Creative Economy Development Grants 2025-2026

Projects may be implemented in offline, online or hybrid formats. Examples of eligible activities include: 

• research to support your organisation’s work, including mapping of key stakeholders, audiences or local context; 
• testing a pilot service or product for your target audience; 
• promotion and marketing, strengthening the organisation’s digital presence; 
• strengthening the organisation’s safety, security and climate resilience (up to 20% of the grant value); 
• mobility within Ukraine to exchange experience with similar organisations (internships, mentoring, other formats); 
• international mobility for peer exchange (UK or EU) – internships in institutions or participation in sectoral events, with an additional day dedicated to more focused exchange with colleagues. 

The grant programme supports both internal and international mobility as part of a broader project. For example, a project may combine international mobility with testing a pilot service, or internal mobility with conducting research.

• costs related to project implementation between March and December 2026; 
• payments under service contracts with contractors for a fixed term; 
• fees for experts and speakers; 
• costs for translation and interpretation services; 
• marketing and promotion costs; 
• project monitoring and evaluation; 
• travel costs, including per diems and insurance; 
• accessibility-related costs to ensure inclusivity of the project or organisation’s space (up to £1,000 in addition to the overall project budget); 
• additional costs such as new online subscriptions, licences, software or rental for project needs (up to 15% of the budget); 
• technical equipment to ensure operations during power outages (e.g. generators); improvements to shelter conditions; safety equipment (e.g. first-aid kits, fire extinguishers); and solutions to strengthen climate resilience (up to 20% of the budget); 
• taxes and banking fees directly related to the project. 

• cultural organisations officially registered in Ukraine. Please note that individuals and individual entrepreneurs (FOPs) are not eligible; 
• the organisation’s core activities must fall under the definition of a creative hub or a professional association; 
• one organisation may submit several applications under the programme; 
• applications in partnership are possible, but the main partner will receive the grant and bear responsibility for reporting. 

In the previous grant round, we supported: the creation of a digital catalogue of sector players for those seeking contractors or employment; a market study of product design; partial restoration of a creative hub’s infrastructure damaged by a missile strike; the launch of a bilingual hub website; a salary survey, list of pitching forums and legal advice for the animation sector, among other initiatives. You may find inspiration in the examples of past grantees.

We invite project proposals that reflect the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion, and that also integrate climate resilience into project design. This will be one of the criteria for assessment. 

You may include additional costs of up to £1,000 in your project budget to ensure accessibility of the project or organisational space. Accessibility costs may include measures to remove barriers for people with hearing impairments, people with disabilities, and neurodivergent artists or audiences. This may involve, for example, sign language interpretation, subtitling, or personal assistants for artists/producers with disabilities. 

Applicants must demonstrate an appropriate approach to risk management in implementing the project and organising events. For offline events, safety measures and the choice of a venue with access to shelter must be part of planning. Please note that applicants bear responsibility for ensuring an adequate level of safety for project participants and other stakeholders. 

As the security situation in Ukraine may change, applicants must be prepared to adapt project activities and travel arrangements, including cancelling, postponing or changing planned formats. We will assess whether appropriate safety and risk mitigation measures have been taken. 

Between 19 and 30 January 2026, we plan to organise a two-day workshop for grant recipients. Two representatives from each grantee organisation will be invited. The workshop will help participants prepare for project implementation. 

• Deadline for applications: 22 October 2025, 23:59 (Kyiv time) 
• Notification of results: early December 2025 
• Due diligence checks: December 2025 – January 2026 
• Start of contracting: December 2025 – January 2026 
• Workshop for grantees (Kosiv, Ivano-Frankivsk region): between 19 and 30 January 2026 
• Submission of project and communications plans: by the end of February 2026 
• Project implementation period: 1 March – 31 December 2026 
• Final reporting: within two months after project completion, but no later than 1 February 2027 

• Organisations that received support in the first round of the Creative Economy Development Grants are not eligible to apply again. 
• One organisation may submit several projects, but only one can be funded under this programme. 
• Grantees are responsible for paying any taxes and bank charges related to the grant. These costs must be included in the budget at the application stage. 
• Grants will be paid in Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH) at the British Council exchange rate to GBP, after due diligence checks and signing of the grant contract. 
• Payments will be made within 30 days after the contract is signed by both parties. 
• Applicants may only start contractual relationships with suppliers and project activities after receiving the grant payment. 
• All financial documentation (receipts, invoices, payment confirmations, contracts, etc.) must be submitted electronically as part of the reporting. This is required under the UK National Audit Office regulations. 
• Grantees will be required to complete mandatory British Council training on safeguarding, safety and security, and on equality, diversity and inclusion. 

Applications must be submitted in Ukrainian. Grantees will be required to sign a bilingual contract with the British Council. 

Please note that narrative and financial reporting must be submitted in English. Applicants may include costs in the project budget to cover administration and/or translation support. 

To apply, please register on the grant platform at https://britishcouncilarts.grantplatform.com, select the call Creative Economy Development Grants Ukraine, and complete the online application form.

The form requires the following supporting documents: 

• project budget (using our template); 
• extract from the Unified State Register (EDR) confirming your organisation’s registration.