Ministry of Culture Launches 'Thousand Spring' Program for Ukrainian Content Creation

Recently, the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine announced the commencement of the application process for a new initiative focused on the creation of Ukrainian cultural products, previously known as '1000 Hours of Ukrainian Content'. This program is now referred to as 'Thousand Spring'. It was initiated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with the goal of supporting artists and creators while enriching the information landscape with Ukrainian narratives.

According to the Ministry's announcement, 'Thousand Spring' is a state initiative that finances the creation of Ukrainian cultural products through an open competition. The primary objectives of the program include enhancing the cultural resilience of society, providing an alternative to Russian content, and supporting Ukrainian culture during wartime. The initiative also aims to develop a Ukrainian information environment conducive to youth development.

The Ministry outlined five key tasks for the program. Firstly, it aims to saturate the cultural and informational landscape in Ukraine and abroad with stories told by Ukrainians or about Ukraine. Secondly, it seeks to create competitive Ukrainian cultural products for various age groups. The third task focuses on protecting Ukrainians from hostile information influences by fostering a Ukrainian cultural environment that unites and strengthens society. The fourth task is to establish an environment where Ukrainian youth can grow within the Ukrainian cultural space, shaping their values and sense of belonging to Ukraine. Finally, the fifth task is to support the cultural and creative sector, which includes economic incentives in the market, job creation, and the potential to develop commercially viable products.

Legal entities, regardless of their organizational and legal form, such as creative unions, public organizations, and budget institutions, as well as individual entrepreneurs and other business entities registered in Ukraine, can participate in the initiative.

The themes for cultural products created under the program cover a wide range of issues, including Ukrainian history, the security and defense forces of Ukraine, life during wartime, universal human values, the preservation and development of the Ukrainian language, prominent figures, folklore heritage, socially important professions, accessibility, mental health, and natural heritage.

Regarding funding, projects that win the competition will receive full state coverage (up to 100%) for authorial and animated productions, debuts, and content for children. Partial funding (up to 80%) will apply to other types of cultural products, provided that the producer secures at least 20% of their own or attracted funds. Equal co-financing of 50/50 will be implemented for both scripted and non-scripted series.

Support will be provided for projects in seven areas: scripted films and series, non-scripted (documentary) films and series, animated films and series, films and series for children, contemporary music, performing arts, visual arts, as well as audiovisual shows and videos for social media.

The application period for the competition will run from April 3 to May 28. Competitive commissions will be established for organizing and conducting competitions across the seven areas. The Ministry of Culture will be responsible for selecting audiovisual shows and videos for social media, while the State Film Agency will oversee the selection of audiovisual projects, including scripted and non-scripted films, as well as projects for children and animation.

The competition will proceed in three stages: the first stage involves verifying submitted documents and materials for compliance with requirements; the second stage consists of expert evaluations of the projects; and the third stage entails public presentations of the projects, expert reviews, and evaluations by the commissions. Foreign specialists may be involved in the third stage with advisory voting rights.

Experts will assess projects based on several criteria, including the quality and clarity of the presentation, the realism and readiness of the team to implement the project, the justification of the budget, and international potential. The estimated funding for the areas includes 1.9 billion UAH for scripted films and series, 240 million UAH for non-scripted films and series, 490 million UAH for animated films, 300 million UAH for contemporary music, 400 million UAH for performing arts, 300 million UAH for visual arts, and 260 million UAH for audiovisual shows and videos.

Contracts with winners will stipulate an advance payment of 80% to 90% of the state funding share, which will be paid by the end of the year following the signing of the contract. After receiving the funds, it is necessary to confirm that work is ongoing by submitting a report on partially completed work and an interim report on fund usage. If these conditions are not met in a timely manner, the advance payment must be returned. Additionally, there is a requirement to report on completed work quarterly. The final settlement will occur based on documents confirming the completed works or services.

The Ministry also noted the estimated timelines for producing cultural products, emphasizing projects with a short production cycle not exceeding three months.