During the 10 – 11 July conference, the Commission announced the “Team Europe for Cultural Heritage in Ukraine” approach and an additional €2 million under the Creative Europe programme. The funding will deepen cultural cooperation with Ukraine and strengthen European support to the Ukrainian cultural sector and Ukraine’s cultural heritage.

As part of this new approach, 22 EU countries will put in place over 60 initiatives starting in 2025. These aim to protect and preserve cultural heritage in Ukraine and improve skills for cultural heritage professionals. They will include targeted training, scholarships, and support for storing, showcasing, and preserving artefacts at-risk.

Nations are not just defined by borders or land. They are defined by their values, by their people, by their stories, and by their culture. As I’ve said many times, if you want to destroy a nation, you attack its culture. Our support to Ukraine’s cultural and creative sectors remains unwavering. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, the EU has committed over €50 million for that purpose. Yet threats persist, which is why we have launched ‘Team Europe for Cultural Heritage in Ukraine’ and boosted Creative Europe support for Ukraine. We will continue defending, promoting, and restoring Ukraine’s culture and cultural heritage. For Ukraine’s resilience and our shared European future.

– said Glenn Micallef Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, who took part in the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome.

€7 million in 2025 for the Creative Europe special call

The additional €2 million under Creative Europe will add to the €5 million already allocated to the 2025 Creative Europe special call, bringing the total support for Ukraine through this programme to €7 million in 2025. 

The call will finance on-the-ground actions, addressing the specific needs of Ukrainian culture, cultural heritage professionals, and artists. It will support heritage preservation and artistic performance both inside and outside Ukraine, facilitating access to culture as well.

Helping to establish the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund

On 25 June the Commission published a study to help Ukraine establish the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund. The study provides several examples of national cultural heritage funds which could serve as inspiration for Ukraine. 

Commissioner Micallef confirmed this continued support to Ukraine in line with the Uzhhorod Declaration, including the technical support to the set-up of the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund.