary projects that integrate different cultural forms into a single coherent concept. The call prioritises digital transformation, sustainable development and environmental responsibility, inclusion and gender equality, and cultural integration of internally displaced persons.
- 1Eligible cultural products include art objects (including integration into public space); performances and performance projects; expositions and re-expositions (notably using multimedia, VR/AR); guided tours and virtual tours (interactive guides, 3D tours); interactive maps and digital mapping of cultural heritage; creative spaces (laboratories, workshops, experimental platforms); art exhibitions (offline and online); mobile cultural initiatives (traveling exhibitions, cinemas, libraries, performances); residencies for artists and cultural practitioners; digital cultural products (3D models, AR/VR/MR solutions, multimedia installations, digital archives and catalogs).
- 2Preference for projects that integrate modern/innovative practices and digital technologies (AR/VR, AI, Big Data), inclusive formats, sustainability practices, audience engagement innovations, and elements of traditional/local culture reimagined in a European context.
- 3Residency subgrants administered by Cultural Vistas focus on EU-based institutions hosting Ukrainian artistic and cultural workers (subgrant amounts per residency: €5,000–20,000; minimum of 20 subgrants to be provided within that category).
Project stage and expected outputs
Project maturity:the call targets small to medium-scale implementation projects, creative production, piloting and demonstration of new cultural products and activities, and professional development actions. Projects should be implementation-ready for a short-term (up to 6 months) delivery period ending by 15 August 2027. Expected outputs: new cultural products, exhibitions, digital cultural assets, residencies, enhanced skills and professional networks, increased access for displaced persons, documentation and promotion of local heritage in European context.
Application type, stages and templates
Application type:open call / competitive single-stage submission via UCF application portal. Deadline: 4 September 2026, 19:00 UTC. The call process includes a technical eligibility check (scheduled 8–20 September 2026), expert evaluation (until 19 November 2026), grant agreement signature by March 2027, and project start no earlier than 15 February 2027. Project implementation end date fixed as 15 August 2027, including reporting requirements.
Application materials and templates:the programme provides downloadable documents and templates for applicants, including a Work Plan template for residency subgrants and a Budget template for residency subgrants. The Cultural Vistas site provides a residency guide and budget/workplan templates; the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation site provides Guidelines for Applicants and call-specific documents. Applicants should consult the published templates to ensure formatting, budget lines and workplan structure meet required standards.
Selection, evaluation and timelines
Evaluation process:applications will undergo a technical eligibility check followed by expert evaluation. Timetable indicated: technical eligibility check 8–20 September 2026; expert evaluation until 19 November 2026; grant agreement signature targeted by March 2027. Mentor selection and training for the programme have separate timelines (mentor application March–May 2026; course June–July 2026; selection July 2026).
Success rates, co-funding and financial conditions
Success rates:not specified in the published call documentation. Applicants should assume competitive selection and prepare strong partnership, sustainability and impact justifications. Co-funding requirement: the call documentation and public summaries do not explicitly state a mandatory co-funding percentage for the European Local Culture subgrant; applicants must consult the Guidelines for Applicants and the application form to confirm any co-financing, eligible costs, and financing rules. The programme text emphasises that UAH equivalents of the EUR budget may be adjusted according to InforEuro exchange rates at the time of grant agreement preparation.
Administrative, eligibility and quality requirements
Administrative eligibility highlights:Ukrainian legal entities and individual entrepreneurs must be registered and operating in territory controlled by Ukraine for at least one year at the time of the call and must have an EU partner. EU-based partners and EU institutions are expected to be involved. Mentor eligibility: professionals must be residents of the EU or Ukraine, demonstrate proven expertise in designing and implementing cultural/artist projects, adhere to inclusivity, gender balance and diversity principles, show intercultural awareness, and have full professional working proficiency in English. Detailed eligibility, required supporting documents, and selection criteria are set out in the call Guidelines on the UCF website and must be followed strictly.
| Budget item | Value / range |
|---|---|
| Total call budget (European Local Culture) | €200,000 (UAH equivalent published: 9,554,000 UAH; subject to InforEuro adjustments) |
| Minimum grant per project | €3,000 (approx. 150,000–155,000 UAH as published) |
| Maximum grant per project | €8,000 (approx. 400,000 UAH as published) |
| Residency subgrant range (programme-wide) | €5,000–20,000 (administered by Cultural Vistas; minimum of 20 subgrants) |
| Project duration | Up to 6 months; implementation start not earlier than 15 Feb 2027, end by 15 Aug 2027 |
What applicants must prepare (recommended checklist)
- 1Read Guidelines for Applicants and category-specific instructions on the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation website and Cultural Vistas residency guide where relevant.
- 2Assemble legal documentation proving registration and operation in Ukrainian-controlled territory for at least one year for Ukrainian leads; for EU partners include organisation identification and contact details.
