We at KCMD believe that culture is an important driver of change. We share this conviction with many cultural actors in Ukraine, who have repeatedly proven that cultural initiatives can indeed be a powerful transformative force in society. For more than ten years, we have been a part of these changes in the field of new music. Our experience has shown: No art form exists in a vacuum. Music, theater, dance, and other performing arts interact and reinforce one another. Each discipline has the potential to broaden the horizons of the other—to open up new formats, languages, and ways of thinking.

The first edition of Per Forma in 2024–2025 demonstrated how a single impulse can trigger systemic change. The 85 projects implemented became not only standalone artistic events, but also contributed to the development of a more vibrant and forward-looking Ukrainian scene. The program became a space for dialogue, reflection, rethinking cultural heritage, and searching for new identities. Learn more about 2024-2025 Per Forma winners here.

With the support of the Performing Arts Fund NL and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands, we are launching a new edition of the program to consolidate what has been achieved and create conditions for new ideas, collaborations, and forms to emerge, strengthening both individual disciplines and the connections between them. 

The program provides grants for implementing projects and professional development of actors and collectives in the performing arts in Ukraine.

The following types of activities may be financed within the framework of the program:

• Project implementation and accompanying expenses, namely: organization of a stage production, concert, festival, play, performance, educational event, etc.

• Creation of new musical, theatrical, dance, performance work, new educational and curatorial programs, exhibitions, choreographic productions, conducting research, etc. 

• Professional needs, namely: purchasing materials and technical equipment; renting rehearsal spaces and studios; paying for labor, for example, to write music for an event or hire stage or costume designers; purchasing props needed to implement a project, etc. 

You can apply for one of two types of support:

1. Small projects: the amount of support is up to 1,000 EUR* in the Ukrainian hryvnia equivalent (the exact amount is determined based on the estimate submitted by the applicant):

Features:

• Both individuals and legal entities can apply;

• More suitable for applicants with less experience in project implementation;

• Reporting is simpler compared to large projects;

• The submitted project does not necessarily need to have public results.

2. Large projects: the amount of support is from 1,000 to 8,000 EUR* in the Ukrainian hryvnia equivalent (the exact amount is determined based on the estimate submitted by the applicant):

Features:

• Only legal entities may apply;

• The submitted project must include a public presentation (e.g., a concert with commissioned works, a theatrical performance, etc.);

• Applicant organizations must have an accountant on the project team;

• For projects with a budget of more than €2,000, the grant will be paid in two installments: 80% in advance and 20% upon completion of the project.

* — Amounts are inclusive of taxes.

The total prize fund for the program is €202,000.

Ukrainian actors and collectives working in the following fields:

• music;

• dance;

• theater, including improv and puppet theater;

• spoken word;

• performance art;

• circus art;

• pantomime;

• stand-up comedy;

• other performing arts.

You can apply individually to support your personal project or submit a group application to implement a collective project. Contracts will be signed with natural persons,* private, state organizations, or NGOs, depending on the needs and capabilities of the applicants.

Please note that the applicant’s legal status will affect the amount of taxation of the grant payment under Ukrainian legislation. In the application form, you will find a tax calculation template helping you better understand how much of the grant you can expect to receive after taxes, according to your legal status.

* — Individuals may only apply for small projects.

Projects must be implemented in Ukraine.

Program winners must implement their projects between 1 June and 16 October 2026, and report on their implementation. Narrative and financial reports from grant recipients must be submitted no later than three weeks after the project's completion, but all must be submitted by 30 October 2026.

All funds from the received grant must be used for the planned activities specified in the application. Applicants can also finance their projects from other sources and scale them accordingly.

To apply for Per Forma, you must complete the online application and submit all required documents by 3 April 2026, at 14:00 Kyiv time. 

We recommend doing so as soon as possible, as there is a limit of 500 accepted applications. Once this number is reached, we will stop accepting applications and announce it on this page and on our social media channels.  

The selection results will be announced in May 2026. All applicants will be informed of the selection results by email. Contact address for questions: performa@kcmd.eu.

Applicants must meet the following formal criteria:

• a commitment, declared in the application form, to implement the project in Ukraine;

• (for individuals) legal age (18 years or older);

• (for individuals) citizenship/residency in Ukraine;

• (for individuals who are not Ukrainian citizens) documented experience of active professional activity in Ukraine in recent years;

• (for legal entities) registration in Ukraine no later than 1 March 2025;

• (for legal entities submitting large projects) a commitment to involve an accountant in the project, signed by the head of the applicant organization and the accountant.

Applications will be evaluated according to the following qualitative criteria:

• previous experience in implementing projects in the sector (less relevant for small projects);

• project concept’s coherence, thoroughness, and relevance;

• budget’s feasibility and comprehensiveness (all key items of expenditure are covered);

• project plan’s feasibility, comprehensiveness, and thoroughness;

• vision of short- and long-term impact on the applicant's career and the cultural sector (the applicant's vision of where they are going professionally and how the proposed project will affect them personally and their professional community);

• innovation in approach;

• social inclusion and accessibility.