From April 3 to June 4, the Ministry of Culture accepted applications for "Tisyachoveсna" — the first full-scale state program to support Ukrainian cultural products, approved by Cabinet Resolution No. 404. Over two months, 1,151 applications were received across seven directions totaling 10.8 billion hryvnias. The problem: the program's 2026 budget is 4 billion hryvnias, but in reality, a maximum of 80% of this amount is allocated, which equals 3.2 billion hryvnias. Demand exceeded supply threefold even before the first selection.
What and How Much
The program covers seven directions: fiction and documentary film, animation, music, performing and visual arts, and content for social media. According to President Zelenskyy, "billions of hryvnias will be guaranteed annually for the creation of cultural products" — with the prospect of allocating funding in the 2027 budget.
But basic arithmetic is concerning. As calculated by ZN.ua, the state will allocate approximately 76 thousand dollars per hour of content in 2026 — less than a single episode of "Servant of the People" costs. For comparison: the minimum standard for a quality series at Netflix level is from 200 thousand dollars per episode. Meanwhile, the most urgent front — social media content, whose algorithms, according to Minister Berezhna, "push users toward Russian content even when they don't plan it themselves" — receives only 260 million hryvnias, less than 7% of the program's budget.
"We took into account industry proposals and updated the initiative's conditions. In recent months, we have communicated extensively with the cultural community"
Tetiana Berezhna, Vice Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy, Minister of Culture
Rights Dispute
One of the most acute issues concerns who will own the created product. Initially, the Ministry of Culture announced that all property rights would remain with the state (State Cinema and the "Information Space Protection Center"), and winners would receive only a license for a minimum of two years. After public pressure from the cultural community, Berezhna announced a review of the terms: rights should remain with creators. Which version is enshrined in the final contracts will become clear after results are announced on June 12.
Who Was Left Out
Seven directions seem broad — until you notice the gaps. Publishers Oleksandr Krasovytsky ("Folio") and Viktor Kruhlov ("Ranok") have already publicly criticized the lack of support for the book industry, particularly audiobooks. The program is tailored for large content producers, and small independent creators are effectively screened out by infrastructure requirements for participants.
Researchers also point to a systemic risk: "Tisyachoveсna" concentrates resources within the government hierarchy — the Ministry of Culture sets criteria, State Cinema and a state enterprise administer rights, the Cabinet approves winners. No independent audit of fund distribution in a public format is provided.
Precedent and Stakes
"Tisyachoveсna" is not the first trial balloon. The program grew out of the "1000 Hours of Ukrainian Content" initiative, which never gained full momentum. The brand change was accompanied by changes in conditions — under industry pressure. This signals that the mechanism is flexible but unpredictable: rules changed even after the competition was announced.
If on June 12 the Ministry of Culture publicizes not only the list of selected projects but also the composition of the commission and detailed evaluation criteria, "Tisyachoveсna" will have a chance to become a precedent for transparent state-funded culture. If not — it will remain the country's largest producer without public accountability.
