Ukraine Launches Cultural Initiatives Support Program 'Thousand Spring': Berezhna Reveals Details

In Ukraine, the implementation of a program supporting cultural initiatives known as 'Thousand Spring' is about to commence. This important initiative was initiated by the President of Ukraine, and its execution has been entrusted to the Ministry of Culture. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture Tetiana Berezhna shared this information at a briefing, as reported by a correspondent from Ukrinform.

"We are launching a program that is one of the largest state programs supporting cultural initiatives, 'Thousand Spring', which was initiated by the President of Ukraine and will be implemented by the Ministry of Culture. The goal of our program to support Ukrainian cultural products is to make Ukrainian stories noticeable, to ensure they resonate loudly, and to shape generations that think in Ukrainian meanings," Berezhna stated.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the primary aim of the program is to increase the volume of Ukrainian cultural content production, enhance its competitiveness in the market, ensure access to a wide audience, and strengthen the presence of Ukrainian content in the media landscape.

She also announced that the budget for 2026 allocates 4 billion hryvnias for the implementation of the program. Of this amount, 2.6 billion hryvnias will be directed towards film production, including feature films, animated films, series, and documentaries. Other types of content, such as contemporary music, performative arts, and visual arts, will receive 1 billion hryvnias, while audiovisual shows and social media content will be allocated approximately 300 million hryvnias.

The program encompasses seven main areas: feature films and series, non-fiction documentaries and series, animated films and series for children, contemporary music, performative arts, visual arts, as well as audiovisual shows and videos for social media.

Berezhna also noted that artists will not be restricted in their creative expressions; however, the program has identified priority themes, including Ukrainian history, security and defense forces, life during wartime, universal values, preservation and development of the Ukrainian language, socially significant professions, accessibility, prominent figures, folklore heritage, stolen art, natural heritage, and mental health.

Applications for participation in the 'Thousand Spring' program can be submitted by both legal entities and individual entrepreneurs, as well as other business entities, including businesses, organizations, and creative teams. The main requirement is to have an idea, a team, and a plan for implementation.

The Deputy Prime Minister added that the program is open to participation from both experienced artists and newcomers. A key requirement that experts will focus on is the quality of the projects. Additionally, debut projects will receive 100% funding, which is expected to encourage young artists to apply for the program.

Projects related to the creation of children's content, author films, and animation will also receive 100% funding. Most projects will be financed on a co-financing basis, calculated at 80% to 20%. Projects for the creation of feature and documentary series will be financed from the program's funds at 50%.

"Applications will be evaluated by individuals who have succeeded in creating cultural products, who have achieved recognition both in Ukraine and internationally – that is, those who know how to distinguish a successful, quality cultural product from a low-quality one," Berezhna emphasized.

She also stressed that experts evaluating projects will consider the presence of a professional team in the applicant's proposal, the realism of the project, its social significance, and international potential.

Berezhna further noted that citizens of the aggressor state or related structures, companies with beneficiaries from the Russian Federation, individuals and companies under sanctions, as well as those with convictions for corruption offenses, will not be allowed to participate in the program.

Participation will also be denied to those who submit incomplete or false documentation, individuals or companies with a negative business reputation (as verified by the bank), and those who are debtors to the Ukrainian Cultural Fund.

The program is set to launch on April 3, with applications accepted until May 28. The first stage of document verification will take place from May 20 to June 5, while experts will assess projects from June 10 to July 21. A public presentation of the projects is scheduled for August, and the funding for selected projects is expected to begin between September and December 2026.

Applications for participation in the program can be submitted on the official website of the Ministry of Culture at culture.gov.ua.

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