Selected Projects of the RHIZOM/RAZOM Programme 2025/26
The Ukrainian Institute in Germany, in cooperation with NGO Insha Osvita, has completed the open call for applications within the programme “RHIZOM/RAZOM: Reinforcing Transregional Cultural Partnerships.”
Ukrainian and German NGOs, cultural and educational institutions were invited to submit joint project proposals for 2025/26 addressing the theme of decolonisation. Following the evaluation process, the finalists have now been selected and will begin implementing their projects in the upcoming programme cycle.
Finalists of the RHIZOM/RAZOM Programme 2025/2026
We are pleased to announce the finalists of the RHIZOM/RAZOM Programme 2025/2026. The following Ukrainian and German organisations have been selected to jointly implement innovative projects in the fields of culture, media, dialogue, and social development:
- NGO Ksi Prostir (UA) and Solomiya Magazin (UA/DE) and Pochen e.V. (DE)
Project: “Breaking the Deadlock” - NGO Sklad 2’0 (UA) and Vitsche e.V. (DE)
Project: “Residency ‘Foreign visitors’” - NGO MEDIA-CENTER UA (UA) and ABC Bildungs- und Tagungszentrum e.V. (DE)
Project: “Voices of the Future: Media Creators Residency in Hüll” - NGO Agency of Cultural Projects (UA) together with Futur3 – Theater (DE) and Sommerblut e.V. (DE)
Project: “RE-FORM. Performative Arts Lab” - Kmytiv Museum of Fine Arts named after Y. D. Buchanchuk (UA) and Kulturstiftung Haus Europa (DE)
Project: “Contested socialist heritage. XX Century Art in Contemporary Reflection” - Ukrainian Environmental Humanities Network (UA) and Korsi Berlin e.V. (DE)
Project: “Flow Lines: Stories Between Cherkasy and the GDR Dams” - Vinnytsia Regional Department of the All-Ukrainian Non-Governmental Organization ‘Ukrainian Library Association’ (UA) and Dialogkraft Europa e.V. (DE)
Project: “KARTA: An Annotated Map of Ukrainian Decolonial Thought”
About the funding programme
RHIZOM/RAZOM is the second edition of the cultural programme initiated by the Ukrainian Institute in Germany, with Insha Osvita joining as a key partner for the 2025–2026 cycle. The programme is funded by the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany.
RHIZOM/RAZOM is more than just a programme title — it symbolises our understanding of cultural partnership, cooperation, and joint development across borders.
The term ‘rhizome’ originates from botany and refers to an underground network of roots that spreads out in all directions without a central point. In philosophy, the term “rhizome” was adopted as a model for non-hierarchical, networked structures, symbolising openness, diversity and organic growth. This is precisely how we perceive international cultural relations: as an evolving network of individuals, ideas and experiences that strengthen each other.
‘Razom’ is the Ukrainian word for ‘together’. It represents the concepts of cooperation, togetherness, and solidarity — core values that underpin our initiative.
RHIZOM/RAZOM combines these two concepts: the decentralised, resilient network (RHIZOM) and the living community (RAZOM). The programme specifically promotes cooperation between Ukrainian and German NGOs, civil society as well as educational organisations in the cultural sector, aiming to build long-term partnerships, strengthen social dialogue, and work together towards an open, democratic future for Europe.
Objectives of the call
The programme supports projects that:
- build and strengthen Ukrainian-German partnerships, laying the foundation for long-term cooperation between the participants;
- engage the general as well as professional public in reflecting on democracy in Europe through the lens of decolonisation.
We understand decolonisation to include cultural, historical, and epistemic dimensions — e.g. projects that challenge inherited narratives, elevate marginalised voices, or address post-Soviet and post-colonial power structures in cultural contexts.
- enhance the resilience and capacity of regional NGOs and cultural/educational institutions in Germany and Ukraine.
- promote the exchange of expertise among artists, researchers, and cultural professionals from both countries.
Partners
The RHIZOM/RAZOM programme was initiated by the Ukrainian Institute in Germany in cooperation with Insha Osvita and is funded by the Federal Foreign Office.