Ukraine's state budget–2026 allocates UAH 16.1 bln for culture
Ukraine's State Budget for 2026 provides UAH 16.1 billion in funding for the Ministry of Culture.
"The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has adopted the law 'On the State Budget of Ukraine for 2026.' Members of parliament supported the document at second reading. Next year, Ukraine's cultural sector will receive UAH 16,145.1 million… The ministry is demonstrating positive dynamics across all budget programs. Compared with 2025, planned expenditures are increasing by UAH 4,820.2 million, or 45%," the Ministry of Culture said in a statement.
A separate budget line allocates UAH 1.995 billion for salaries for employees in the cultural and education sectors, which is UAH 191.5 million more than in 2025.
"On average, spending on salaries will grow by 10.6%. Employees of pre-tertiary and higher education institutions will see the largest increase, with spending on their remuneration rising 1.4 times (+UAH 278.8 million)," the ministry added.
The Ministry of Culture said that in 2026 spending for cultural and educational institutions will increase as follows: pre-tertiary and higher education institutions will receive UAH 345.6 million (+31.8%); national theaters UAH 106.5 million (+8.5%); national artistic ensembles, concert and circus organizations UAH 67.5 million (+8.5%); general secondary and extracurricular education institutions UAH 32.9 million (+10%); national museums, libraries, and cultural and educational centers UAH 83.3 million (+7.2%); national and state reserves UAH 52.1 million (+6.8%).
"In 2026, the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation will receive UAH 338.2 million for grants and UAH 5 million for scholarships. The amount allocated for grants will increase 1.8 times (+UAH 154.9 million). An additional UAH 6.3 million is earmarked for the Ukrainian Book Institute to support publishing and promote Ukrainian literature worldwide. The Ukrainian Institute of National Memory will receive an additional UAH 26.0 million, 13.4 times more than in 2025," the statement said.
In addition, UAH 4 billion has been allocated for the Ukrainian president's program "1,000 Hours of Ukrainian Content."
"This is a strategic national security initiative designed to increase the amount of Ukrainian content, strengthen Ukrainian identity, enhance protection against hostile narratives, and create a Ukrainian alternative to Russian cultural influence, as well as support the development of the Ukrainian film industry. The technical aspects of implementing the project are still being worked out, and details will be presented later," the ministry said.
As reported, the 2024 state budget provided UAH 10.3 billion to finance the cultural and information policy sector, while the 2025 state budget allocates UAH 11.2 billion for culture.