Creative Economy Grants

The "Creative Economy Grants" program is organized by the British Council. This initiative is designed to support organizations working directly with representatives of the cultural and creative industries sector in Ukraine. The program is aimed at institutions that inherently operate as creative hubs, professional associations, or unions. Funding is provided for projects that will contribute to the further development and strengthening of the organizations themselves, while also making a tangible impact on the local and broader creative economy ecosystem in Ukraine.

The selection of winners takes place in two stages: after passing a technical check, applications are evaluated by independent experts. A crucial condition for success is the applicant's practical experience working in the current Ukrainian context and a clear understanding of the challenges facing the creative economy ecosystem. Organizers expect to see an efficient implementation model, a realistic budget distribution, a detailed communication strategy, and proven expertise from the project team.

A special emphasis within the competition is placed on risk management and security. Given the current situation, applicants must develop robust measures to minimize risks and establish clear security protocols for any public activities in their region. Furthermore, the organizers place serious importance on ensuring that projects adhere to the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusivity, while also integrating environmental sustainability planning.

• The organization works with representatives of the cultural and creative industries sector.
• The development of cultural and creative industries in Ukraine is a strategic focus of the organization's activities.
• The organization is inherently a creative hub or a professional association/union and has implemented projects in this capacity.
• The organization has practical experience working in the current Ukrainian context and demonstrates an understanding of the creative economy ecosystem in Ukraine.
• The applicant has the status of an officially registered legal entity in Ukraine (confirmed by an extract or statement from the EDRPOU).

The project budget is completed exclusively in British Pounds (£), but the grant itself will be paid in Hryvnias according to the British Council's internal exchange rate on the date of signing the contract. Co-financing is not mandatory, however, the budget form includes a separate section for additional financial or non-financial (in-kind) contributions from other organizations or individuals.

Eligible Expenses:

• Expenses for direct project implementation: research, mapping, translation, monitoring and evaluation, etc.
• Administrative expenses and professional team fees.
• Travel, insurance, and meals (per diems have strict limits: for Ukraine — breakfast in the hotel or £5, lunch £6, dinner £7; for the EU — breakfast or £5, lunch £16, dinner £33; for the UK — breakfast or £5, lunch £8, dinner £30).
• Marketing, communications, and dissemination of project results.
• Taxes and bank charges.
• Additional expenses (new online subscriptions, licenses, software, rent) — no more than 15% of the total budget.
• Security and technical equipment (generators, shelter improvements, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, as well as solutions for climate resilience) — no more than 20% of the budget.
• Special expenses to ensure project inclusivity and accessibility (up to £1,000).

• Projects that contribute to the further development and strengthening of the organization as a creative hub or professional association/union.
• Initiatives that have a tangible impact on the local and broader creative economy ecosystem of Ukraine.
• Conducting research, mapping, monitoring, and evaluating the creative industries sector.
• Implementing public events, provided there are clearly planned security measures and risk management protocols in accordance with the regional situation.
• Marketing, communication campaigns, and activities for disseminating organizational results.
• Activities aimed at implementing the principles of equality, diversity, inclusion, and environmental sustainability during project execution.

• By October 1, 2026: Deadline for submitting the complete document package.
• Stage 1: Technical Selection: The British Council team checks the application for timely submission, focus on the cultural and creative industries sector, presence of the EDRPOU extract, and the correct budget template.
• Stage 2: Expert Evaluation: Independent experts assess the applications that passed the technical selection against qualitative criteria.
• February 1 – December 31, 2027: Project implementation period (all activities must occur strictly within these dates).
• Upon completion (approximately early 2028): Submission of the final narrative and financial reports in English.

1. Complete the project budget in GBP exclusively using the official British Council template, adhering to the established limits for relevant expenditure categories.
2. Prepare an up-to-date extract or statement from the EDRPOU (no other supporting documents will be accepted for review).
3. Fill out the electronic application form, ensuring adequate focus on the communication strategy, expected project impact, and the integration of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles, as well as environmental sustainability.
4. Upload the completed budget template and EDRPOU extract to the online form and submit the application by October 1, 2026.

• Organization profile and its experience (20%): The organization must inherently be a creative hub or a professional association, have implemented projects, possess practical work experience in Ukraine, and understand the current creative economy ecosystem. The development of creative industries must be the applicant's strategic focus.
• Expected project impact (20%): The project should strengthen the organization itself as a hub or association, and have a positive impact on the local and national creative ecosystem.
• Effective implementation model, value for money (20%): Evaluates the efficiency of the model, the team's expertise, and how realistic the proposed schedule and budget are.
• Communications and promotion (15%): Requires a clear communication strategy and a deep understanding of the project's key audiences and beneficiaries.
• Risk management (15%): The presence of clearly defined risks and mitigation strategies, including security measures (considering the regional situation) for hosting any public events.
• Equality, diversity, inclusion (EDI) and environmental sustainability (10%): The application must provide evidence that the project adheres to the principles of inclusion and is planned with environmental sustainability in mind.

• Official online application, completed on the British Council portal.
• Completed project budget (exclusively in the official British Council Excel template).
• An up-to-date extract or statement from the EDRPOU.

Please note: no other supporting documents (letters of support, additional presentations, etc.) will be considered for review.

• The narrative and financial reporting on the project results must be prepared and submitted in English. (Please note: the British Council allows budgeting for the services of a translator or administrator for these purposes).
• All expenses must be made in strict accordance with the approved budget, completed in the official British Council template (in GBP, with payment in UAH at the internal exchange rate).
• The organization is obliged to adhere to the established percentage and overall limits for certain expenditure categories (e.g., no more than 15% for subscriptions/licenses, no more than 20% for security/technical equipment, no more than £1,000 for ensuring accessibility).
• The grant recipient assumes the obligation to implement the planned risk mitigation and management measures, as well as to adhere to safety protocols during public events (according to the security situation in the region).
• The project must practically demonstrate the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) stated in the application form and take environmental sustainability into account during execution.

• The applicant must be an officially registered legal entity in Ukraine.
• The organization is strictly obliged to adhere to the specified timeframe, with the implementation of all activities taking place from February 1 to December 31, 2027.
• The British Council team reserves the right to a two-stage evaluation: an initial technical compliance check followed by a qualitative assessment by independent experts.
• The grant recipient assumes legal responsibility for adhering to the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), as well as environmental sustainability during the actual execution of the project.
• The budget is calculated in GBP; however, the grant is disbursed in UAH according to the British Council's internal exchange rate on the date of contracting.