The 'Thousand Springs' Competition
Ukraine's Ministry of Culture, led by Minister Tetiana Berezhna, has announced a major new funding initiative called the 'Thousand Springs' competition. With a total budget of 4 billion hryvnias (approximately $100 million USD), the program aims to finance Ukrainian cultural projects. Applications will be accepted from April 3 to May 28, with project selection occurring in three distinct stages. This substantial investment comes at a critical time for the nation's cultural sector, which seeks to assert its voice and identity. Both legal entities and private individuals are eligible to participate as applicants.
A panel of experts, including notable figures such as Mstyslav Chernov, Volodymyr Zavodiuk, Volodymyr Yatsenko, Yuliia Tymoshenko (The Ukrainer), and Olena Koliadenko, will evaluate submissions. The full list of experts will be made public. As of now, no applications have been submitted.
Funding Conditions
The funding structure offers full state coverage (up to 100%) for auteur and animated productions, debut works, and content for children. Partial funding (up to 80%) is available for other product types. A 50/50 co-financing model is stipulated for scripted and non-scripted series that are not classified as auteur or animated works.
Tetiana Berezhna emphasized that one of the competition's goals is to showcase new faces and talents, stating, 'We will pay the most attention to quality. 100% is designated specifically for debutants. But the conditions are equal for everyone.'
Eligible projects must focus on themes including:
- Ukrainian history
- Ukraine's security and defense forces
- Life during wartime
- Universal human values
- Preservation and development of the Ukrainian language
- Prominent historical figures
- Folklore heritage
- Stolen art
- Socially important professions
- Conscientious citizens
- The future of Ukraine
- Accessibility
- Mental health
- Natural heritage
The 'Thousand Springs' initiative is also a direct response to findings from a Gradus Research study, which revealed that 71% of Ukrainians still consume Russian-language content. The Ministry of Culture conducted an analysis of the cartoon 'Masha and the Bear,' which garnered 800 million views among Ukrainian children, concluding the product has Russian ties.
The selection of cultural products will proceed in three phases:
- First stage – May 29 to June 5, dedicated to document verification;
- Second stage – June 10 to July 21, involving expert evaluation;
- Third stage – August, featuring a public presentation pitch session.
The competition is designed to support projects across a wide range of disciplines, such as:
- Scripted films and series
- Non-scripted (documentary) films and series
- Animated films and series
- Films and series for children's audiences
- Contemporary music
- Performance art
- Visual art
- Audiovisual shows and social media video content
The 'Thousand Springs' competition represents a significant step in developing Ukraine's cultural sphere amidst ongoing national challenges. By supporting debutants and new talents, it aims not only to preserve Ukrainian identity but also to create new cultural products capable of competing internationally. Furthermore, this initiative may help reduce the influence of Russian-language content, which is vital for shaping national consciousness and bolstering the Ukrainian language.