UK→Ukraine: Culture Sync

A legally registered non-profit organisation in Ukraine working in the field of culture, the arts or education (with a cultural focus), with a proven track record of delivering cultural projects.

Previous experience of implementing international cultural projects will be considered an advantage.

Costs related to project delivery between April 2026 and January 2027, including:

• fees for contractors hired for a fixed term to deliver the project (excluding salaried staff);
• fees for experts and speakers;
• production or manufacturing costs;
• purchase of rights and licence fees;
• written and simultaneous interpretation services;
• marketing and promotional costs;
• activities aimed at audience engagement and community participation;
• project monitoring and evaluation;
• travel costs, including insurance;
• additional organisational costs such as new online subscriptions, software or additional venue hire – up to 15%.

The grant may also cover:

• technical equipment required to ensure programme delivery during power shortages, such as generators – up to 25%;
• improvements to shelter conditions – up to 25%;
• safety equipment (first-aid kits, fire extinguishers) – up to 15%.

Purchase of office equipment (such as laptops, printers and similar items) cannot be covered by the grant.

You may apply for additional costs of up to £1,000 to ensure accessibility. Accessibility-related costs refer to removing barriers for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, people with disabilities, and artists or audiences who are neurodivergent. These may include, for example, sign language interpretation, subtitling, or personal assistants for artists or producers with disabilities.

Applicants must provide evidence of appropriate risk management for all project activities and events. Safety measures and the choice of venue — including access to a shelter — must form part of the planning for any public programme.

If your project involves in-person participation by individuals travelling from outside Ukraine, you must follow the FCDO (UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) travel advice. Travel is only permitted to regions classified as amber. Travel to red regions is not eligible under this grant. Only essential and well-justified travel will be considered.

As the security situation in Ukraine may change, applicants must be prepared to adapt project activities and travel arrangements — including cancelling, postponing or modifying planned formats. The British Council team will assess whether appropriate safety and safeguarding measures are in place.

• Application deadline: 3 December 2025
• Notification of results: March 2026
• Due diligence checks: February–March 2026
• Contracting period: February–March 2026
• Project implementation: April 2026–January 2027
• Submission of activity and communications plans: by April 2026
• Submission of final reports: by February 2027

Grants will be paid in Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH) at the British Council exchange rate to the pound sterling, following the due diligence process and the signing of the grant agreement.

Payments will be made within 30 days of the grant agreement being signed by both parties.

Project delivery and the start of contractual relationships with contractors may only begin after the first instalment of the grant has been received.

The grant will be paid in two instalments:

• 80% upon signing the grant agreement;
• the remaining 20% after the project is completed and reporting has been reviewed.

All documents confirming financial expenditure (receipts, invoices, proof of payment, contracts, etc.) must be properly issued and securely stored. The grant recipient must provide these documents to the British Council upon request by the UK National Audit Office or other auditors.

The grant recipient is responsible for paying any taxes and bank fees associated with receiving the grant. These costs must be included in the proposed budget at the application stage.

• Priority will be given to organisations that have not previously received funding from the British Council under the programme “Support for cultural activity in Ukraine with UK involvement”.
• If an organisation submits more than one project, only one application may be funded under this grant programme.
• Grant recipients will be required to complete mandatory British Council training on safeguarding, safety, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• If the security situation deteriorates, the British Council may withdraw approval for the use of grant funds for travel.

To apply, please register on the grant platform: https://britishcouncilarts.grantplatform.com, select the “UK→Ukraine: Culture Sync” call and complete the online application form in Ukrainian.

You will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:

• project budget using our template;
• an extract from the Unified State Register (EDR) for your organisation.

Any questions related to this grant call should be sent by email to uaukgrants@britishcouncil.org. Please include “UK→Ukraine: Culture Sync” in the subject line of your message.