Permanent Competition of Creators from "It`s Craft" Fund

"It`s Craft" fund is implementing a permanent competition of creators to support micro-entrepreneurs, craftsmen and artisans. Under the terms of the competition, everyone can submit ideas for making a creative product (prototype). "It`s Craft" fund conducts a half-year competitive selection for the best product idea and finances the production of a product-good on grant terms (non-refundable). 

Participants in the program must be at least 18 years old and reside in Ukraine. The competition is aimed at beginners and those who want to create a new product but do not have sufficient resources and knowledge to do so.

The "It`s Craft" fund provides competitive funding for the creation of product samples (prototypes) or their individual parts.

• Based on the selection results, the committee identifies one to three winners who receive a non-refundable grant.
• The grant amount covers the expenses necessary to produce the prototype within the set budget.
• The financing mechanism is designed to support creators in transitioning toward production and entrepreneurial activity.
• Funding is provided for a prototype/minimal batch/product component up to 1500 UAH.

Most common reasons for denial of support

• The idea does not meet the competition’s conditions and priorities.
• The idea is already being implemented by the applicant.
• There is no clear concept of the product as a unique creative prototype the applicant intends to create — only a general description of existing or planned activity.
• Similar products are widespread and not sufficiently original, authentic, or artistic.
• The idea requires a significantly larger amount than the grant provided under this competition.

Co-financing

If the project budget exceeds the grant amount, the author may contribute their own co-financing. This approach is allowed but must be clearly justified and described in the application.

Ideas aimed at creating a unique artistic product, prototype, or its parts are supported. Projects covering a wide range of concepts — from non-functional decorative objects to practical and aesthetically refined items — are eligible for participation.

Priority is given to original concepts with the potential to grow into authentic craft products and align with an artistic and design-based approach, where appearance, aesthetics, and ergonomics are essential.

Applications for participation in the "It`s Craft" creators' competition are accepted on a continuous basis. Applications are reviewed twice a year: in January — proposals submitted by December 31 are evaluated, and in June — proposals submitted by May 31.

The announcement of competition results takes place within 20 days according to the competition wave (June–December; January–May) on the social media pages of the "It`s Craft" Fund: Instagram and Facebook.

• The application for participation in the competition consists of a visual image (a digital drawing, photo, or scheme) and a cover letter describing your idea. The text length should be up to 2 pages.
• The letter must describe the product concept, its relevance for the region or for Ukraine, and its potential economic value. It is also recommended to describe historical and ethnographic value if the product is inspired by Ukrainian folk art or history. Additionally, the cover letter must include the participant’s full name, contact details, and the date of application submission.
• Proposals are submitted through the Google Form at the link: https://forms.gle/kDmijRLwbQ4DyRNk6.
• One applicant may submit an unlimited number of proposals. Participation in multiple competition waves is also allowed.

• Amount: if the committee determines that the requested grant amount does not correspond to the needs of the application, such applications will not be recommended for funding.
• Relevance of the idea: in the descriptive note, please indicate your vision of the relevance of the product for the region or for Ukraine, as well as its potential cultural and economic value. The volume of the note is up to 2 pages.
• Authorship, creativity, innovation: the idea must be 100% original. If plagiarism is detected by the committee, the proposal will be excluded from the competition.
• Harmony: the harmony, beauty, and aesthetic value of the object as a product.
• Environmental friendliness: preference will be given if your product is made from ecological and natural materials.
• Modernization of traditions: products may (but are not required to) reflect the idea of Ukrainian identity, territorial or cultural belonging, or historical perspective. If the idea is based on traditional Ukrainian creativity, it is recommended to modernize it stylistically.

If the product idea is competitive and interesting for the Ukrainian market, the "It`s Craft" fund can provide consulting support in implementing a full-fledged production process and assistance in sales on the trading platform of the "It`s Craft" fund's social enterprise.

Photo and video documentation of results. After completing the work, the winner sends photo and/or video materials of the created product or its parts to the Fund’s email. The visual materials must correspond to the application and demonstrate the actual outcome: the finished prototype, the production process, or the key elements of the product.

Publication activity on social media. The winner publishes a post on their personal social media pages with:

• the hashtag: #itscraftfund
• and a tag of the official "It`s Craft" fund accounts in the corresponding social network.

The post must include a photo or video of the result and a short description of the prototype or creative idea.

A contract will be signed with the winner of the competition for the transfer of the charitable contribution from the It`s Craft" fund. The contract specifies the timeframe for producing the item and the responsibilities of both parties.

The intellectual property rights to the prototype remain with the author, who may later become a seller on the It`s Craft" fund platform.