National Initiative 'Thousand Springs'
Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture has pushed back the application deadline for the national initiative 'Thousand Springs' to June 4. The program allocates 4 billion hryvnias in state funding to boost homegrown cultural production. Its core goal is to offer a compelling alternative to Russian media, given that 71% of Ukrainians still engage with Russian-language content—nearly a quarter of them on a daily basis. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy originally proposed the initiative.
Selection Stages and Participation Opportunities
With the extended submission window, the timeline for subsequent phases has also shifted: technical review will run from June 5 to June 12, expert evaluation from June 17 to July 28, and the final pitching event from August 12 to August 16. These dates remain firm.
Eligible participants include legal entities registered in Ukraine, such as:
- creative unions
- non-governmental organizations
- state-funded institutions
- individual entrepreneurs
- other business entities
Funding will support projects across seven categories:
- feature films and series
- documentary films and series
- animated films and series
- children’s films and series
- contemporary music
- performing arts
- visual arts
- audiovisual shows and social media videos
Each category will be assessed by five experts selected through a lottery system.
Approved themes for cultural production include:
- Ukrainian history
- Ukraine’s security and defense forces
- life during wartime
- universal human values
- preservation and development of the Ukrainian language
- prominent figures
- folk heritage
- stolen art
- socially vital professions
- engaged citizens
- Ukraine’s future
- accessibility
- mental health
- natural heritage
“The government does not dictate to creators what to produce, but it does expect them to take the wartime context into account.” — Ukraine’s Minister of Culture
Thus, 'Thousand Springs' aims not only to bolster Ukrainian culture but also to help forge a new cultural identity amid current challenges.
The extension of the application period underscores the government’s active push to develop Ukraine’s cultural sector, especially during wartime. By channeling substantial funds and prioritizing Ukrainian content, the initiative seeks to counter the influence of Russian media and strengthen national identity. It also highlights the role of cultural projects in shaping public consciousness and preserving the country’s heritage.
As Ukraine continues to strengthen its cultural identity, initiatives like the 'Thousand Springs' program play a crucial role. In a related effort to promote national pride, youth centers across the country will showcase posters celebrating Cossack bravery. This not only highlights historical valor but also encourages the younger generation to connect with Ukraine's rich heritage.