- 3Develop a detailed work plan using the provided template (work plan template mandatory for residency proposals).
- 4Prepare a budget using the provided budget template. Ensure eligible cost lines and currency rules are followed and note potential exchange rate adjustments conducted at the grant negotiation stage.
- 5Describe partnership roles, expected outputs, dissemination and sustainability strategy, inclusion/accessibility measures, digital/sustainability measures and how the project links local heritage to a European context.
- 6Collect letters of support or partnership confirmations from EU partners, mentors (if applicable), and any community stakeholders.
- 7Submit the application through the UCF application portal by the single-stage deadline (4 September 2026, 19:00 UTC).
Mentioned countries and regions
Explicitly mentioned:Ukraine and Germany (Cultural Vistas gGmbH). Regionally: European Union / EU Member States as partners; wider emphasis on EU–Ukraine cross-border cooperation and integration into the European cultural space.
Project categories within the Cultural Horizons programme (context)
The Cultural Horizons programme provides subgrants across five categories:Mobility; Debuts; Innovative Cultural Products; European Local Culture (this call); and Residencies (administered by Cultural Vistas). Each category has its own funding range and implementation timeframe. The European Local Culture call specifically targets local cultural ecosystems, community-focused cultural products, heritage re-interpretation, cultural diversity and inclusion, and access for internally displaced persons.
Application support and additional resources
Information sessions (online and offline) will be organised; applicants should follow updates at the programme websites: horizons.ucf.in.ua and culturalvistas.eu. The Ukrainian Cultural Foundation page for the call contains Guidelines for Applicants, work plan and budget templates, and FAQs. For technical or call-specific enquiries contact programa.coho@ucf.in.ua. For residency-related guidance contact culturalhorizons@culturalvistas.org.
Unknowns and items requiring confirmation in official documents
The public summary does not provide a specific success rate or the exact number of awards to be made for the European Local Culture call. It does not explicitly state a mandatory co-funding percentage for this subgrant category in the summary materials; applicants must consult the full Guidelines for Applicants and the application form for confirmation of co-financing rules, eligible cost categories, VAT treatment, audit and reporting obligations, and detailed eligibility criteria.
Concise final summary
The European Local Culture call under the Cultural Horizons programme is a Creative Europe co-funded grant stream administered by the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation (with Cultural Vistas partnering on residencies) aiming to support Ukrainian local cultural projects developed in partnership with EU organisations. It provides small grants (€3,000–8,000) to produce and promote local cultural products, preserve and reinterpret heritage in a European context, promote inclusion and access (especially for internally displaced persons), integrate digital and sustainable practices, and strengthen EU–Ukraine cultural links. Applications are single-stage and competitive; applicants must be Ukrainian legal entities or individual entrepreneurs operating in Ukrainian-controlled territory with EU partners, or EU-based institutions for residency subgrants. Detailed guidelines, workplan and budget templates are provided on the UCF and Cultural Vistas websites and applicants should follow the official documents and information sessions to prepare compliant proposals. For application access and full documentation see the UCF call page UCF European Local Culture call 1.
Footnotes
- 1Official call and application documents available from the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation: ucf.in.ua
Short Summary
Impact Increase access to culture for Ukrainians (especially internally displaced persons), strengthen EU–Ukraine cultural links, and produce new local cultural products that preserve and reinterpret regional heritage in a contemporary European context. | Impact | Increase access to culture for Ukrainians (especially internally displaced persons), strengthen EU–Ukraine cultural links, and produce new local cultural products that preserve and reinterpret regional heritage in a contemporary European context. |
Applicant Applicants should have proven capacity in cultural project design and management, community engagement and inclusion, heritage interpretation, and the use of digital/innovative tools (e.g., AR/VR, digital archives), plus basic grant administration and English-language cooperation skills. | Applicant | Applicants should have proven capacity in cultural project design and management, community engagement and inclusion, heritage interpretation, and the use of digital/innovative tools (e.g., AR/VR, digital archives), plus basic grant administration and English-language cooperation skills. |
Developments Short-term implementation of community-focused cultural outputs such as art objects, performances, exhibitions, digital cultural products (3D/AR/VR), guided/virtual tours, interactive mapping, creative spaces and artist residencies that reconnect local heritage with European audiences. | Developments | Short-term implementation of community-focused cultural outputs such as art objects, performances, exhibitions, digital cultural products (3D/AR/VR), guided/virtual tours, interactive mapping, creative spaces and artist residencies that reconnect local heritage with European audiences. |
