Culture Helps Solidarity, second call: collaboration grants of up to €30,000 for Ukrainian and European cultural organisations

The European Cultural Foundation has announced the second and final Culture Helps Solidarity call for collaboration grants. The programme provides financial support for international partnerships that leverage arts and culture to facilitate the integration of displaced Ukrainians into host communities.

Grant funding ranges from up to €20,000 for bilateral partnerships to up to €30,000 for consortia of three or more participating organisations. The initiative expects to support at least 15 cross-border collaborative projects.

Eligible partnerships must submit their joint applications by 10 November 2026 at 13:00 Amsterdam time (14:00 Kyiv time). Selected initiatives must focus on intercultural dialogue, professional exchange, and sustainable solidarity.

What is funded

The grant supports collaborative international projects that employ cultural and artistic practices to aid the integration of displaced persons from Ukraine into host communities. The call highlights initiatives that focus on mental well-being, vulnerable demographic groups, and veterans.

Funded initiatives must aim to cultivate intercultural dialogue, enable professional exchange between practitioners, and establish long-term networks of solidarity across borders. At least 15 international cultural projects will be selected under this final call.

Who can apply

The call is aimed at non-governmental organisations and cultural entities forming cross-border partnerships. Every partnership must include at least one Ukrainian-led organisation, operating either within Ukraine or in exile, alongside at least one partner based in a Creative Europe country.

Consortia may consist of two organisations, or expand to three or more partners to access higher funding tiers. The programme specifically requires genuine cooperative setups rather than unilateral project execution.

Conditions and requirements

The funding scheme operates on a tiered structure depending on the size of the partnership. Bilateral partnerships involving two organisations can receive grants of up to €20,000, whereas partnerships involving three or more partners can access up to €30,000.

Practical tip. Ensure your partnership structure is verified early and that the cross-border roles are explicitly balanced between Ukrainian entities and Creative Europe partners, as funding eligibility strictly depends on consortium size and composition.

All joint project proposals must demonstrate a clear contribution to host community integration and direct support for affected communities. Subsequent thematic project grants and individual care grants under Culture Helps Solidarity will continue into 2027.

How to apply

Applicants must submit a joint collaborative proposal before the final deadline of 10 November 2026, strictly at 13:00 Amsterdam time (14:00 Kyiv time). Proposals submitted past this cut-off will not be considered.

To assist organisations seeking cross-border counterparts, an online matchmaking event and dedicated Q&A session is scheduled for 15 September at 14:00 Amsterdam time (15:00 Kyiv time). Additional procedural details and submission guidelines are available through the foundation’s official application portal.

Applications are submitted on the donor’s page: culturalfoundation.eu.