Artistic Debuts (LOT 3, 'Cultural Horizons' programme)
Verified by the editorial team 29 September 2026
Updated Added the 03.08 opening date, mandatory partnership with EU organisations, UAH 18 million budget, EUR amounts and implementation dates
Summary
UAH 250,000 to 715,000 (EUR 5,000-14,000) for cultural products created with graduates of arts education institutions and in partnership with organisations from EU countries. The total call budget is UAH 18 million; applications close at 18:00 on 5 October 2026.
About the call
Artistic Debuts is part of the Cultural Horizons programme, run by the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation with Cultural Vistas gGmbH and co-financed by the EU under Creative Europe. It helps graduates of arts education institutions establish themselves as artists and cultural professionals, and supports formal and non-formal arts education institutions.
The cultural product must be created with the direct involvement of young artists (as authors, performers, team members) and through international partnership with organisations registered in EU member states. A mandatory condition is proven integration of young artists into the professional environment: cooperation with cultural institutions, public presentations, residencies, mentoring. Supported sectors are audio, audiovisual and visual arts, cultural heritage, creative industries, literature and performing arts.
EU priorities are digital transformation, sustainability and inclusion. Technical screening runs 6-19 October 2026; implementation runs from the contract date, but not earlier than 15 March 2027, until 15 August 2027.
Who can apply
- Legal entities of any ownership form or sole proprietors
- Registered in Ukraine (excluding occupied territories) at least one year before the call
- With relevant experience in the cultural sector
Who cannot apply
- Applicants registered in temporarily occupied territories
What the funds are for
- Audio and audiovisual works
- Exhibitions, installations, digital art
- Cultural heritage and creative industries products
- Literary and performing arts projects by young artists
Documents required
Forms and templates are on the call page
How to apply
- 1Read the Guidelines for Applicants for Lot 3 on the UCF site
- 2Register in the UCF online system
- 3Choose the Cultural Horizons programme, Artistic Debuts call
- 4Submit by 18:00 Kyiv time on 5 October 2026
Questions and answers
- Was an international partner required for Artistic Debuts?
- Yes. The cultural product had to be created through international partnership with organisations registered in EU member states.
- Could a sole proprietor apply to Lot 3?
- Yes. Applicants could be legal entities of any ownership form or sole proprietors registered in Ukraine at least one year before the call.
Change history
- Updated: Added the 03.08 opening date, mandatory partnership with EU organisations, UAH 18 million budget, EUR amounts and implementation dates
Donor contacts
Email: info@ucf.in.ua
Website: ucf.in.ua
