On 20 October 2022, the European Parliament endorsed a resolution calling on the EU Institutions to support Ukraine’s cultural, creative and heritage sectors. The Parliament also too steps to set up a joint emergency response mechanism specifically addressed to culture in crisis situations. The emergency response mechanism builds on a call made by Culture Action Europe, the European Cultural Foundation and Europa Nostra, as part of the #CulturalDealEU initiated by the three organisations.
The text condemns damages to Ukrainian heritage, and asks to include the emergency needs of the cultural, creative and heritage sectors in the EU’s humanitarian support to Ukraine. Additionally, Members of Parliament called on the Member States to include culture in the planned Ukraine Trust Fund for rebuilding the war-torn country.
On 19 October, the European Parliament awarded the the people of Ukraine the Sakharov Prize 2022 for Freedom of Thought, represented by their President, elected leaders and civil society. The Sakharov Prize was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.
As a further sign of the EU’s support towards the Ukrainian cultural, creative and heritage sectors are the key beneficiaries of a 5 million euros special call for cooperation projects under the Creative Europe programme, which will support partnerships composed of at least one Ukrainian organisation and at least one organisation based in another Creative Europe country. Three projects will be selected for financing. The call is open until 29 November. A maximum of 2 million euros will be given each to projects:
- Supporting Ukrainian artists and cultural organisations to create and showcase their art and work, and to projects
- Helping Ukrainians displaced by the war through culture.
- The remaining 1 million euros will be available for medium-term objectives such as the post-war recovery of the Ukrainian cultural sectors and the training of Ukrainian cultural heritage professionals.