Applicant Type Primarily Ukrainian legal entities, cultural organisations and individual entrepreneurs (NGOs/non-profits, cultural SMEs and individual cultural practitioners). | Applicant Type | Primarily Ukrainian legal entities, cultural organisations and individual entrepreneurs (NGOs/non-profits, cultural SMEs and individual cultural practitioners). |
Consortium Projects must be implemented through cross-border partnerships, with Ukrainian lead applicants collaborating with EU-based partner organisations. | Consortium | Projects must be implemented through cross-border partnerships, with Ukrainian lead applicants collaborating with EU-based partner organisations. |
Funding Amount Individual grants range from €3,000 to €8,000 per project (total call budget €200,000). | Funding Amount | Individual grants range from €3,000 to €8,000 per project (total call budget €200,000). |
Countries Ukraine is the primary beneficiary country (lead applicants must be registered and operating in Ukrainian-controlled territory); EU Member States are relevant as required partner locations (Germany is explicitly involved via Cultural Vistas). | Countries | Ukraine is the primary beneficiary country (lead applicants must be registered and operating in Ukrainian-controlled territory); EU Member States are relevant as required partner locations (Germany is explicitly involved via Cultural Vistas). |
Industry Cultural and creative industries / cultural heritage (Creative Europe co-funded Cultural Horizons programme). | Industry | Cultural and creative industries / cultural heritage (Creative Europe co-funded Cultural Horizons programme). |
Additional Web Data
What This Call Supports
This call supports local cultural projects and ecosystems as part of the wider European cultural space, focusing on creating new cultural products, reimagining local heritage in a contemporary European context, preserving regional heritage, promoting cultural diversity, empowering ethnic communities, and improving access to culture for all Ukrainians, especially internally displaced persons (IDPs) 1.
Key Priorities:Creation of new local cultural products representing regional identity within a European context; development of community cultural potential; integration of modern technologies with traditional culture; promotion of cultural diversity and national minorities; and advancement of IDP cultural integration 2.
Who Can Apply
Eligible applicants include legal entities and individual entrepreneurs based in Ukraine (registered and operating in territory controlled by Ukraine for at least one year), provided they have an EU partner acting as a co-applicant; the Ukrainian partner must serve as the lead applicant 3.
- 1Ukrainian legal entities or individual entrepreneurs (minimum 1-year operation)
- 2EU-based partner organizations (mandatory for partnership)
- 3Ukrainian artists and cultural professionals with citizenship (for specific mobility/debuts categories, not this call)
- 4Ukrainian partners must be lead applicants
Funding Details & Conditions
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Call Budget | €200,000 (UAH 9,554,000) |
| Minimum Grant Amount | €3,000 (UAH 155,000) |
| Maximum Grant Amount | €8,000 (UAH 400,000) |
| Project Duration | Up to 6 months (Jan–Aug 2027) |
| Funding Type | Grant (non-repayable) |
| Exchange Rate Note | UAH amount may adjust based on InforEuro rates at negotiation start |
The grant amount in Ukrainian hryvnias will be specified on the day the call for project applications opens, and the total budget in UAH may be adjusted upward or downward based on average monthly accounting exchange rates published by the European Commission (InforEuro) 4.
Eligible Cultural Products
- Art objects (creation and integration into public space)
- Performances and performance projects
- Expositions and re-expositions (using multimedia, VR/AR)
- Guided tours and virtual tour products (interactive guides, 3D tours)
- Interactive maps and digital mapping of cultural heritage
- Creative spaces (laboratories, workshops, experimental platforms)
- Art exhibitions (offline and online formats)
- Mobile cultural initiatives (traveling exhibitions, cinemas, libraries)
- Residencies for artists and cultural practitioners
- Digital cultural products (3D models, AR/VR/MR, digital archives)
Timeline & Deadlines
The application deadline is 4 September 2026 at 19:00 UTC; technical eligibility check runs from 8–20 September 2026; expert evaluation concludes by 19 November 2026; grant agreement signature is expected by March 2027; project implementation starts no earlier than 15 February 2027 and ends by 15 August 2027 (including reporting) 5.
How to Apply & Contact
Applicants can read more information and apply via the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation portal at UCF Application Portal; offline and online information sessions will be organized, and updates are available at Cultural Horizons Site and Cultural Vistas Site 6.
For grant call questions, contact programa.coho@ucf.in.ua; for other questions, contact horizons@ucf.in.ua; the project is a collaboration between the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation (Ukraine) and Cultural Vistas gGmbH (Germany), co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union 7.
Footnotes
- 1Official call description from the EU Funding & Tenders Portal: European Local Culture Call
- 2Call priorities detailed in UCF Guidelines for Applicants: UCF Guidelines
- 3Eligibility criteria from UCF website: UCF Eligibility
- 4Budget adjustment note from UCF Guidelines: Budget Adjustment Note
- 5Timeline details from EU Funding Portal: Timeline Details
- 6Application portal and information session details: UCF Application Portal
- 7Program partners and funding source: Cultural Horizons Program
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