Grants for the Development of the Creative Economy 2026-2027 (Ukraine)

The British Council in Ukraine is accepting applications for the Creative Economy Development Grants 2026–2027, offering grants of up to £10,000 to support creative hubs, professional associations and sector-based networks, with approximately five projects expected to receive funding. Opportunity at a Glance

- Organiser: British Council Ukraine

- Opportunity: Creative Economy Development Grants 2026–2027

- Type of support: Organisational development grants for the creative industries

- Grant amount: Up to £10,000

- Expected number of funded projects: Approximately five

- Project format: In-person, online or hybrid

- Application deadline: 1 October 2026 at 23:59 Kyiv time

- Implementation period: 1 February–31 December 2027

- Project language: Not specified

- Contact: [contact details removed]

About the Opportunity

- The Creative Economy Development Grants support organisations contributing to Ukraine’s creative economy. - The program will help participating organisations better understand the needs of their communities, sectors or regions and develop practical responses to those needs. - Funded projects should produce a clear and realistic idea that can be tested in practice and potentially benefit the wider creative economy ecosystem. - Projects may be delivered in person, online or through a combination of both formats. Funding and Benefits - Successful organisations may receive grants of up to £10,000 for organisational development. Approximately five projects are expected to receive support through the 2026–2027 funding round. - Applicants may request up to an additional £1,000 for accessibility measures that remove barriers to participation. These measures could include sign-language interpretation, captioning or personal assistance. - Expenses relating to new online subscriptions, licences, software or project-specific rental arrangements may represent up to 15% of the total budget. - Applicants may allocate up to 20% of the budget to measures that strengthen safety, security and climate resilience. - Salaries and bonuses for permanent employees are not eligible and must not be included in the proposed budget. - Grants will be paid in Ukrainian hryvnia using the British Council’s exchange rate against the pound sterling. Payment will be made after successful due diligence and the signing of a grant agreement. - The British Council expects to issue payments within 30 days after both parties sign the agreement. - Applicants may enter into contracts with suppliers and begin funded project activities only after receiving the grant payment. Who Can Apply? - Applications are open to cultural organisations officially registered in Ukraine. - The organisation’s primary activities must correspond to the definition of either a creative hub or a professional sector-based association or network. - Individuals and individual entrepreneurs are not eligible to receive funding. Eligible Creative Hubs - A creative hub should provide space and support for interaction, business development and collaboration among creators, companies and communities working within the cultural and creative industries. - It should generate cultural and creative value for its local environment and the broader creative economy ecosystem. - A creative hub may operate as an in-person organisation, a digital platform or a combination of both. Eligible Professional Associations and Networks - Professional associations and networks should unite artists, specialists and companies working within a particular creative sector. - Relevant sectors may include design, film, music, advertising, architecture and publishing. - Eligible organisations may represent and protect the interests of their sector, support professional development, establish standards, offer educational opportunities or provide legal assistance. They may also strengthen cooperation, promote the sector and attract funding and partnerships that contribute to its development. Additional Eligibility Conditions - An organisation may submit more than one application under the funding round. However, only one project from each organisation may receive funding. - Joint applications and partnership-based projects are permitted. One organisation must act as the lead partner and will be responsible for receiving, managing and reporting on the grant. - Applicants should ensure that their proposed activities, costs and implementation arrangements comply with all British Council requirements. Eligible Activities and Priority Areas - Projects may be implemented through in-person, online or hybrid activities. - Eligible activities may include conducting sector research that will inform the organisation’s future work. - Organisations may map important stakeholders, audiences, creative businesses or elements of their local operating context. - Funding may support the design and testing of a pilot service or product for a defined target audience. - Projects may include promotional and marketing activities or measures to strengthen the organisation’s digital presence. - Applicants may include safety, security and climate-resilience improvements, provided that these expenses do not exceed 20% of the grant. - Domestic mobility within Ukraine may be supported when it enables knowledge exchange with similar organisations through placements, mentoring or other professional formats. - International mobility to the United Kingdom or European Union may also be included. Activities could involve placements within relevant institutions or participation in professional events, accompanied by an additional day dedicated to focused knowledge exchange. - Domestic or international mobility should form part of a broader organisational development project. For example, international mobility could be combined with testing a new service, while domestic mobility could accompany sector research. Eligible Costs - Eligible expenditure must relate directly to project activities implemented between Februar